“Check Engine” Warning Light

[No-Dun-Roamin’]

I was due to head out today in the MoHo, but during prep on Friday, when I started the engine, the dreaded “Check Engine” warning light came on. I went round to my local garage who are always very helpful. On the way there was no power and the first time I have ever experienced “limp mode”. He had a look, but said it was beyond what he could do, but got me booked into a bigger garage with no doubt all the necessary diagnostics. They did not complete and would need to keep vehicle till early next week.
I was presuming it might have been the DPF since the MoHo had been laid up over the winter, but it did have a 300 mile round trip in May. They have not confirmed it as being the DPF but did say said they will need to investigate a fan fault code.
I know it is an open ended question with a range of possibilities but has anybody had any similar experiences. I do not recollect any conversations, or threads discussing “Check Engine” warning lights. Has anyone else experienced this and if so what kind of causes are typical. At least it happened at home, and do not know how a breakdown/ recovery would have dealt with this. Hopefully any insight will forewarn other who might be unfortunate enough to experience something similar going forward.

 

[10tenmen]

Just had the same light on my 2020 Pilote took it into Jordan’s in Hull, got there ar 8am and it was taken straight in, 1 hour later I was on my way they replaced a faulty DPF sensor, excellent service although it took a while to get the appointment. fiat ducato fault code p24d1

 

[Deneb]

There are hundreds of possible causes. Without knowing what fault codes have been stored anyone guessing has as much chance of being right as of winning the lottery I'm afraid. Any issue that can effect the emissions from the vehicle or result in further issues or damage from continued use will cause the warning light to illuminate, but it could just as easily be a faulty sensor that has lost communication or is sending the wrong signals, causing the engine ECU to believe a different problem exists.

 

[tribalbrit]

Probably a sensor, dpf, maf. Lamber etc. Most faults these days are faulty sensors.
Have had light on my works van for more than a year, several people have looked but not solved rinse fine though.

 

[Lucky]

If I remember correctly, when I had a yellow 'check engine' light in my Fiat (140bhp), the Owners Manual indicated there was an issue with the fuel injection although the vehicle could still be driven until inspected by a garage.

As it unfolded, I connected an OBD2 (onboard diagnostic) scanner to investigate the warning and to my surprise the fault cleared, never to reappear. OBD scanners can be bought cheaply online.

Not saying this is the same issue you have but it might be helpful to anyone else that gets a check engine light.

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[Rusticrogers]

it's virtually always a sensor as someone above has said but nowadays the limp mode puts paid to carrying on regardless, which is a shame.

 

[steviebouy]

Mine did that, albeit a few weeks ago, after winter storage.
Code was P0638, throttle valve. It's right on the front of the engine on ours (3.0 litre) and the water runs off the deflector shield right onto it!
The EML light came on with limp home mode halfway into our first trip of the year. Luckily the van will still achieve 65 on the motorway and get up all the hills we encountered although embarrassingly slowly!
Good luck
Steve

 

[Pukka]

We had check engine light and the fault was about boost pressure. Turned out to be a mouse had chewed through a blanking pipe in the engine bay.

 

[No-Dun-Roamin’]

Back on the road again today !!
It turned out to be a corroded wire in the loom that lurks underneath and behind the near side headlight. Technician said vans notorious for this. Corrosion extends over extended length of wire. Came up as a fan fault code. He said when they fix this they do a thorough check on adjacent wire in the loom.
Well pleased with repair and no parts, only labour where most of time spent was gaining access.
Thanks as always for your great insights into most likely possibilities.