Warning light displays and then clears

[ejit]

Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone had any experience of what this might be: I have a 2003C 2.2 dti and recently a warning light on the rev counter displays after start up, then disappears after a minute or so of me running the car. The warning light is a spanner and car. I have looked in the manual and it suggests that it is an electrical programme and the car switches to an emergency running programme, which can affect my consumption. I have been checking consumption over the past week and there has been no difference. I don't want to have to pay for a diagnostic as they are so expensive-any ideas?
could this be related to my turbo cutting out sometimes under loading, which brings up the same display and is only resetted and turbo working again if i turn the engine off?
i have basic level car knowledge and will do most work myself if i do not need specialised equipment.

thanks

[tony-1977]

Faulty glow plug(s)

[Chris SRi]

As above, sounds like one or more is faulty. Need to get the codes read really to confirm though.

[Woody]

Well apart from the expert advice of the mass of experienced Vec-C owner/driver/mechanics on here, a diagnostic reader can be had very cheaply for your car. Depending on type/make/model , you can get one for under £20. A sound investment when you can then ask for help and be able to give the fault codes (no, I don't sell them )
Some of these "readers" will do a lot more than just diagnose btw

[slap204]

Had the same problem 2 weeks ago turned out to be my glow plugs replace all sweet now I checked my plugs and 2 out of 4 worked lol and I've got a 2.2 dti too

[MrDerv]

Beware if you are thinking of buying an OBD code reader, OBD won't work on the DTI, i've tried. There is alternatives on ebay, a diagnostic program which we can't name on here, but it rhymes with copcom This forum won't offer support with it but it is relatively easy to use.

Alternatively, there may be a member in your area that may be able to do this for you using either Tech2 (proper VX kit) or the alternative

[ejit]

Thanks for replies, i'll have a look into code readers as have been considering buying one for a little while now. As my vec has been good to me so far (touch wood), costs for repairs are unknown to me; what kind of cost am i looking at? i was startled to find out how much vauxhall wanted for a turbo hose, so an idea about price would be appreciated.

thanks again for swift replies.

[Woody]

PM sent m8

[ejit]

Well I have finally managed to check the glow plugs with a multimeter and all four are reading 12.2 when i connect up to the battery (12.2 reading across the battery), following the video on youtube (no-one said how tricky they'd be to get to with stumps for fingers and fat hands!) . However, there are other methods listed on the net of how to check them in place. was this the right way to do it? or should i take off the connection and put the positive on the tip and the negative on the engine block? if so what should i have my multimeter set on?

one more thing, after reading lots of threads about glow plugs, people seemed to be mentioning smoke on starting-well i'm pretty sure my vec is smoking more on start than it used to and smells diesely.

thanks all again-

[DTi Elite]

if the plugs are checking ok then you need to check that power is actually getting to them , recently had the same on a mates cdti 150 & that was the relay failed , second hand unit for 20 quid & all sorted .