Yellow engine warning light

[AlexWinstanley]

I know this has come up on other threads but I can’t quite make sense of the lingo. In simplest terms, this solid yellow engine light came on yesterday - should I just take it to a local garage or does it need to be a VW garage? It’s a 24 plate, T28, 6000 miles. Not having much luck with what is a pretty new van unfortunately.

 

[Bigsidavies]

If it’s 2024 doesn’t it have VW assist for the first 3 years. But check to make sure.
If that’s the case then ring VW assist and get a van out to you to find what’s up. It’s still in warranty.

 

[AlexWinstanley]

If it’s 2024 doesn’t it have VW assist for the first 3 years. But check to make sure.
If that’s the case then ring VW assist and get a van out to you to find what’s up. It’s still in warranty.

Thanks for that, I’ll find out.

 

[AlexWinstanley]

@Bigsidavies i called VW assist yesterday. They said it was a very common occurrence, even for a new van, which made me feel better. Unfortunately no VW garages across the North West have availability until the 31st July.

Would you or anyone have any advice as we have a trip booked the week before and from what I see, everyone says don’t let it go to red, but when I spoke to the first garage in particular she said they only usually look at them once they go red?

I also don’t want to drive it down to wales and back in a couple of weeks with this light on, plus I seem to need to give it a run weekly so the battery doesn’t go flat. Sorry there’s a bit to digest there! Thanks

 

[64 SPLIT]

Sounds like it has a parasitic drain on the battery - it shouldn't go flat after just a couple of weeks without use. Has it been converted or had any mods done to it - ie anything not factory standard? A simple battery monitor would be useful to track what's going on with it but as mentioned, if it's still under warranty I'd leave it to VW to fix.

 

[whodat]

You remember when any driver would have a toolkit in the van - usually spanners/screwdrivers/jubilee clips and if they were handy, a socket wrench.
Nowadays, you need the most important tool - something that plugs into the OBD port under the steering wheel. Without that - any other tool is pointless unless you have a flat tyre.
Get a Carista or something like that. Relatively cheap and will give you a code to start with.
Can check battery voltage with any lead tester although not sure how that diagnosis is made with an engine light.

 

[AlexWinstanley]

Sounds like it has a parasitic drain on the battery - it shouldn't go flat after just a couple of weeks without use. Has it been converted or had any mods done to it - ie anything not factory standard? A simple battery monitor would be useful to track what's going on with it but as mentioned, if it's still under warranty I'd leave it to VW to fix.

Thanks. I’ve booked in with VW but just worried we’ve got a trip to wales in between. It was a standard conversation by Wirral Campers but the battery has always seemed to be sensitive. And from my knowledge there’s nothing plugged in that should be draining it.

 

[Bav]

Unfortunately no VW garages across the North West have availability until the 31st July.

If you have VW Assist cover, call VW Commercial Roadside Assistance (0330 100 3242) and they'll send out a silver (VW specific) patrol vehicle. If the patrolman is willing to take your van to a VW dealer, then I believe they can require the dealer to fit you in sooner than would be available to joe public.

 

[AlexWinstanley]

If you have VW Assist cover, call VW Commercial Roadside Assistance (0330 100 3242) and they'll send out a silver (VW specific) patrol vehicle. If the patrolman is willing to take your van to a VW dealer, then I believe they can require the dealer to fit you in sooner than would be available to joe public.

Thanks - the only issue is the van isn’t currently on the road it’s on the drive so would that be applicable?

 

[Bav]

Thanks - the only issue is the van isn’t currently on the road it’s on the drive so would that be applicable?

Don't believe that'll be an issue - the patrolmen in the silver vans are VW master technicians so they know their stuff and, from my experience, and they'll bend over backwards to get you back on the road.

 

[jimc91]

insist on one of the VW assist vans come out, the problem with the EML is it could be a number of things, they will scan it and identify the fault code, then you will be better informed as to whether to drive it or not.

 

[AlexWinstanley]

@Bav @jimc91 if I've already made the call yesterday would they not have a log of it?

 

[Hilly64]

being on the drive is not an issue but when you speak to the call centre you MUST insist they send out the VW Tech guys not the regular breakdown. The VW guys are very good in my experience, the dealserships on the other hand!!!

if you consult the handbook there is or certainly used to be a warning not to drive with the light on but given it is such a common issue even the breakdown call centre has a different tack and might try to fob you off with going to the dealership.

They may offer to do a referal to a dealership of your choice in which case the dealership has to look at the van and run a diagnostic check within 48hrs as if it was a breakdown but after that you are in their hands time wise and if you take a courtesy van which is also covered under the policy they will likely charge you circa £20/day insurance.

also be prepared for them not to find a fault and delete codes and send you on your way. The key thing here is they have to find an issue or prove a faulty component for the warranty to kick in.

If the van is driving normally I wouldn't stress too much but just watch out for the adblue warning and 650 mile countdown which will limit your options

 

[Bav]

@Bav @jimc91 if I've already made the call yesterday would they not have a log of it?

Did you ask them to attend? AFAIK, they have to physically transport your van to the dealership in order to secure you a priority slot.

 

[AlexWinstanley]

Did you ask them to attend? AFAIK, they have to physically transport your van to the dealership in order to secure you a priority slot.

I didn’t no I just went with what the guy said on the of one. But I didn’t realise the wait once he referred me to the garage who called me today