Illuminated engine symbol was on the dash

[Cecil]

Hi,
2002 X308 XJR, I parking up at the airport yesterday, I noticed that an illuminated engine symbol was on the dash, I turned off and restarted the car, no “CHECK ENGINE” but the engine symbol remained illuminated after everything else went off. I checked the oil level, no problem, all the belts seem fine, battery is fairly new. I do not have an OBDII scanner with me and need to pick the car up tomorrow and get it home.

Is it safe to drive the 60 Miles home, should I get it trailered?

Does anyone know if the RAC would attend and read the fault codes to say whether it is safe to drive?

many thanks in advance

Cecil

[triggersbroom]

Sorry it's a bit late. You should be fine; just take it easy.

A common reason for the light to come on is one of the lambda sensors packing up.

[The Leaper]

Had this problem recently on the S-Type and a new lambda sensor was required.

R

[Cecil]

Many thanks; serendipity took me back to a different airport to where the car is, going up to get it this week with my scanner.

[Cecil]

I scanned it tonight and guess what, it was the lambda , reset the code and the light has not come back

[The Leaper]

C,

Just a follow up to your post immediately above and my earlier one about my S Type.

I had the same problem with the dash light appearing. A JMD checked it and reported it was the lambda. They recommended that they ordered the new sensor and then I should take the car to them to look at the problem then if necessary they could fit the new part. This I did. They called me to say the sensor was faulty so a new one was fitted.

As an aside, 2 years ago I was travelling back from Le Mans with my son in his Merc CL500 when it failed near Calais. The bottom line was an unscheduled overnight stop in Calais, a new lambda sensor for his car the next day and a bill of around £800.

R.

[Cecil]

Thanks, what happened with the Merc when it failed was it undriveable ?

[The Leaper]

C,

'Twas an interesting experience!

The first time the sensor failed we were close to Le Shuttle terminal entering single carriage way roadworks and the engine failed completely. We created something of a road block! Five minutes later the engine fired up and we were going again and we got to Le Shuttle termnal wnen it failed again. We ended up with the Merc on the back of a transporter being taken out of the back door of the terminal to a Merc dealer in Boulogne. The repair was done the following day.

So, the sensor was failing and the engine stopped. A little later it would be OK for a short while. This was repeated.

Hope this helps.

R.

[Cecil]

Many thanks, it is the second time in a year that I have seen the fault, I will get it looked into in a couple of weeks when I have my winter service. Previously I have had it before on a couple of different cars and as well as the lambda being at fault it has been a variety of things other things as well, split vacuum hoses, exhaust manifold problems etc.

[The Leaper]

C,

I think the cost of the new lambda fitted to my S-Type by the JMD I use was around £480 all up. I don't have the bill as the work was done under my extended warranty.

R.