Fabia 1.2htp 64bhp 2004

The EML light (Yellow engine symbol) came on after washing the car and wheels which were caked in salt. However car runs perfectly, and the brake lights work, performance and economy all as before. Skoda dealer quoted £58 just for a scan. (I thought diagnostics were to help the dealer, not to rip off the consumer)

Before I decide whether to buy a VAGCOM lead or unit, I thought I might disconnect the car battery for 30 minutes and see if that clears the EML.

Will I upset anything by disconnecting the battery? I seem to remember the dealer saying that the radio is coded to the ECU and doesnt need its own reset code. Am I right?

Or am I completely wrong about this pesky EML?

Any recommendation as to which lead or unit to buy?

Edited 17 March, 201016 yr by xman

All the battery will do is cause the clock, and any readings such as the MPG etc to be reset. The radio (assuming it's a standard one) will be fine, but may need presets changing again, but I think it stores them.

It may make the light go away, and so might just leaving it. I've also heard turning the ingition on, off, on, off etc about 20 times can clear some fault codes, depending upon if the fault is still present or not. If it drives ok, I'd be inclined to leave it until MOT time, and take action then if it's needed.

It may also mess up the one touch electric windows but this is easy to fix as per the manual.

You can get devices that trickle current into the electrics via the ciggy lighter while the battery is disconnected... have used a couple before that run off a 9 volt battery, seemed to do the job nicely.

Didn't bother last time, car was fine although the wipers twitched when i reconnected the battery up

Whoops should of read your post fully, this is a bit pointless lol

Edited 17 March, 201016 yr by Confused_Cheese

hiya mate, i own a garage in birmingham, we do diagnostics and its £30. if your not in birmingham take the battery lead off and it should delete fault.

not much help but every little counts

Will I upset anything by disconnecting the battery? I seem to remember the dealer saying that the radio is coded to the ECU and doesnt need its own reset code. Am I right?

As has been said, you'll lose your trip computer data, and the time. The radio will be fine, although switch the ignition on before switching the radio on to allow it to re-communicate with the ECU (otherwise you'll get prompted for a code - if that happens, just switch it off and do the ignition).

Just a note to say that the EML light went out of its accord after a couple of days. Must have been a momentary fault caused by my enthusiastic hosing down!

The moral of the story is, if the car runs OK, then dont go running straight away to your dealer if the EML light comes on. Give the car some time to determine if it is a hard fault - it may just go away!