What the score with engine managment lights?

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Timmer · #1 Post by **Timmer** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 9:48 pm

Hi All -

am new here - so apologies if my questions are a little naive...

I've just purchased a Nissan Pathfinder with a BRC 56 conversion, installed in 2009

Was running a little rough on gas and had the check engine light on constantly when running either petrol or gas - which flashed when running on gas

Took it to a local LPG installer for a service and check over - they replaced one of the injectors which had failed and it runs a lot smoother now.

Annoyingly though after 50 miles of so of running since the service - the check engine light has returned - not flashing this time, but nevertheless alway present -

I've heard both that this 'normal' for LPG converted cars as the ECU gets confused by gas and also that this is not normal and requires attention.

The car has a flash lube kit fitted - which i understand can also contibute to engine warning light issues...

Suffice to say I'm pretty confused by the whole thing - car seems to run fine - but i just ideally want to find a way of getting the darn check engine light off!

any advice most gladly recieved

All the best - Timmer

Gilbertd · #2 Post by **Gilbertd** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 10:09 pm

Take it to a competent LPG installer.

It should make no difference which fuel the car is running on or whether or not you have Flashlube fitted. However if either is not calibrated accurately, then you will get the MIL on. Admittedly something only has be be slightly out on some cars but the, 'don't worry it's normal' roughly translates to, 'I can't be bothered to spend the time setting it up spot on but it's close enough'.

john_d · #3 Post by **john_d** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 10:13 pm

Timmer wrote:the check engine light on constantly when running either petrol or gas - which flashed when running on gas

the problem may not be caused by the gas side, it could be the petrol which is why it has returned.

what fault code does the car through up?

Timmer wrote:I've heard both that this 'normal' for LPG converted cars as the ECU gets confused by gas and also that this is not normal and requires attention.

erm not if they are setup properly

Timmer wrote:The car has a flash lube kit fitted - which i understand can also contibute to engine warning light issues...
r

erm, neither the gas nor the petrol know about the lube so no error will ever ben given as a result of flashlube.

pug957 · #4 Post by **pug957** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 10:20 pm

When I first had LPG installed on my car the check light same on as the fuel trims were way out of sync with petrol. Initially running about 25% too lean so the ECU had to compensate. Took it back and they adjusted it (with a sledge hammer) and was running 25% rich. Limits for my car before the light comes on is 15%.

Of course it's more than likely another problem altogether. Take it to a garage that can read the petrol ECU DTC's and see what they have to say. Almost anything on modern-ish cars cause this light to come on these days.

andy evans autogas · Sat Mar 10, 2012 10:32 pm

the best way of doing is to get the light put out and drive it on petrol for a couple of days and if it comes on again check the fault code and their's your prob......if it doesn't come back on then seek help from a competent person...........

pug957 · #6 Post by **pug957** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 11:20 pm

If it doesn't come back on then it was a transient problem and is probably nothing to worry about. Generally it only comes on for something that will affect emissions. The changes that my installer made usually resulted in limp home being activated. If you listen to Saab, every time this happens then you need a new throttle body which at £500 each would have got pretty damn expensive fast! Took 8 visits for them to get the fuel trims right.

Timmer, where about in the country are you?

Tubbs · #7 Post by **Tubbs** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:37 am

Yeh getting them tuned right on the trims is a bit of a black art. Takes time and a bit of care and consideration. A lot of installers are rushed because they have quoted x days and when the deadline looms they just want to get it out the door. Hence why its better to have the car an extra day, check everything is right when it leaves. Better than bringing it back a gazzilion times in my book !

Timmer · #8 Post by **Timmer** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 5:49 pm

pug957 wrote:If it doesn't come back on then it was a transient problem and is probably nothing to worry about. Generally it only comes on for something that will affect emissions. The changes that my installer made usually resulted in limp home being activated. If you listen to Saab, every time this happens then you need a new throttle body which at £500 each would have got pretty damn expensive fast! Took 8 visits for them to get the fuel trims right.

Timmer, where about in the country are you?

Leatherhead in Surrey.

Thanks for all the advice

Timmer · #9 Post by **Timmer** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:18 pm

andy evans autogas wrote:the best way of doing is to get the light put out and drive it on petrol for a couple of days and if it comes on again check the fault code and their's your prob......if it doesn't come back on then seek help from a competent person...........

Okay.... so - have had the car serviced from my regular mechanic.

Fault code read as P0430 - Catalyst system efficiency (bank 2) too low.

He put the light out - i've been running it on petrol since and the light has come back on again..... (i'm assuming that its the same code - though it may not be...)

when he was servicing it he noted that there was a 'ticking' sound that he said sounded like a duff injector - though he also said (not knowing LPG set ups well) that this may be just how it sounds.

So - I guess i'll take it back to Global Autogas - (who serviced the LPG and replaced and Injector last week) for them to look at...

What are the chances that a new cat may be required?

pug957 · #10 Post by **pug957** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:01 pm

Personally I'd say replace the rear lambda sonde first as it will work out cheaper than a new cat, although the cat is probably the problem with it.

I know the injectors on my car are quite loud when you compare them to the petrol ones. You can hear them quite clearly when the bonnet is open and can still hear them inside the car with the windows open so probably nothing to worry about there I'd say.

Timmer · #11 Post by **Timmer** » Wed Mar 28, 2012 7:39 pm

pug957 wrote:Personally I'd say replace the rear lambda sonde first as it will work out cheaper than a new cat, although the cat is probably the problem with it.

I know the injectors on my car are quite loud when you compare them to the petrol ones. You can hear them quite clearly when the bonnet is open and can still hear them inside the car with the windows open so probably nothing to worry about there I'd say.

jaysus!!!: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300501590104? ... 2709wt_949

hmmm - took it back to Global - who don't want to try to fix it (having lots of hassle with similar troubleshooting type repairs apparently

)

might just have to live with the light for a while......

anyone on the board get to surrey/west london to have a look?

are there way of testing cats & sensors without too much expense incurred?

thank again all -

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What the score with engine managment lights?

What the score with engine managment lights?

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