[Gavin Holt]

Hi everyone,

I'm one of the administrators of the forum and I was just wondering whether anyone can help me out?

I've got a VW Polo and the other day a warning light flashed up (The Eng Management Light signalling emmission warning). I just phoned up my local VW dealer and they said it would cost £45 + VAT just to hook up to the computer and diagnose.

They asked if the light was solid or flashing? If solid it's ok to drive still, if flashing not. My light is solid so it made me think - could I just be paying them to turn off a light?! Could anyone help me out? Is there a cheaper way I could this? or a way of diagnosing myself?

Car details are VW Polo 1.4 SE (5 door), 03 Reg and I live near Stockport.

Many thanks,
Gavin

[Waggy]

If the light is on permanently my advice is to take it seriously, most garages are able to read the codes, (not just dealers) if the light is on there is definately a fault, an emission fault could damage the catalytic converter if it is left for a long time.

Many indipendent garages will only charge around £25.00 to read a code.

BTW, you can not put the light out if there is a fault, it has to be fixed first.

[Gavin Holt]

Thanks

thanks waggy... think i'll just have to swallow the cost!

[haggis@home]

if you have rac cover we carry a lap top to plug in to the car ....

cost = free :)

[Rich9]

I also had the emissions warning light display continuously on a VW Polo 1.4 SE ('53 Reg). It was fixed by a VW main dealer, but it turned out to be a fault with the brake switch.

You'd think there were more appropriate warning lights to show for that.:)

[Hometune]

This is a good point for the DIY brigade out there.
Many diesels, especially Vauxhall and Volkswagen, will show the engine management light if the brake pedal switch is faulty. They are notoriously poor on VWs.

If the engine light comes on have someone press the pedal and check the brake lights are working. Even if just one bulb is out the management light will come on.

The switch is situated halfway up the brake pedal and a simple twist to remove and refit.

[Hometune]

The reason the engine light comes on for a brake fault is that the engine computer shuts down the fuel when you brake. It's a safety issue.

[DriveBy]

Originally Posted by Hometune

The reason the engine light comes on for a brake fault is that the engine computer shuts down the fuel when you brake. It's a safety issue.

I just replace by break light switch since my EPC was on and now the EPC light has cleared :)... Soon after I drove the vehicle after about 5mins the engine management light came up.. I am Pissd off now.. :mad::eek::eek: If this is to do with the engine computer shuting down how can I get this fixed and how much will it cost me?

P:S will it clear the engine light if I take off the brake switch and put it in again ?

[Hometune]

These brake switches can be a pain as when you turn it to hold it in position an internal mechanism locks the plunger. May be worth trying again. There is a step by step instruction on one of the VW sites because of the trouble this thing causes. Ensure both brake bulbs are okay.
Incidentally, this light can be caused by just about anything connected to the engine and VW have problems with coolant temp sensors, coils and EGR valves. If you are sure the brake switch is sorted may be time for a diagnostic plug in.
When I say computer shuts down, I mean the fuel supply is reduced when you brake. It doesn't shut down completely. Hope that's clear.

[DriveBy]

Yeah all the brake light are working fine.. Well I will have to do a diagnostic check I guess... Well I just hope there is nothing wrong... I cant be spending on sensors like this... Do golf's have less hassle copared to polo's ??

[DriveBy]

Originally Posted by Hometune

These brake switches can be a pain as when you turn it to hold it in position an internal mechanism locks the plunger. May be worth trying again.

Guess what the engine light has disappeared!!! HURRRAHH!!! :rolleyes:;):rolleyes: Well just got into the car this morning and I didnt notice until about 2mins passed anyway guess it was the ****** vw comp.. something must have trigged when replacing the brake switch..

Well all is good now!!

[Hometune]

About the same :rolleyes:.
As the fault comes on after a few minutes, this could point to the coolant temp sensor as the engine warms up. Its a simple job as its held in place by a plastic 'U' shaped clip that you simply pull out. The sensor pushes straight in. Its on the thermostat housing above the gearbox at the front on most VWs. They cost between £15 and £30 at the dealer (cheaper elsewhere) but make sure you get the right one. The plastic part is either green, black or brown and while they all fit, the connectors are different.
Another favourite is the EGR valve but as they cost a lot of money, you would need to have a diagnostic done.
One thing you can check for free is the engine breather pipe that comes uo the back of the engine on the driver's side and goes into the air filter housing. They are bad for collapsing and perishing or being chafed through. Any damage here will throw the light on too.
Also, the vacuum pipe (black plastic) that runs along the back of the engine to the brake servo is prone to splitting at the ends allowing an air leak. This also puts the light on.

[stel2410]

Hi My emissions warning light comes on for a day or two generally when its been raining or when I have only done a few short trips then going off once i start to rev the heck out of it and take it down the motorway. I heard revving it will help as there could be some gunk stuck in the exhaust or in the engine, It goes off as i said once I rev it can anyone help do i need this chekced out or am i alright driving it as there are no other problems with performance it drives brilliantly with the light on and off , cant really afford rip off kwik fit or the VW dealerships

[Hometune]

Short trips will cause carbon build up in the throttle body and EGR system. If the light goes off and the car runs okay leave it for now. If it comes on and stays on, time for the inevitable plug in with the scanner.

[stel2410]

what do you mean plug in with the scanner sorry if im being daft but i dont get it ? so as long as it goes off there are no real issues, if it was constantly on would it be an absolute catastrophe if i drove around for a few weeks with it on ?? thanks

[wagolynn]

It depends on you being prepared to pay for a new engine...

[stel2410]

so this could ruin my whole engine, but there is no performance issue at all it drives smoothly the engine and exhaust sound fine, just that bleedin light comes on every now and then, can be a case of a faulty wire or is there something majorly wrong with my car ?? ? as it sounds as good as ever and no jittering when moving up gears

[Hometune]

Originally Posted by stel2410

what do you mean plug in with the scanner sorry if im being daft but i dont get it ?

A scanner is a term used for a diagnostic check done with an electronic tool that communicates with the computer that runs the engine on your car. This is how garages detect the faults. The light indicates a possible malfunction somewhere in the injection system and also indicates that a fault code has been logged in the computer's memory. By interrogating the memory it is possible to obtain the codes and then use them to find and fix the fault.

Ignore the nonsense posted by Wagolynn. If the light goes off on its own then there is no fault at that time. It is obviously advisable to have a diagnostic check done to see what the problem is but it is not an emergency by any means. Is that clearer now?

[stel2410]

great thanks as long as my car isnt gonna die on me in the next couple of weeks !!

I tend to just have to give it a good rev then the light disappears !!

[stel2410]

vw polo silver tube ??

Can anyone help, there is a silver aluminium like tube that runs from the bottom near the altenator to the top of the car on top of the fan ( i think ) it comes from the bottom of the car under my bonnet to the top and has ridges, its basically a silver pipe it looks like this is going to split in part what is this aluminium tube ??

[Hometune]

Silver or aluminium pipes are usually aircon pipes.