Engine Check Lights
Put the key in the ignition and turn it until a row of information lights illuminate on the dashboard. Make sure you can see the anti lock braking system ABS light (1) and Air Bag light(2) come on, and then go off again after few seconds. The red engine oil pressure light(3) should also come on and then turn off again once the engine is started. Start the engine to make sure the light goes off.
Switch the ignition on and off a few times to make sure all is well.
It’s important that these lights do actually come on first and then turn off. An unscrupulous vendor selling a car with an ABS/Air bag/Engine fault may attempt to disguise it. Get in close and look closely at the instrument panel – the offending light bulb may have been removed, painted, or taped over to disguise the fault.
Engine Check
When the engine management system detects a fault in the ignition / fuel / emmisions of the vehicle it will show by illuminating the engine check light(examples shown to the left and right). As each car has its specific components and control system, the list possible faults are huge. The car should be connected to a diagnostic fault reading tool which will read the fault & display the result. Its then up to the mechanic to decide which part / parts should be checked, replaced or repaired. Its important to note that the fault displayed by the reader may be indicating a fault which is a secondary issue. Its common for poorly trained mechanics to change the part highlighted by the fault reader only to discover the fault returns when the part is replaced. As a rule though, if you do check a car over & see the light comes on, its safer to assume the current owner has investigated the fault & decided its easier to sell the car on. Buyer beware!
This is an example of a popular fault code reader I use myself. It will go into all the major control systems of Audi, VW, Seat and Skoda cars while also checking and erasing OBD faults on other makes. I have successfully used this on other makes including; Renault, BMW, Vauxhall. Highly recommended. You can get it here
While you’re in there, take a close look at the instrument panel. If someone has been tampering with the odometer they may have left some evidence. Look for hairs or fingerprints inside the instrument panel glass. It’s important to note that many modern cars with digital odometers do not need to have the instrument panel removed to adjust the mileage. Purpose-built handheld computers simply attach to the car’s diagnostic port and the clocker types in the new mileage – the job is done in a few minutes.
This makes your visual inspection of the interior all the more critical; one overly-worn area of the foot pedal, stitching on the seat starting to fray, the electric window switch worn more than the rest – any of these in isolation is enough to warrant closer inspection. As always when buying a car, if you have any doubt that all is not what it seems, use your gut instinct and walk away.
Information and Warning Light Summary
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Part 5 : The Engine
Index
