Hi everyone
I have an x type 2.5 awd auto on a '54 plate and the engine malfunction light is always on. Came on about 2 months ago and I wondered if anyone has any ideas as to how I can get rid of it.
I bought an icarsoft code reader and it says that there's no communication with the emu. Will I need a new one and if so where can I get one?
Tried looking on Google but to no avail.
would be most greatful if anyone has any ideas please?

 

Nobody outside the UK will know what a '54 plate' means. Please specify the model year of the car.

The check engine light means that there are codes registered and must be read to learn what the malfunction might be. If your present code reader doesn't work, try a different one. Guessing at which component is at fault will become very expensive and frustrating.

 

Hi Mikey thanks for the reply.
My jag was made in 2004. Apologies for misleading you.

 

Supermill, if your scan tool is not communicating with the ECU you might want to double check the user manual to make sure you are hooking it up correctly. Hard to believe a brand new unit would light be, but not communicate. Once you get it working post the code you get here and someone should be able to help point you in the right direction. Code will be be something like Pxxxx.

If the light has been on for several months and you did not mention anything about it driving poorly, I am guessing it could be something as simple as a minor intermittent vacuum leak that occurs just often enough that the light will not go off.

 

Hi Alfadude
thanks for the reply. The code I got was p1000.
By the way the car drives fine (touch wood). Do you know what this code means?

 

P1000 is just s system readiness check and not a trouble code as such. You might just need some additional drive cycles. When the parameters are met the code would be P1111, which basically means everything is fine.

The thing is, you said you have had a constant check engine light on. P1000 would not trip that light to come on. There would have to be another code in there. Or did you erase that code and now all that comes up is P1000? If so, did the check engine light go out and does it stay off?

 

If the MIL is on there's a code as well as P1000 or P1111 - those two are pending codes and do not put the MIL on.

If your tool does not report others just get a tool that works. An elm327 is cheap.

 

Hi Alfadude and JagV8

Thank you both for taking the time to reply.

I think in my keeness to get rid of the eml I may have erased another code but I'm not sure. I shall plug in my reader again and get back to you shortly.

Incidently, when I cleared the code the light goes off but always reappears after a short while (20 -30 mins usually).

 

Hi guys

The only code I get is P1000. Just in case the reader is faulty I have ordered an elm327 as suggested. This should arrive Wednesday with a bit of luck and I'll let you what that tells me when it arrives.
Do you think it may be a faulty ecu though?

 

You can't clear P1000. If you cleared anything to make the light go off there would be a separate code associated with it. I am guessing your code reader works fine. Double check the instructions on reading current and stored codes and how to erase them. My guess is your ECU is just fine and whatever issue you have is intermittent, but is triggered often enough that you do not complete enough drive cycles without it being present to have it go off on its own. If you get that code number you will be well on your way to knowing what you need to do to fix it.

 

If the MIL is on but only P1000 is reported then the tool is faulty. No ifs or buts.

 

Thank you both for all your help so far. I shall see what codes I get from the elm327 when it comes, just to make sure my icarsoft reader is working ok.

I shall post the outcome on Thursday.............. and hopefully with your help I'll be able to fix the problem....