Engine Management Light 4.2 D4D

[Pogle]

It was bound to happen I suppose.....it's come on. I know the subject has been done to death but do I

A. Buy a code reader and see what it reports?

B. Take it to a garage that can plug it in and read codes?

C. Kick things?

D. Go to the pub to consider things?

E. Do some basic checks myself?

If it's the last option what would people suggest is best place to start for somebody with common sense and some (but not a lot of) basic skills?

Pub is sounding favourite by a long chalk at this stage.

[Pogle]

The pub won. Will consider things properly in the morning when the fog of war might have lifted.

[flyboyprowler]

Yes, stay in the pub, prepare for news, if good, have more drinks, and if bad, have yet more drinks. Best of luck anyway!

[Pogle]

Common sense restored. I will get a code reader. Looking at a Maxiscan one on Amazon....only £14. My car is a 2004 D4D (facelift model) so from what I have read so far it should be OK but I note Anchorman has mentioned in another (similar) thread about someone else buying a code reader that was not compliant.

Anyone know if the one I have mentioned will do the trick?

Thanks

[Pogle]

Ordered it anyway....I am sure it will work on the Rav and will certainly be compliant with other (later) cars in the family. Might go and lift the bonnet up and poke around vaguely for a bit. Actually I will just check all obvious connectors/hoses etc at this stage pending arrival of the gadget.

[flyboyprowler]

If it's any help, Anch's recommended the CAN OBD2 Memoscanner, u480, which was dead cheap off e bay, and works a treat!

[Pogle]

Right result! Removed the air flow meter thingy and sprayed that to clean it up....popped it back in and no more warning light. I'm not sure whether that was the culprit or whether there was some other intermittent issue but all is well and the car drives as it should.

I intend not to meddle any more as it is now happy but out of interest will the ECU have stored the fault so I can find out what the problem was when I get my OBD reader?

[anchorman]

Yes it should store the code and yes, if yours has the round fog lights it should read it.

[Pogle]

The dashboard light has come back on again today whilst playing in the snow. Code reader not arrived yet and it will be at least a week before I can look at it again as I am buggering off to Greece for a week to get away from this weather. Engine not gone OK into limp mode so I resume it won't hurt to leave it until I get back?

[Pogle]

Code P0400 is the fault stored so it looks like cleaning the EGR valve is the next step. Will brake cleaner do it or does it need something specific? And it is safe to use a tooth brush to help remove the gunk?

[Davrav]

Brake or carburettor cleaner will do it AFIK but whatever you use, wear gloves and be careful not to get splattered in the face. If you use a toothbrush just make sure you rinse it before you let her have it back - it's a messy business................................