car with a spanner in it!

**WESTYTWO** · 13th November 2006, 22:40

Just been reading a thread about a picture of a car with a spanner in it coming on when starting the engine, when i start my car the same symbol comes on for a few seconds and then goes out. Does this mean my cars in limp mode? the cruise control has stopped working, the car can be difficult to start when hot and the other day the engine cut out. Fuel economy is also quite poor 144 miles to 3/4 of a tank! (round town driving mainly,yes its a 2.2 but i have been driving it like an old man

). I bought the car from Arnold Clarke who serviced it before collection (oil change only) mileage 39560 however when i was reading the service book i noticed that at 40000 miles the car is due for a cambelt change, spark plugs etc!!! Is this correct and should this work have been carried out by Arnold Clarke who apparently service there vehicles to manafacturers specification!! Any ideas guys???????

**plasma** · 13th November 2006, 22:42

If it goes out after starting the engine it means it has reported a fault to the ecu but not serious enough to warrant it to go into limp home mode. Where the light would stay on... Trip to stealers i'm afraid to find out what fault code it logged..

**WESTYTWO** · 13th November 2006, 22:47

Cheers plasma,

Have booked the car in to go back to Arnold Clarke as its under there 30 day warranty hopefully they will resolve the problem although i am not holding my breathe will keep you posted....

**Gsi3.2** · 13th November 2006, 22:50

right..tooo many questions... the 2.2 doesn't have a belt, so they wouldn't have changed it..the light coming on means that the car has logged some fault codes, but they are not live, so not to worry on that one.. cruise control is normally the brake pedal or clutch pedal switch.. the fuel economy needs looking at as it is a bit steep..not majorly excessive as the 2.2 isn't much better on fuel round town than the 3.2... (we've had both..) i'd start with thourough servicing..make sure it's all as it should be..

Arnold clarke aren't the best for service i'm afraid and to hear that they have only changed the oil rather than do a major service early isn't a shock to me...i'd give them a call and ask them to have it back and do the job to service schedule...

**WESTYTWO** · 13th November 2006, 22:59

Cheers Mark

would i be right in assuming the 2.2 has a timing chain instead? If so, i take it that it wont require any attention for a long while...Do you think the fault on the cruise control something that should be fixed under warranty? Its due to go back on Thursday so i will now more then.

**Gsi3.2** · 14th November 2006, 08:21

the cruise control fault is definatly a warranty fix, give them something to do..

The chain is a fit and forget.. i'll rattle like a nutter well before it needs changing.. don't worry...