CEL

[TomPaine]

CEL came on in the week on the M40. Solid, not flashing. No symptoms, no limp-home mode or anything, but I eased off a bit and got home ok. I very much prefer to use Saabtech Welwyn than the local options, but it's a 70-mile drive - is it reckless to do that with the CEL on, or ok given that there don't seem to be any accompanying dramas?...

[Audax]

I'd happily drive with a check engine light to get diagnostics if it wasn't flashing and as long as I'd done a quick check under the bonnet to make sure it all looked OK, I'd also make sure I had a spare DI cassette and means to change it! 

[sgould]

A check engine light is an ODB2 failure. Error code should be readily readable by a generic code reader.  Buy one and read the code.  You will be quite unlucky to have an engine light caused by an error that doesn't show a generic code.

Tell us the code and we can tell you the fault. 

Much cheaper than the cost of fuel to Welwyn!

[David]

I ended up buying a cheap £10 code reader off Amazon ( U480 Obd-ii OBDII OBD2 EOBD Diagnostic Code Scanner CAN-Bus Trouble Code Read Diagnose Tester Diagnostic Scanner ) which is one hell of a long name but simply plugged in and gave me the codes. Well worth the peace of mind IMHO.

[TomPaine]

Thanks as ever for your replies gents... Just to close the thread, I risked it. Tech 2 disclosed a 'by pass performance issue'. Some new vac hosing while I waited and all sorted.

[There's a lovely old 96 inside for sale...]

I really must get me a cheap OBD though, yes.