what exactly does it mean when the engine symbol light comes on? I know it says in the manual it means there is something wrong with the emission system, but that means all to me.:redface:

What kind of car is it?:S

sorry should have said 97 te

In basic terms, no matter what the model, it is your check engine light

It is telling you a sensor is not giving the correct or expected signal, this can be anything from TPS, O2 sensor, MAF etc etc.

You should first get the codes out of the ECU, take it to someone who can read them, leave the engine running incase it is a KOEO (key on, engine on) fault.

Many web pages, including my own will tell you how to read the codes yourself.

Just also check all connections in the engien bay, in particular your MAF and manifold connections

thanks for that, but in addition the engine has died and will not start again

maybe points to a faulty engine management computer

trip to the wrecker ...dont know

got a mate who has one.. to try just in case

Before you pop a ECU in and fry it as well, check yours for injector pulse, this will tell you if you are getting a pulse at all

Instead of putting an ECU in yours, if you can put yours in another car, I would count my bets that your ECU is fine. It seems these days on these forums that the only fault people know is ECU

Could be the crank angle sensor, coil pack etc also

Magnamaniac your question was

""what exactly does it mean when the engine symbol light comes on""

turbo_charade was on the right track in your first post when the car stopped
RAA got it wrong this time
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56849


best reply I can think of
see post and list below

Engine light will not detect low compression, low fluids etc on any car.

The check engine light, which is really a misleading name, will only tell you if the ECU is getting a signal it thinks is wrong or is not getting a signal it thinks it should be getting.

If the ECU is fried, the check engine light will not come on at all.

Magnamaniac hope this answers your question



I took the time to search the mitsubishi factory manual
and found a list of things
that you may need to have checked
in order to find out why the light has come on

from that manual
sorry I didnt note the page number:redface:

the engine symbol light indicates when it comes on
""quote""

1. Engine control unit
* 2. Oxygen sensor
3. Air-flow sensor
4. Intake air temperature sensor
5. Throttle position sensor
6. Engine coolant temperature sensor
7. Crank angle sensor
8. Top dead centre sensor
9. Knock sensor
10. Ignition timing adjustment signal
11. Injector
Caution: - The engine warning lamp also comes on when the terminal for ignition timing adjustment is
earthed during ignition timing adjustment.
*Note - The 0' sensor on 4 cylinder models built after February 1992 does not activate the engine
warning lamp