Emission Control warning light

**allanmb** · 30-11-2010,10:37 AM

I just got back from taking my eldest to nursery and noticed that my emission control warning light has come on. Does anyone know what might cause this?

(The weather here has been horrendous and we have over a foot of snow. I reversed out of my drive and could have got snow in my exhausts if that is a possibility?)

Cheers
Allan

**bez101** · 30-11-2010,10:41 AM

could be a few things
get the codes read and take it from there

**allanmb** · 30-11-2010,10:45 AM

Originally Posted by bez101

could be a few things
get the codes read and take it from there

Do you think I should take it to the dealer to do that? Or get someone with the hardware to do it? Does anyone here have the hardware in the Newcastle/Durham area?

Cheers
Allan

**iwaters** · 30-11-2010,10:56 AM

The emissions control light is what used to be called the MIL or CEL. Whatever you call it it means there is a fault logged in the ECU that requires attention.

I wouldn't take it to a main dealer to get it scanned, they will charge you £90, find a friendly local with VCDS or go to an independant garage. Most will only charge around £30. Make sure you get a print out of all the error codes.

**allanmb** · 30-11-2010,11:31 AM

If I were to buy one of these myself, would this suffice:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=220703535337
or
http://www.ecrater.co.uk/p/6206725/v...ds-106-hex-can
???

**iwaters** · 30-11-2010,11:35 AM

Yes providing they say it is compatable with your car. The Ebay leads can be troublesome but I have one and it works fine on my car.

There is a free version of VCDS-Lite, or you can register it for £50. The registered version gives you access to all the fault code descriptions, allows you to do a full scan and allows you to turn off the light. If you get one do a scan and post the results on here and we will see what we can make of them

**allanmb** · 30-11-2010,11:39 AM

Originally Posted by iwaters

Yes providing they say it is compatable with your car. The Ebay leads can be troublesome but I have one and it works fine on my car.

There is a free version of VCDS-Lite, or you can register it for £50. The registered version gives you access to all the fault code descriptions, allows you to do a full scan and allows you to turn off the light. If you get one do a scan and post the results on here and we will see what we can make of them

Sorry, I think I edited my post whilst you were replying. I found a VCDS-lite (the ebay link) and another one based in China which is VCDS 10.6. What is the difference between the two?
Cheers
Allan

**iwaters** · 30-11-2010,11:56 AM

The one in China is a cloned copy of the full version of VCDS. It is a pirate copy. It probably wont work and may even knacker your car.

Personally I would avoid it like the plague. Not least for the fact that Ross Tech (who make VCDS) already provide a free version of the software, and you can register it to unlock the other features for £50. Most other diagnostic software costs a hell of a lot more than this so it is worth supporting them and not buying clones.

The other one is a generic cable that works with the cut down version of VCDS, which is called VCDS-Lite. This should be sufficient for your needs.

**allanmb** · 30-11-2010,01:16 PM

Originally Posted by iwaters

The one in China is a cloned copy of the full version of VCDS. It is a pirate copy. It probably wont work and may even knacker your car.

Personally I would avoid it like the plague. Not least for the fact that Ross Tech (who make VCDS) already provide a free version of the software, and you can register it to unlock the other features for £50. Most other diagnostic software costs a hell of a lot more than this so it is worth supporting them and not buying clones.

The other one is a generic cable that works with the cut down version of VCDS, which is called VCDS-Lite. This should be sufficient for your needs.

Thanks for the information. I have ordered the VCDS-Lite cable. Do you think I should be able to run my car until it arrives? I would only be doing short journeys and not on motorway.

Cheers
Allan

**iwaters** · 30-11-2010,02:14 PM

Originally Posted by allanmb

Thanks for the information. I have ordered the VCDS-Lite cable. Do you think I should be able to run my car until it arrives? I would only be doing short journeys and not on motorway.

Cheers
Allan

I wouldn't like to say really. It depends on what the fault codes are.