Exhaust emissions warning light

**Victoria** · 18-06-2006,06:23 AM

My 2002 polo has been difficult to start recently when engine is still warm - OK from cold. Now the exhaust emissions warning light has come on. Would I be advised to take it to the VW dealer or my local garage which is literally a stone's throw away? Is it OK to drive the car far? - I don't want to cause more damage.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

**stuart** · 18-06-2006,07:12 PM

Hi, Sorry for the delay in the reply, just got back off holiday.

I would advise taking it to a garage, and avoid driving too much until you find out what has brought the light on. It could be a sensor faulty.

Any garage with the ability to plug the car into a diagnostic machine should be able to help.

Stuart

**Victoria** · 19-06-2006,09:19 AM

Many thanks, Stuart. Am now in the process of booking the car in with the dealer. Unfortunately our local garage does not have the facility to sort the problem out which is a real shame!

**Victoria** · 21-06-2006,09:25 PM

In case anyone is interested in the result of this problem - I collected my car today and apparantly it needed a new temperature sensor. All sorted now. I just hope this isn't the start of any more problems! I really would like to take the car in future to a more local garage rather than the dealer - is it likely that a local garage would have the computer equipment to sort out such problems or do they have to be left to the big dealers? Anyone else had experience of this?

**stuart** · 21-06-2006,09:50 PM

Originally Posted by Victoria

In case anyone is interested in the result of this problem - I collected my car today and apparantly it needed a new temperature sensor. All sorted now. I just hope this isn't the start of any more problems! I really would like to take the car in future to a more local garage rather than the dealer - is it likely that a local garage would have the computer equipment to sort out such problems or do they have to be left to the big dealers? Anyone else had experience of this?

Thanks for keeping us updated

For some reason, there is a common fault with some temperature switches on VW's. The common ome is a green 4 pin switch, which is a common failure for some reason.

You will find that most decent garages will have some form of diagnostic machine which will work OK, so there is no real need to go to a main dealer.

Stuart

**MissK** · 27-06-2007,02:30 PM

Hi Victoria, just read that you managed to get yours fixed, you said you took it the the VW dealer and they checked it. How much did this cost? My local VW dealer wants to charge me £105 just for the computer check alone, then god knows how much else on top for what ever is wrong with it?

i've read in other forums that it could be the Lambda Sensor Or the coils Or just the temperature gage?

But how much does it cost to find this out? I only bought the car over a week ago from a private seller...

not happy as my luck with cars is the worst

**Eshrules** · 27-06-2007,02:37 PM

Originally Posted by MissK

Hi Victoria, just read that you managed to get yours fixed, you said you took it the the VW dealer and they checked it. How much did this cost? My local VW dealer wants to charge me £105 just for the computer check alone, then god knows how much else on top for what ever is wrong with it?

i've read in other forums that it could be the Lambda Sensor Or the coils Or just the temperature gage?

But how much does it cost to find this out? I only bought the car over a week ago from a private seller...

not happy as my luck with cars is the worst

ok, if your fault turns out to be the temp sender/sensor/switch it is a doddle to fix and is easily identified, other than the emissions light, are there any other symptoms from the car? eg dodgy temp gauge?

if you like, to avoid the hefty diagnostics charge, let us know where you are and im sure someone could run one on your car for a beer.....

p.s i am based in stalybridge

**MissK** · 27-06-2007,02:49 PM

Hi Carl, nope, there are no other symptoms that i can tell, i've just recently taken it on a long drive and it was fine. Plus i've filled up petrol from both an Asda and Shell so it can't be the quality of petrol? The temperature gauge is always stright up in the middle which apparently is ok?

I live in the Midlands, Coventry so if you know anyone i could take it to it would be much appreciated, and your definitely talking me language when it comes to 'beer', that will be no problem with pleasure! :-)

**JamesC** · 10-08-2007,04:48 PM

I had my emissions light come on today while going through the wonderful M1 average speed camera bit near London. However, I've been told my exhaust is blowing a bit could that cause it? or is it best to take it somewhere to get it looked at? (1.2 Polo E 2002)

Thanks

**JamesC** · 14-08-2007,08:59 PM

just changed the lambda on my car, but warning light is still on. What is it likely to be?

My guesses: I didn't install it properly (although I did make sure all wires fitted properly and I can only see the connector part of it fitting one way).

fault with the dash light

what else could it be?

Thanks