Fabia 1.4 Control system for exhaust warning light

[siloko]

Repost after mistakenly posting in the introduce yourself forum!

Hi Skoda dudes!

First post. I recently (about 6 weeks ago) bought a 03 plate Fabia Comfort 1.4 16v 100BHP. I love it! I am a pretty conservative driver however this morning I had to break quite heavily after which the EPC and 'Control system for exhaust' warning lights came on. The car didn't go into 'safe mode'. After a while the EPC light went out but the 'Control system for exhaust' light remains on. I have power cycled the ignition a couple of times and the warning light goes off when I start the engine but immediately relights. The car is under a 3 month warranty from the dealers but it is a bit of a trek to get there, so is there anything I can do myself to check whether this is a genuine fault? Is it safe to drive the car without causing permanent damage? Apologies for the loads of questions but this is essentially my first car (aged 38!!).

Cheers

Stu

[fabdavrav]

Orange coloured engine warning lights that stay lit can only be erased with a fault code reader! Most of the time it is because the emmissions have temmperarily gone out of range! But there could be another Fault!! These cars do require running on Super unleaded (vpower), stay ontop of the oil and oil filter changes (best to use Mobil 1 0w-40w oil), use Wynns engine flush every time you do an oil change etc. These engines need to be taken on a long (20miles at 60mph) run on backcountry roads to work the engine. Don't use full power until warmed up, and if you have been on a "hot" run allaw it to cool down on idle for a few mins befor switching off!! (I think I'm going to have write an article on this!!!)

[siloko]

Orange coloured engine warning lights that stay lit can only be erased with a fault code reader! Most of the time it is because the emmissions have temmperarily gone out of range! But there could be another Fault!! These cars do require running on Super unleaded (vpower), stay ontop of the oil and oil filter changes (best to use Mobil 1 0w-40w oil), use Wynns engine flush every time you do an oil change etc. These engines need to be taken on a long (20miles at 60mph) run on backcountry roads to work the engine. Don't use full power until warmed up, and if you have been on a "hot" run allaw it to cool down on idle for a few mins befor switching off!! (I think I'm going to have write an article on this!!!)

Well that just about covers it!. Is it still ok to drive? Maybe 100 mile round trip tomorrow! I'll see if the dealer will have a look under warranty. Thanks for the excellent reply!

Stu

Edited 8 April, 2011 by siloko

[hap123ciu]

Check also if the brake pedal switch is working.The 'Control system for exhaust' warning light will turn itself off after a while if there is no error.If is not flashing is Ok to drive.

[siloko]

Check also if the brake pedal switch is working.

Hi, again, thanks for the reply. How do I check the pedal switch?

[anewman]

Look for correct operation of brake lights also replace any dud brake light bulbs (in fact replace any dud bulbs, but replacing brake light ones might just help make the thing disappear).

[siloko]

UPDATE:

I got in my Fabia after work and the warning light was extinguished. I had previously checked at lunchtime (4 hours after the heavy braking incident which caused the original warning light) and it was still lit so I presumed it was a fault that needed rectifying so called the dealers. Hawkes Motors in Bury St.Edmunds were excellent offering to have a look at the car without any hesitation (it was about 8 weeks into a three month warranty). However on finding the warning light extinguished I asked advice and they said it should be ok, but if I have any problems to bring it in. I drove about 120 miles in the last 24 hours and she drove beautifully, no warning lights, no problems. So fingers crossed the warning was a temporary one which hopefully won't reoccur any time soon. I post this just in case anyone has a non-flashing 'Control System for Exhaust' warning light - don't panic, it may go out all by itself (I am not a mechanic!).