Lambda light on?

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by outofthewoods, Oct 10, 2007.

  1. Hi my 850 M reg almost ran out of fuel three days ago. I felt a sudden
    loss of power and realised what was up (silly me) and then it finally
    allowed me to chug along at 20 mph for 4 miles to the nearest fuel station
    without actually cutting out. which was brill, I was very impressed.
    But when I restarted it, which happened immediately, no problems, I
    noticed the lambda light was on and has stayed on since then. It seems
    to be running the same as it usually does, can anyone tell me what could
    be the problem please.
    thanks
    Chris
     
    outofthewoods, Oct 10, 2007
    #1
  2. outofthewoods

    Andy Dingley Guest

    Possibly crud in the bottom of the fuel tank which has now coated the
    lambda sensor and ruined it. Silicone car polishes will do this if they
    ever get into the tank. Many tanks have a little water trapped in them -
    as it's beneath the petrol it's low in oxygen and so doesn't cause
    (much) rusting. When you run the tank low enough, this can get picked up
    and fed to the engine. Water-soluble contaminants will concentrate in
    here too.

    Check your ECU fault codes. If they say the lambda sensor is dead, it's
    time to swap it. Not much else you can do.
     
    Andy Dingley, Oct 11, 2007
    #2
  3. Thanks for that I had a feeling that was probably going to be the problem.
    I'll check out the codes.
    Chris


    : On Wed, 10 Oct 2007 09:57:36 GMT, "outofthewoods"
    :
    : >can anyone tell me what could be the problem please.
    :
    : Possibly crud in the bottom of the fuel tank which has now coated the
    : lambda sensor and ruined it. Silicone car polishes will do this if they
    : ever get into the tank. Many tanks have a little water trapped in them -
    : as it's beneath the petrol it's low in oxygen and so doesn't cause
    : (much) rusting. When you run the tank low enough, this can get picked up
    : and fed to the engine. Water-soluble contaminants will concentrate in
    : here too.
    :
    : Check your ECU fault codes. If they say the lambda sensor is dead, it's
    : time to swap it. Not much else you can do.
     
    outofthewoods, Oct 11, 2007
    #3
  4. outofthewoods

    proaire Guest

    Is there anything i could do to bring back to life a contaminated O2
    sensor? ( Regina)
    Thinking of heating it with a plumbers butane torch, dipping it in
    some sort of crudding solvent...its gone anyway so no harm done.in
    experimenting.
    Pedro I.
     
    proaire, Oct 12, 2007
    #4
  5. outofthewoods

    Andy Dingley Guest

    NO.

    (sorry)
     
    Andy Dingley, Oct 12, 2007
    #5
  6. Hi Chris,

    had the same on my Volvo 940. Deconnect your battery for half an hour,
    reconnect and it should be ok ;-)

    Greetz,

    Chris
     
    Blackbird-EBOS, Oct 13, 2007
    #6
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