Warning lights issue

[PaulZZZ]

Hi all please be gentle my first post 😎

I’ve just taken ownership of my mother’s ( she’s stopped driving now she’s 91!) 2001 Fabia ELEGANCE 16V    56,000 miles only!

in pretty good condition seems to run and drive well passed recent MOT. Going to be my daughters first car at 17!

on checking it over, 

couple of warning lights came on driving it around power steering came on and went off briefly has done a couple times.

its off mostly.

Electronic Engine management system orange light is now on all the time it wasn’t on when the power assisted steering light was on.

its not in limp mode had it up to 70 seemed ok. I read in manual it’s nothing to do with the fluid.

 

I’m currently in Norfolk,, driving it back to Devon next week. Just wanted to know is this advisable given these warning lights are coming on?

or maybe I’m staying in Norfolk longer to get it sorted out… 

 

1 other issue seems to be common is the front electric windows don’t work.. I’ve done the manual check with key in door and drivers side goes up and down but not passenger?

 

Thanks for your expertise 

 

 

 

[Paws4Thot]

52 minutes ago, PaulZZZ said:

power steering came on and went off briefly has done a couple times.

Get it down home, then get a trusted local garage to do a deep load test on the battery; they may do this for free subject to you agreeing they get the business if it needs a new one.

[Breezy_Pete]

Get yourself set up with VCDS Lite (free download from ross-tech.com) and a suitable cheap KKL lead. 

Then you'll be able to read any and all fault codes that are causing the warning lights.

Does the battery light illuminate when ignition is switched on?

[PaulZZZ]

Thanks for the quick reply’s… the battery light comes on when ignition is switched on.

ill look into the VCDS lite cheers.

 

[sepulchrave]

A good long run will charge the battery if it's not knackered which should cure all the cars ills.

[PaulZZZ]

Update had friends of family visiting brought along the computer Xmas eve diagnosed a few things..

agr exhaust valve faulty is the engine management.. now cleared and hasn’t yet come back.

steering sensor fault also cleared hasn’t returned yet. Not sure what to do if that comes back again.

electric windows drivers door is switch faulty ordered new block from eBay £10!

passenger window totally dead checked wiring all looks ok. Maybe window motor?

 

 

[Breezy_Pete]

Have you checked the fuse for pass window? (And checked that it is in correct position?)

[PaulZZZ]

Checked the fuse looks ok although didn’t check it was in the correct place.

will check them over have actually now blown the red running light on door card messing about with it although couldn’t find the fuse which had blown.

the window supposedly stopped working when was being driven and stuck down someone helped get it back up at the time which was some years ago and taped it up and put a wedge in I’ve taken door card checked wiring all seems ok.

[Breezy_Pete]

Oh, OK, sounds like the wire rope or clips of the mechanicals of the window are that problem.

Listen for a click from the relay within the passenger motor module if you try to raise or lower it. That would confirm that the electrics are trying to move the glass, but can't. 

[PaulZZZ]

Update door window switch replaced drivers window now working!

passenger still dead no sounds or clicks can’t see any wire damage.. fuses all checked and in right place..

also now replaced egr valve as after the long run home the engine management light still came on..

I’ve got an obd reader and cleared fault  comes back on straight away with codes 402 403 407 all pointing to exhaust valve.. which I’ve replaced with a new one.. 

power steering light comes on occasionally then goes off again after restarting car… very intermittent.. I had found battery neg terminal was a bit loose but that hasn’t cleared it..

im thinking maybe battery isn’t great as general showing less than 12v (11.65)

[Breezy_Pete]

Yeah, that battery sounds like it's very end of life, unless you have a significant current drain.

[PaulZZZ]

1 minute ago, Breezy_Pete said:

Yeah, that battery sounds like it's very end of life, unless you have a significant current drain.

I’ll replace that I think I’m sure it’s not great.. hopefully that sorts power  steering .. but not sure about the exhaust valve issue unless that’s also battery drain?

[PaulZZZ]

What’s the sensor that comes from the EGR valve to the engine? Is that the DPE sensor?

can’t find what it is thought maybe that’s got something to do with the fault codes now?

[Breezy_Pete]

Not sure what you mean, got a pic?

 

[Paws4Thot]

54 minutes ago, PaulZZZ said:

What’s the sensor that comes from the EGR valve to the engine? Is that the DPE sensor?

can’t find what it is thought maybe that’s got something to do with the fault codes now?

Dunno, but "low voltage" can result in all sorts of errors which are cleared by a new battery and then clearing the fault codes.

 

I had the sprage clutch for the alternator on an Octavia 1 fail; fault codes generated included ABS sensor fails, radio and interior fan cancelled, issues with engine management and Climatronic... The cure was quite honestly just replacing the sprage clutch. So yes I find a suggested diagnosis of "duff battery" plausible.