Occasionally when I start my engine the POWER light flashes at me for about 15 seconds and then goes off. It does not do it all the time so I am concerned that something may need to be done. Any help would be great. I am sure I have seen this on the forum before but can't find it so sorry if you repeat yourselves.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Tim

Counting the flashes would be a good start - it's trying to tell you something in it's own sweet way !

Could it be your speed sensor going. I heard that the power light flashes when thats gone. Or is that 10 flashes.

Is there anywhere where this can be looked up?

It's in the online manual, can't remember where right now though ....

 

Actually, it might not be. The manual is for the UK European model, the power light is specific to the Jap model. I was actually thinking of the A/T light !

 

[This message has been edited by AndyP (edited 16-01-2002).]

Yeah, its the auto diagnostic trying to tell you something, You may have a speed sensor problem, although I'm sure mine is dodgy and it hasnt flashed at me yet for it...Have you disconnected the battery before it does it, or cleaned any connectors, there is one that will cause this to happen near the TPS.

 

But as AndyP said - check the flashes out.

Thanks guyZ the next time it flashes I will count how many times. Just sat in the car half an hour and it won't bloody do it again(hang on thats a good thing?)

 

Thanks for the help if it does do it again I will know to count the flashes.

 

Tim

If it's working along the lines of the other diagnostics then you will need to differentiate between short and long flashes, so keep 'em peeled and don't loose count !

It'll flash 15 times from memory most likely..

However that's not the fault code..

 

To get the autobox fault code, do the diagnostic as shown here - http://www.twinturbo.net/ttnettech/autodiag/autodiag.html

 

You can do this any time - right now in fact if you so desire. Doesn't matter if it flashed last time you started it or not, the fault codes are still stored.

Thanks guys it seems it happened cos the battery had been discontected due to the fact of me having the two inner break lights converted to be my fogs.

 

Thanks again

 

Tim

Spoke to sone, today the power light started to flash again. Counted the flashes and I think it flashed 16 short times, (not in the online manual). Then I lost my speedo jsut showed 0mph all the time and my power steering went funny. You spoke before about the speed sensor. Could it be this? If so how much is it going to cost and is it suitable for DIY? Help please or else I will be forced to drive my girly's SKODA to work while the Z is off the road

 

CheerZ

 

Tim

 

 

As I said earlier, the 16 short flashes are simply an indication that something is wrong - they do not correlate with the error code table. To get the code you have to run the diagnostic procedure that I posted the link to.

 

Your problem is either going to be speed sensor (mounted on the gearbox), wiring, or if your car is an import, speedo convertor related.

 

Try the easiest thing first - if your car is an import, remove the instrument cluster (it's not hard), and see if the convertor is wired in behind there. If it is, take it out of the loop - reconnect any wires that have been broken into to fit the convertor, and see if everything comes back to life. (I did this using bullet connectors, so that I could wire the convertor back in again easily if necessary).

If it's an import, my money is on the convertor.

 

If it's the speed sensor, then if I recall correctly, it is DIY but access is very difficult.

Done a diagnostic, sorry aaronjbread your post wrong was counting flashes when not in diagnostic mode. Anyway the second flash was longer than the rest. Speed sensor according to the table. Will have to get it fixed. Would this also cause the power steering to go funny as I believe that is also speed related.

 

ThankZ

 

Tim

Yup, the PS is variable assistance based on speed, if it loses the speed signal then it switches to it's lowest assistance, and also disables the HICAS rear wheel steering.

 

You may well also find that if you floor the accellerator, your car will not change up when it hits the limiter, it'll just die - the auto box gets confused.

 

Check out the speed convertor first if your car is a Japanese import, these frequently go wrong, and all speed signals (to the ECU, transmission controller and PS controller all go through the back of the guage cluster..)

Tim you haven't answered the question, is your car a Jap spec or UK??? Jap spec most likely convertor (if not, speed sensor), uk spec without doubt, the speed sensor.

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

Mine is a Jap import so I will check out the speed converter some time soon. In the mean time I'm off to work in the Skoda. I presume if I just bypass the converter and all is fine I just need a new converter. Are there good ones to buy cos my on is only just 1 year old.

 

Thanks chaps

 

Tim

(off to check the converter and tint the windows of the Skoda)