My first posting

I have just bought a 1.4 Fabia - Y Reg - one owner with full dealer service history

Problem - the Engine Management Light is always on.

The previous owner pointed it out to me and said that it was "temperamental" and had been like that for a few years.

The dealer has never sorted it out properly

About once a week it also stalls "on the move" - the revs drop to zero - but within a second it is back to normal with the engine running fine

Anyone any idea?

No idea mate, but -

The engine management light is there to indicate a problem and should be checked. This can be by a dealer or 3rd party garage or by someone who has VAG-COM.

Once the code has been read from the ECU the guessing game should be a little easier.

IIRC (and I probably don't! ) it's likely to be either the coolant temp sensor or the crank position sensor ... best get the fault codes read off and see if they reveal anything

Chris

No idea mate' date=' but -

The engine management light is there to indicate a problem and should be checked. This can be by a dealer or 3rd party garage or by someone who has VAG-COM.

Once the code has been read from the ECU the guessing game should be a little easier.[/quote']

If I want to try to check this myself - for starters can I use the free software on the VAG-COM site plus an aftermarket lead and my laptop

I do not want to go the full $250 route at this time - any ideas where I could get a cheaper lead to that would give me some idea of where the problem lies - plus being able to clear the fault to see it occurs again

Thanks

I do not want to go the full $250 route at this time - any ideas where I could get a cheaper lead to that would give me some idea of where the problem lies - plus being able to clear the fault to see it occurs again

Have a look in the Diagnostics & VAG-COM forum.

If I want to try to check this myself - for starters can I use the free software on the VAG-COM site plus an aftermarket lead and my laptop

Yes you could.

Thanks - sorted

Cable from Ebay - search VAG COM - seem to be from everywhere except the UK - £20 including postage

Software from the Ross site - free shareware version

Connect thru USB socket and Serial plug under dash

Ignition on but engine not running

Let the software run - could take some time

Then the fun begins

Thanks again

Not quite.

The freeware is a limited version and will not scan all of the controllers at once.

So it is a matter of running the software a number of times

There also seems to be other software around - I saw this on EBay, e.g. ProDiag and VAG Diagnose.

Does all software use the same fault code numbers as ????? ..........or VAG COM the stuff designed by Uwe M. Ross.

or is there some reference material that links the the various applications

Interesting all this - do you know if there is a similar product for BMW Bikes - later models?

VAG-COM is the best for VAG applications.

You will have the abilty to scan a number of controllers and then scan some individually.

Thanks Stu, Denis and Chris for your help

This stuff was new to me until this afternoon

Cheers

Thanks Stu' date=' Denis and Chris for your help

This stuff was new to me until this afternoon

Cheers[/quote']

No problem, we aim to please

If you've had good advice and saved a few