MIL lamp and now buzzing under the bonnet!!!
Discussion
Help please! I recently bought my 4.5ltr 2000 chimaera but on the way home couldn't find a petrol station that did super and had to let her drink regular unleaded. The car has run fine since with the exception of the MIL light glowing on the dash. This happened maybe one or two hundred miles after filling up with regular.
Firstly, the service book says that the MIL light indicates a problem with either the injection or emission systems. Is putting regular unleaded in a reason for the MIL light to come on? if so what do i need to do to fix it?
Second, I thought I'd do a quick check of the connections on the ignition coil, HT leads and lambda sensors but found nothing wrong. Since doing this, I've noticed a buzz coming from under the bonnet! It seems to happen every time I turn the key to the off position, whether I've started the engine or not. The buzzing lasts about a second or two and seems to be coming from under the power steering top up tank (or somewhere around between the rocker covers). Any ideas anyone?
Firstly, the service book says that the MIL light indicates a problem with either the injection or emission systems. Is putting regular unleaded in a reason for the MIL light to come on? if so what do i need to do to fix it?
Second, I thought I'd do a quick check of the connections on the ignition coil, HT leads and lambda sensors but found nothing wrong. Since doing this, I've noticed a buzz coming from under the bonnet! It seems to happen every time I turn the key to the off position, whether I've started the engine or not. The buzzing lasts about a second or two and seems to be coming from under the power steering top up tank (or somewhere around between the rocker covers). Any ideas anyone?
The buzzing on key off is probably nothing more than the stepper motor (idle valve) returning to its parked position... this is on the rear of the plenum, accessed from the driver's side.
Can't see any reason for the MIL light coming on associated with using regular unleaded. It probably indicates the presence of a faultcode that could be read with an approriate reader... maybe someone near you has one. Simply re-setting the ECU by unplugging it for a few minutes will probably get rid of the light (and the code) although both may return if there was some fault giving rise to the same. That said, I once had a strange code show up that didn't correspond to any real fault I could find from the display and it reset with no repeat performance. Worth investigating as you might find the ECU is in limp mode which will harm performance and fuel usage.
Can't see any reason for the MIL light coming on associated with using regular unleaded. It probably indicates the presence of a faultcode that could be read with an approriate reader... maybe someone near you has one. Simply re-setting the ECU by unplugging it for a few minutes will probably get rid of the light (and the code) although both may return if there was some fault giving rise to the same. That said, I once had a strange code show up that didn't correspond to any real fault I could find from the display and it reset with no repeat performance. Worth investigating as you might find the ECU is in limp mode which will harm performance and fuel usage.
It sounds like an ECU fault to me. I bought a spare a couple of years ago with very similar symptoms, the only difference being the car would start but as soon as the throttle was touched the engine would stop, the MIL would come on and the stepper motor would permanently buzz. Problem solved as soon as I reconnected the original ECU.
It may be worth checking the ECU connector is clean and dry (as that's a lot cheaper than replacing it).
It may be worth checking the ECU connector is clean and dry (as that's a lot cheaper than replacing it).
I think only the MA chipped cars have working MIL lights, and the TVR ones are either not connected or just flag the inertia switch operation (which wont be active if you are running). If it really is a fault check the stepper motor, this should only 'whirr' for a few seconds when switching on the ignition whilst it cycles - if it is 'whirring' for longer it might be dud.
spend said:
I think only the MA chipped cars have working MIL lights, and the TVR ones are either not connected or just flag the inertia switch operation (which wont be active if you are running).
His is a 2000 car with both a MIL and an inertia switch warning lamp. Both are present and working in my slightly earlier (1999) unmodified car.I would agree with the sound probably being the stepper motor returning to it's "park" position or trying to! As for the MIL light just disconnect the ecu for a while to clear any stored faults, reconnect it and see if the MIL light comes back on (presuming the MIL light does come on for code 02 ?!?!?!) If the light doesn't come back on then good for you. If it does come back on just pop the car down to someone with a code reader (do you have a lucas centre near by?) and get the code read. You may find its a code 48 (knackered stepper motor) that would explain both your problems.
Where abouts are you as I have a code reader
Where abouts are you as I have a code reader
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