Engine Management Light

[JAMOCON]

Hi, I’m new to MG ownership having bought a MGTF 115 from Trophy Cars on the A1. What a fantastic dealer by the way. Very helpful before and after purchasing. The car is great in every way. Very quick whilst running Shell V Power fuel and handles great for a small budget sports car some 17 years older! However I have a small issue. After driving the car quite hard one day the engine management light came on and remained on for a few journeys. However after investing in a fault reader OBD2 from Eurocarparts and waiting for it to arrive the light went off! However the reader remembered a fault P301 which’s shows as Cylinder 1 misfire? Should I be worried about that? As I said the light has now gone off! I had a new catalytic converter fitted a few months back due to the original being shot. Any helpers out there? Cheers, James

[talkingcars]

Hi and welcome to the forum

It isn't unusual for the EML to come on shortly after a new owner takes on a MG. This is because the ECU is adaptive and learns the way the previous owner had driven the car. The ECU then sees an unexpected reading based on the previous owners driving. The light will clear after 5 complete ignition cycles after the fault has cleared.

James

[JAMOCON]

Thanks very much for taking the time to respond James. I suppose it could just be down to my harder driving style than the previous owner! Anyway as I said the light has gone off now but I have my fault reader at the ready should it come back on again!

Cheers, James

[Gavin207]

Mine's been coming on periodically for 2 years, with no noticeable effect on performance, and goes off after 5 cycles. Usually when I get stuck in traffic, so assume its something to do with mixture. Ive also tried checking with an OBD reader, once I had the same reading - no.2 misfire- but I've never noticed any issues. I've come to the conclusion that it's over sensitive and nothing to worry about.

[JAMOCON]

Fantastic. Thanks for your advice and information Gavin. Haven’t seen the pesky light come on again since!

[JAMOCON]

Thanks very much all for your invaluable advice on my issue. However the problem has returned! EML light on again and staying on although admittedly not been through another 5 cycles yet but gave me a great opportunity to test my new OBD 2 Fault Reader that I invested in! I’m now getting :

Fault: 03
PEND: 01

P0420
01/04

P0301
02/04

Can any of you highly knowledgeable guys help at all?

Many thanks in advance.
James

[JAMOCON]

Photo of OBD2 readings regarding previous issue.

[JAMOCON]

Photo of OBD2 readings regarding previous issue.

[JAMOCON]

Photo of OBD2 readings regarding previous issue.

[JAMOCON]

Photo of OBD2 readings regarding previous issue.

[markvrs]

Hi James,

A generic OBD2 reader does not give much detail but the codes for MG Rover are:-

P0420 Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1

P0301 Cylinder 1 Misfire.

Cheers, Mark

[JAMOCON]

Hi Mark, thank you so much for your answer. The booklet that came with the OBD2 actually described the same issue with those codes. Should I be worried about it? The car was serviced in August 2020 before I bought it from Trophy Cars and including a cam belt change and is due it’s next service and MOT in August this year. Cheers for your input. Regards, James

[markvrs]

Hi James,

As you have had a new cat recently it may be that the lambda sensor was damaged when it was changed. Did you get the cat of ebay? Just asking

A misfire can be many things. The MGF is known for corrosion (Green Verdigris) on coil pack internal terminal and is an easy fix once you have got to it. (or plugs , or leads or....)

If it was me, I would clear codes and give it a good run. If P0420 comes back I would put a new Lambda sensor on it. If there is someone near you with a Pscan OBD2 diagnostic tool that would help pinpoint it much better.( www.pscan.uk )

Cheers, Mark

[JAMOCON]

Hi Mark, thanks again for taking the time to write back. I had a brand new Cat fitted at Trophy Cars in January as the original was badly corroded and there was a blow between the Cat and the back box joint. I do suspect that one of the codes could be related to that however the car seems to drive absolutely fine. Maybe wait for the 5th cycle and see what happens? Or perhaps have the issue investigated on the next service? What do you reckon? Many thanks, James

[markvrs]

Hi James,

If it's driving fine, those codes are emission related so only something to worry about at MOT emission testing time if they are a bit high.

All depends on how OCD you are about fault codes

Cheers

Mark

[JAMOCON]

Thanks for your advice Mark. I’m not particularly OCD about fault codes but that orange glowing light on the dash really
irritates me!

[JAMOCON]

Can anyone help with my remote boot release? Actually the question is does my car in face have it!? There is a button on my key fob and some sort of cables running to the lock but I don’t know if they are significant? Any help/advice would be much appreciated! Cheers, James

PS Engine management light still on!

[markvrs]

Hi,

Do not think you have remote boot release. The two cables going into your catch are one cable from key lock to open, and one wire boot open warning. The Chinese MG TF with boot release have a solenoid and cable running to it mounted on the catch.

Your key fob is a replacement intended for a later MG.

Cheers Mark

[markvrs]

Boot Release

This is lock with original factory remote release solenoid

[JAMOCON]

Thanks again for your great help and advice Mark. Much appreciated! I suppose I’ll have to keep on using the key but hate the risk of scratching the paintwork! Cheers, James