Dashboard light on my 2000 Avensis

codod

Hi all,

the orange light in the picture came on yesterday for the first time. it went off again shortly after that.

Again this morning it came on for 5 mins and then disappeared.

the car is driving great and i dont notice any issues.

What does this light mean? and should i bring it to garage asap?

thanks in advance!

Leonard Hofstadter

It means that there is an engine related fault with your car. It needs to be read into a computer by a competent mechanic - no-one can tell you what's wrong with it over the internet.

It could be anything from something really minor (which I wouldn't bother fixing on a 12 year old Avensis - the engine light on its own will NOT cause a car to fail the NCT) to something quite major, sometimes the engine light will come on because of something like an incorrect fuel/air mixture, which will affect the emissions and consequently will cause the car to fail the NCT.

If the light is on because of an emissions related problem, then the longer you leave it the more likely you risk damaging the catalytic converter, and means you won't just be replacing a sensor, but a sensor and the catalytic converter as well! So get it checked as soon as you can !

barney 20v

captainspeed wrote: »

It means that there is an engine related fault with your car. It needs to be read into a computer by a competent mechanic - no-one can tell you what's wrong with it over the internet.

It could be anything from something really minor (which I wouldn't bother fixing on a 12 year old Avensis - the engine light on its own will NOT cause a car to fail the NCT) to something quite major, sometimes the engine light will come on because of something like an incorrect fuel/air mixture, which will affect the emissions and consequently will cause the car to fail the NCT.

If the light is on because of an emissions related problem, then the longer you leave it the more likely you risk damaging the catalytic converter, and means you won't just be replacing a sensor, but a sensor and the catalytic converter as well! So get it checked as soon as you can !

Please ignore the above post. any engine warning light is an instant nct failure.

johnayo

barney 20v wrote: »

Please ignore the above post. any engine warning light is an instant nct failure.

This is not correct. Engine management light on is not an NCT FAILURE.

codod

thanks guys. i will get garage to do diagnosis test. passed the NCT in March so dont have to worry about that again until next year! more concerned about the engine blowing up on the motorway :eek:

biko

Nct manual states it's a fail in a diesel car. Petrol car with light is not mentioned.
In any case get it read.

Leonard Hofstadter

johnayo wrote: »

This is not correct. Engine management light on is not an NCT FAILURE.

+1, it is clearly stated in the NCT manual that the engine light being on is NOT an NCT fail item for petrol engined cars, which applies to the OP.

If the light is on because an emissions related issue then you will fail the NCT, not because the light is on, but because the emissions are not what they should be!

codod

For closure, i got the car diagnosed. It turned out it was an issue with a faulty oxygen sensor. this was the sensor before the catalytic converter. I had a good laugh when the main dealer quoted me €350 for a new one. I got one from a dismantler for €40. Engine light gone :-)