Sportback Emissions Control Light On - RS3

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Ellski

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On my way to work this morning my emissions control light came on and has been on ever since, it was about 10 minutes into my journey.

Bit worried since I've only done 1900 miles since new, I rang my local Audi dealer and they said since the light is static rather than flashing and there's no loss of power then it should be fine to drive until they can get me in but that doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.

Anyone had it happen to them?
 
No I haven’t . But if I understand how that works on petrol engines it’s picked up from the catalytic converter. I can only think of contaminated or poor fuel may trigger a fault . You happy with where you last fuelled up ? I’d get it checked soonest as you could damage the cat . Just my thoughts ..
 
Couldn’t agree more you need it scanned ASAP. What maybe a glitch could turn into bitch. With a response like that from Audi strengthens my views on doing you own service work or take it to a vw Audi Specialist.
 
Jonny B said:
No I haven’t . But if I understand how that works on petrol engines it’s picked up from the catalytic converter. I can only think of contaminated or poor fuel may trigger a fault . You happy with where you last fuelled up ? I’d get it checked soonest as you could damage the cat . Just my thoughts ..
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Yeah same Tesco 99 Momentum station that I've used since new but thats not to say its not the issue. Managed to get it booked in tomorrow with Audi Northampton for them to have a look so fingers crossed.

DW81 said:
Couldn’t agree more you need it scanned ASAP. What maybe a glitch could turn into bitch. With a response like that from Audi strengthens my views on doing you own service work or take it to a vw Audi Specialist.
Click to expand...
I was going to go to a local VAG tuner as it would be easier but with the warranty in mind I thought it would make sense to take it to Audi in case its something thats replaced FOC?
 
You’ve gotta do what you gotta do mate. Keep us updated with the prognosis as it could help out someone on here in the future with a similar fault mate, hopefully it’s nothing.
 
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Your Audi dealer is right, a static Engine management light is likely to be fine and is not something to be immediately worried about unless there are other symptoms. If the car drives normally with no hiccups, stuttering, funny noises and performance is still there then it’s of no concern.

Flashing on acceleration would indicate a missfiring problem and then yes it would be time to stop driving it and have it seen too.

The engine management light can come on for a hundred different reasons, the most usual culprit is a dodgy sensor somewhere.

A VCDS scan to tell you what it is and then reset would negate the need to visit the dealer but if you don’t have that then you could always try a battery disconnect. This would remove the EML and if there is a genuine issue with a sensor or something else, it come straight back on. If it remains off after a battery reset then it’s likely to just be a glitch with a sensor.

I’ve had lots of EML’s come up over the years, the only one I’ve ever immediately paid attention to is a flashing one (misfire) all the rest have been sensor issues, reset by VCDS never to appear again.

If you’re concerned though, yep, take it into your dealer, they’ll diagnose within 15mins or so.

And don’t get confused with the label of “emissions control light” - It’s an Engine management light, engine check light and probably nothing to do with emissions.
 
I had this light once on my S3. Turn off the car and back on and it was gone.

Never appeared again and didn’t show up on my OBD scan.

The first lesson of any warning lamp is turn the car off and on! If its still there then worry.
 
Leo-RS said:
Your Audi dealer is right, a static Engine management light is likely to be fine and is not something to be immediately worried about unless there are other symptoms. If the car drives normally with no hiccups, stuttering, funny noises and performance is still there then it’s of no concern.

Flashing on acceleration would indicate a missfiring problem and then yes it would be time to stop driving it and have it seen too.

The engine management light can come on for a hundred different reasons, the most usual culprit is a dodgy sensor somewhere.

A VCDS scan to tell you what it is and then reset would negate the need to visit the dealer but if you don’t have that then you could always try a battery disconnect. This would remove the EML and if there is a genuine issue with a sensor or something else, it come straight back on. If it remains off after a battery reset then it’s likely to just be a glitch with a sensor.

I’ve had lots of EML’s come up over the years, the only one I’ve ever immediately paid attention to is a flashing one (misfire) all the rest have been sensor issues, reset by VCDS never to appear again.

If you’re concerned though, yep, take it into your dealer, they’ll diagnose within 15mins or so.

And don’t get confused with the label of “emissions control light” - It’s an Engine management light, engine check light and probably nothing to do with emissions.
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Cheers mate, will give the battery trick a go. Unfortunately I don't have access to any VCDS equipment otherwise I would :( It doesnt change under acceleration at all either.

Spinstorm said:
I had this light once on my S3. Turn off the car and back on and it was gone.

Never appeared again and didn’t show up on my OBD scan.

The first lesson of any warning lamp is turn the car off and on! If its still there then worry.
Click to expand...

Yeah this was one of the first things I tried but didn't seem to work, will try the battery as Leo said.
 
Just an idea ellski depending on where you live someone local on here maybe able to scan it with vcds for some beer / fuel tokens mate
 
audi upgrades
I would contact the sales guy and ask him to sort it out for you without delay so they’d get it in an check it out.

Going through servicing is fine if your not in a rush otherwise impossibly slow.
 
Managed to get it into the dealership on Friday.

They said they aren't too concerned about the error - Apparently the error was "Mixture adaptation rich" and only occurred the once so they have cleared the fault and advised to "keep an eye on it".

They did however find that half of my floor tray has been ripped off... I'm guessing from the recent snow/ice.

wQO6xUh.png
 
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just had this light come up on mine driving back from the shops. Audi assist are sending a technician out, hopefully its just the same minor sensor issue as above. No power loss or limp mode so hopefully just needs a reset.
 
was a fault thrown up by a lambda sensor, nothing major. Tech reckoned it was due to the cold start procedure on the car, a combination of quite of few of them mixed with shorter journeys.
 
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