Engine/emission Light issue

[martin_allen]

Looking for some advice on this... the little orange light has come on the dash. A panicked check of the car's manual says 'emissions system fault' and that the car is drivable but needs a check. I want to know what the problem might be and potential fixes/costs if anyone knows! Newage btw.

So the story... Been away in Cyprus for a week, brilliantly left car at parents place in Rotherham... yes the place that has been on the telly under water the past week while i was experiencing 45 degrees in the shade...

Didn't actually end up under water but obviously had a lot tipped on it while it was sat outside for the week.

When i went to start her up the starter was very slow - dodgy battery thinks i.

Anyway,

had to go get some petrol before the garage shut so took it literally two miles up the road to esso.

On attempted re-start the first turn of the key produced a high pitched 'beep' (best description i can think of) but next attempt produced the same slow start (understandable given engine had only been run for a couple of minutes.)

Pulled up back outside the house with the idea of leaving her to idel a bit to charge up and all of a suddent the idle shot up to 2k and the engine emissions light came on.

revs then bounced between 1k and 1.5k before settleing just under the 1k

The light is still on after the long run home and a couple of stops so i guess the three strike rule to make it go away seems like it might be out and there really is a problem.

Given the fact the car was just stood and is currently driving fine (albeit with the warning light on) the only difference seems to be a 500rpm idle speed.

Any ideas before i give a kidney to subaru?

5t.

[thefastone]

Being slow to start could have, in the first place just have been a little drain from the alarm like... (assuming that it was set...) think its more common on Motorbikes than cars, although nothing to say that it couldn't happen...

But as for the other thing... Buggered if I know! Dodgey petrol perhaps? that would make a lot of sense like...

 

[martin_allen]

yeah alarm was left on but only for a week so shouldn't be that run down.

Battery charged now so alternator doing its job at least.

 No one got any suggestions for a sensor or anything? book just says "emissions" but car seems to be running fine even if it can't decide where to idle (decided on just under 1k for the 30 miles from edinburgh and that feels ok - better than 500 at least)

5t.

[Big P UK300]

Had the same problem myself last week , An Elise tried to get cheeky away from a set of lights , so i floored it in 1st 2nd and 3rd gear , then my emissions light came on.  I phoned awd to see if Grant had any ideas and he said the same thing about possible dirty fuel ! So i drove the car slowly for a couple of short journey's but my light went off later that day and has'nt come back on since , I know this wont help you much but i suppose there is a chance yours might go off too []

 

Paul

[martin_allen]

thanks paul, was wondering if it might be some wire or something i could check myself. hoping it is damp in the sensor from the rain but fuel could be a good point. put some more fuel in yesterday and will be doing a bit of running around at the weekend so that might convince it that it is ok!

Going in for cambelt soon anyway so if it doesn't go away by itself i'll get Iain Grieve to run a check on it.

cheers.