The Control system for exhaust warning light on my Skoda Octavia 1,6 TDi Elegance 2011 hatchback came on in August 2018 and it went into limp mode. I had the catalytic converter replaced (Invoice relates to EGR Valve etc) replaced in September 2018. Nearly £600 including labour. I havent been using my car recently (due to Covid restrictions) so only using it on short runs. Today, on a short run, the warning light came on again. Didnt go into limp mode but light stayed on, even after restarting.  I can only hope that its not another problem with the catalytic converter - but its worrying. I was hoping someone on here could put my mind at rest on this. Could it be that it hasnt been used very much? Maybe a short run isnt heating up the engine/exhaust/etc  enough to ensure the cataltytic converter is working? Is there a simple soultion/resason? Or am I going to have to pay out another £600 or so to get it fixed?! Aaaaargh. Any comments would be useful. Thanks

UPDATE: Took the car for a 40 mile return trip down the local expressway. Kept it at a good 70 mph. Light still stayed on. No limp mode though. Doesnt look as if it is anything to do with fact that it hasnt had a long run over the Covid era. Still a puzzle - and a bit worrying

ANOTHER UPDATE: (Though not sure anyone is reading this....but who knows). Took it to my local garage. They couldnt determine the potential issue using their limited computer aided diagnostics. They took it  to a garage they use which has more sophisticated sodtware/analysis. Initial thoughts (although by no means conclusive) was that it might be something to do with one (or more) of four(?) sensors in the exhaust system. Got my car back but it has been booked in for more work (to check out that theory?) next Wednesday. Well, wwhen I used the car yesterday - the orange "Control system for exhaust" light (after displaying, as it should, when ignition on) then went out and stayed out. Fault cleared I thought. Hmmmm. Then, after about a mile, the "Glow Plug System" warning light started flashing orange. Car was still working fine though. Anyway, I stopped to do some shopping. When I started up again, all warning light now gone when car running - and havent been seen since. Very strange? Or does this point to what the problem is?

Charge the battery first.

 

Thanks, AG Falco

Thanks. Really? They dont seem to be related issues. Funnily enough I had a problem with my battery recently. Had some help on here when I posted a query in relation to it. Briefly - battery had run down due to not being used for weeks and weeks (Covid restrictions). I thought I had charged it up fully but it wouldnt hold the charge. Anyway, I was advised to REALLY charge it up - ensure on for hours to get maximum voltage. Since then it has been fine.

 

Are you saying these warning lights might just be a battery related issue?

Edited 28 March, 20215 yr by Wingreen
Corrected

All sensors require good voltage to return a good signal.

 

At work we have had lots of unrelated problems with a poor battery voltage producing warning lights.

Especially with the low usage of car at the minute.

 

So try to charge the battery first then clear the fault codes then drive the car.

 

You want the engine to get hot, not just a zip down the expressway at 70 MPG in top gear.

If you wanted to get hot you could try running up a mountain.

The same applies for a car engine, long hills in lower gears and higher revs gets them hot.

 

Thanks, AG Falco

5 minutes ago, AGFalco said:

All sensors require good voltage to return a good signal.

 

At work we have had lots of unrelated problems with a poor battery voltage producing warning lights.

Especially with the low usage of car at the minute.

 

So try to charge the battery first then clear the fault codes then drive the car.

 

You want the engine to get hot, not just a zip down the expressway at 70 MPG in top gear.

If you wanted to get hot you could try running up a mountain.

The same applies for a car engine, long hills in lower gears and higher revs gets them hot.

 

Thanks, AG Falco

Thank you so much. After your initial reply I did google the issue and, as you say, the first port of call should be to check the battery voltage (prime suspect given your reply and my recent issue with low battery voltage). Apparently second port of call could be to check alternator. Last port of call is anything that these warning lights might suggest - real risk of spending repair work money unnecessarily, especially if it only becomes a temporary fix, based on a reset.