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warning light on mgtf
fazerruss - 9/3/09 at 08:21 AM

Hi all, Im hoping some one can help. This morning the engine warning light appeared on the other halfs MGTF , the symbol is the shape of an engine. According to the owners handbook it says if the light stays lit and does not flash just book a service appointment with your dealer. Im assuming it could just be a service interval warning light maybe timing belt renewal? The car runs fine and all other instruments show normal.If it is something like a reminder then how do you reset it? Cant find owt in the workshop manual about it ?
by the way its an 03 MGTF 1.6 (non vvc)
Thanks in advance
Russ

l0rd - 9/3/09 at 08:26 AM

Engine light as far as i know is due to Lambda sensor, or else known as oxygen sensor not workign properly.

Try disconecting and reconnecting the wirring plug nut wait for more comments




[Edited on 9/3/09 by l0rd]

britishtrident - 9/3/09 at 08:36 AM

If it is the Amber lamp with engine symbol It the MLF lamp --- As far as know the MGTF dosen't have a service indicator.

I would advise getting the fault codes read and cleared.

britishtrident - 9/3/09 at 08:38 AM

quote:
Originally posted by l0rd
Engine light as far as i know is due to Lambda sensor, or else known as oxygen sensor not workign properly.

Try disconecting and reconnecting the wirring plug nut wait for more comments




[Edited on 9/3/09 by l0rd]


Doing this won't clear fault codes on the Rover MEMS system --- the main effect will be that the security system ECU rolling codes will get out of synch with the key fobs -- which is something to avoid.where possible.

l0rd - 9/3/09 at 09:19 AM

Disconnecting and reconnecting the plug solved the engine management light coming on on jaguar X-type.
Hence saying to wait for more comments.

fazerruss - 9/3/09 at 09:33 AM

would it be worth fitting a new lambda sensor ?

owelly - 9/3/09 at 09:40 AM

Why splash out on a new o2 sensor if that isn't the problem? As BritishTrident says, find a friendly garage with a code reader.

britishtrident - 9/3/09 at 11:02 AM

quote:
Originally posted by fazerruss
would it be worth fitting a new lambda sensor ?


No Lambda faults very rarely raise a fault code.

The first thing to do is check the coolant and other fluid levels.
If I was to take a guess at the cause it would be the cam phase sensor or if the plugs weren't changed at the last service a spark plug causing an occasional misfire.
MG-Rover stretched the spark plug change interval on the MGTF, 75 and ZT to a ridiculous 60,000 miles( !) a little too far as a result misfire which start out as barely noticeable but get worse to the point where they destroy the coil pack are fairly common at anything over 30,000 miles.

While fitting a new set of plugs is a good idea --- if the engine has done more than 15,000 miles since the last plug change service and even more so if the official X-Part platinum plugs weren't fitted, to go blindly changing other components is a recipe for a very expensive and frustrating experience.

These days hand held scanners start at 13 pounds, a fairly decent one the U480 can be bought for les than 30 however it is worth 70 ponds or so for a scanner such as the U581 that will read live data.

Either of these scanners will work on other cars and will continue to work on cars you may have in the future.



[Edited on 9/3/09 by britishtrident]

l0rd - 9/3/09 at 01:13 PM

the incident i described was on a jag that had the sensor replaced at the dealers 6 months ago.

fazerruss - 9/3/09 at 01:44 PM

Ive just bought a set of plugs £26!
should be a good start as they are the only thing i didnt change when i last serviced it and the missus is clocking up quite high milage now.
Ill fit the plugs tonight which if you know the mgtfs its not so simple as an ordinary front engine car!
These scanners sound interesting,will they connect to most modern cars? if so i think it would be a good investment.
Wheres the best place to get one of these gizmos?

MikeRJ - 9/3/09 at 02:33 PM

quote:
Originally posted by fazerruss
Ive just bought a set of plugs £26!


That is not particularly expensive for long life platinum/iridium type plugs!

Lots of people on eBay sell universal code scanners, but the cost savings have to be offset against the risk of having stuff shipped from Hong Kong.

These people sell the kind of thing you would need for just a few quid more than eBay.

britishtrident - 9/3/09 at 07:41 PM

I used to buy my scanners from the US the Alpha-bid shop on ebay ( http://stores.ebay.co.uk/alpha-bid )but following the fall of the pound against the dollar (why? the US mortage market started it all !) you can get them cheaper from UK suppliers for the U581 see

http://www.arcadiaincar.com/

If you work on or are likely to own a VW or Audi then the slightly more expensive u585 is a better bet as in addition it does a lot of dealer level stuff on VW group cars.

Of course a lot of other scanners will read and clear codes but it is worth paying that little bit more for one that reads live data.

I am thinking of trading up a buying something much more expensive so my my pristine U581 might be up for sale at 50 pounds inc P&P

[Edited on 9/3/09 by britishtrident]

britishtrident - 9/3/09 at 07:48 PM

On my own family fleet I just use the standard NGK copper core plug listed for Rover 214Sei up to 1996 and change them every 12,000 miles.

If however if long life plugs are required either the official X-part platinum plugs or NGK irrifdium are fine --- but other plugs seem to cause problems on Rover engines with plug top coils.

fazerruss - 9/3/09 at 10:05 PM

Think i may look at getting a u585 cos the mother in law has a seat and the missus is planning on getting an audi tt next. At least it will have the engine in the front!
Ive fitted the new plugs and some leads (the old ones were cracked at the top) but the warning light remains on even though the engine runs sweet. Looks like ill need to reset it then?