Malfunction indicator light on, advice needed!!

[Stretch]

Drove my car about a mile to my local cashpoint, started her up after withdrawing some cash and the engine cut out at the next junction, (dont think it stalled but not 100% sure on that). Restarted the car no problem but the malfuction indicator light lit up on the dash. Continued on my 40 mile journey and the car drove fine albeit with the light continuing to be illuminated, the only irregularity I noticed was that the mpg reading on the trip computer was a little random showing a slightly higher than expected reading and fluctuating more than usual. Any ideas on what the problem may be and how urgent is it to get professional diagnosis?

[UNABASHED]

have you checked what code is being thrown up?

[Stretch]

Excuse my ignorance but how do you access the code?

[UNABASHED]

http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/ECU_Reset

 

Confirm that accelerator pedal is fully released, turn ignition switch ON and wait 3 seconds.

Repeat the following two procedures quickly five times within 5 seconds:

Fully depress the accelerator pedal (HARD).

Fully release the accelerator pedal.

Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for approx. 10 seconds until the CEL starts blinking.

Fully release the accelerator pedal (while the CEL is still blinking)

Wait about 10 seconds.

Fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for more than 10 seconds.

Fully release the accelerator pedal (The CEL light will continue to blink).

Turn ignition switch to OFF position and now you can start the car. The CEL light should be gone.

[SunGodRA]

http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/ECU_Reset

 

Confirm that accelerator pedal is fully released, turn ignition switch ON and wait 3 seconds.

Repeat the following two procedures quickly five times within 5 seconds:

Fully depress the accelerator pedal (HARD).

Fully release the accelerator pedal.

Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for approx. 10 seconds until the CEL starts blinking.

Fully release the accelerator pedal (while the CEL is still blinking)

Wait about 10 seconds.

Fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for more than 10 seconds.

Fully release the accelerator pedal (The CEL light will continue to blink).

Turn ignition switch to OFF position and now you can start the car. The CEL light should be gone.

 

Not sure its wise to just reset the ECU - the error warning is there for a reason. You will need an OBDII scanner to see what the error is - this device plugs in just below and to the right of the steering wheel (most garages/mechanics will have one). Check error code again the list posted. If there is no error code, then it should be safe to reset the ECU as described as above. Very often the error is something non-vital and normally electrical, but it could be something serious so get it checked with a scanner

[UNABASHED]

if you read the link it tells you how to read the code before resetting it, also has a list of the codes. No need for a OBDII reader in most cases

[SunGodRA]

if you read the link it tells you how to read the code before resetting it, also has a list of the codes. No need for a OBDII reader in most cases

 

Where does it say that

 

In the first paragraph it says: "You will need an OBDII scanner in order to pull the error codes"

 

Cant see any other reference - unless I am being totally blonde tonight

[UNABASHED]

the bit that says there are 2 ways to get codes, either using a scan tool or by using the manual method

[SunGodRA]

the bit that says there are 2 ways to get codes, either using a scan tool or by using the manual method

 

Thats CLEARING CODES

 

quote "Clearing Codes

 

There are several ways to clear ECU error codes.

 

Scan Tool

If using a scan tool, follow tool manufacturer’s instructions to clear Codes.

 

Manual Method..."

[UNABASHED]

GOOD GOD MAN!!!!

 

Edited for clarity!!!!!!!!!

 

Confirm that accelerator pedal is fully released, turn ignition switch ON and wait 3 seconds.

Repeat the following two procedures quickly five times within 5 seconds:

Fully depress the accelerator pedal (HARD).

Fully release the accelerator pedal.

Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for approx. 10 seconds until the CEL starts blinking.

 

**at this point you need to count the CEL light flashes, think it starts by falshes 10 times slowly to indicate it is beginning then faster for the code. For example if it flashes 10 times slowly, 3 times fast, 2 times fast, 5 times fast 10 times slow then the code would be 325, then just match to the code list.

 

 

Fully release the accelerator pedal (while the CEL is still blinking)

Wait about 10 seconds.

Fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for more than 10 seconds.

Fully release the accelerator pedal (The CEL light will continue to blink).

Turn ignition switch to OFF position and now you can start the car. The CEL light should be gone.

[SunGodRA]

mate - I wasn't being pedantic but your previous post or link didn't show that info so the OP wouldn't have understood etc

 

******at this point you need to count the CEL light flashes, think it starts by falshes 10 times slowly to indicate it is beginning then faster for the code. For example if it flashes 10 times slowly, 3 times fast, 2 times fast, 5 times fast 10 times slow then the code would be 325, then just match to the code list.********

 

 

[Stretch]

Thanks for the info guys. Drove the 40 miles back from Chester this morning and it drove fine so not unduly concerned. Spoke to a chap at work who's pretty clued up and he reckons a likely cause may have been a coil pack problem resulting in a misfire. Will get my mechanic pal on the case to have a look at it

[UNABASHED]

why not find out what the code is then you know for sure??

[Stretch]

Taking it round to my mates tonight and he's going to use the info you posted to obtain the fault code. The cars running fine so hopefully it'll be something trivial. Big thanks for the info mate