Yellow solid EML light and VW dealer fully booked

[Fundi]

Had my 73' plate 6.1 Highline SWB panel van from new. Just passed the 70k mile mark and it's been fantastic.
Driving down the M6 on Wednesday night and the solid yellow EML light appeared. Van drives completely normal, no rough idle or loss of power etc.
A quick search reveals that the fault is likely emissions related. I've bought the OBD11 and just waiting on delivery.
Called the VW Commercial Centre in Swindon the following morning. Bought the vehicle from them back in November 73' and they have subsequently serviced it x7 times.
I cover 30-40k motorway miles a year at locations all over the UK, so have my workhorses serviced every 10k miles. I am fastidious with maintenance.
Frustratingly, the first appointment I can get with Fish Bros, the VW dealer is not until the 12th January, I appreciate the festive period does not help. Ridiculously, they even suggested that I called the AA Road Side Assistance number to see if the vehicle could be recovered to them, therefore requiring their own service dept. to investigate the issue within 48hrs. I did call the AA, of course to be told that the yellow solid EML light meant the vehicle was fine to drive to the nearest service centre.
Unfortunately, the festive period is a busy work period for me and the vehicle is due to cover another 2k miles or so between now and the dealer appointment on the 12th Jan.
Without knowing the specific codes I don't know whether to risk using the van, so would very much appreciate some feedback. Many thanks in advance.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Had my 73' plate 6.1 Highline SWB panel van from new. Just passed the 70k mile mark and it's been fantastic.
Driving down the M6 on Wednesday night and the solid yellow EML light appeared. Van drives completely normal, no rough idle or loss of power etc.
A quick search reveals that the fault is likely emissions related. I've bought the OBD11 and just waiting on delivery.
Called the VW Commercial Centre in Swindon the following morning. Bought the vehicle from them back in November 73' and they have subsequently serviced it x7 times.
I cover 30-40k motorway miles a year at locations all over the UK, so have my workhorses serviced every 10k miles. I am fastidious with maintenance.
Frustratingly, the first appointment I can get with Fish Bros, the VW dealer is not until the 12th January, I appreciate the festive period does not help. Ridiculously, they even suggested that I called the AA Road Side Assistance number to see if the vehicle could be recovered to them, therefore requiring their own service dept. to investigate the issue within 48hrs. I did call the AA, of course to be told that the yellow solid EML light meant the vehicle was fine to drive to the nearest service centre.
Unfortunately, the festive period is a busy work period for me and the vehicle is due to cover another 2k miles or so between now and the dealer appointment on the 12th Jan.
Without knowing the specific codes I don't know whether to risk using the van, so would very much appreciate some feedback. Many thanks in advance.

You could try calling WAS auto services in Worcester. They are independent VW specialists.

 

[Fundi]

Thanks for the msg. I will certainly be going down the independent route next year, once the vehicle has passed 100k miles. Right now this is a warranty job, otherwise no point in buying new, the van’s only 2 years old.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Thanks for the msg. I will certainly be going down the independent route next year, once the vehicle has passed 100k miles. Right now this is a warranty job, otherwise no point in buying new, the van’s only 2 years old.

it was more a case of getting it plugged in and finding out if it was ok to drive than getting any repairs done.

 

[Fundi]

it was more a case of getting it plugged in and finding out if it was ok to drive than getting any repairs done.

Yes absolutely and thank you. OBD11 should be with me next week, I can then get informed. Won't obviously delete the fault codes as I intend to breath down the stealers neck in 3 weeks time.
The x7 services in 2 years with VW Van Centre Swindon have been on my terms. This is the first occasion that I have actually needed their help. To be effectively fobbed off for 3 weeks is not acceptable. Unfortunately, many self employed colleagues around the country, who run Transporters all have tales of main dealer woe to tell. Perhaps two years from purchase and 70k miles in, my 'honeymoon' bubble has just burst. Time will tell.

 

[manfrotto]

Could they not give you a loaner until they get time to look at it?

 

[Sasquatch]

To be fair to the dealer (as much as it pains me to do so), its hardly their fault they're rammed full of work weeks into the future.

We'd moan even more if they didn't have enough work and closed as a consequence.

That observation doesn't help you of course, but getting annoyed about it doesnt help either.

Fingers crossed its something minor and easily resolved.

 

[Fundi]

Could they not give you a loaner until they get time to look at it?

Oooh what a nice gesture that would be. Realistically, spending the best part of 50k on a fully loaded Highline 150ps DSG with x7 additional services in two years doesn't buy you that credit. More fool them, yet another 'valued' customer off to a well reviewed independent, as soon as the manufacturer warranty period is up. I'm used to poor Land Rover and BMW custom service over the years, so well versed with indy service specialists.

 

[Fundi]

To be fair to the dealer (as much as it pains me to do so), its hardly their fault they're rammed full of work weeks into the future.

We'd moan even more if they didn't have enough work and closed as a consequence.

That observation doesn't help you of course, but getting annoyed about it doesnt help either.

Fingers crossed its something minor and easily resolved.

Haha I'll give you that seeing as it's Christmas. In the whole scheme of things, this is a first world woe. I have another vehicle that I can use as a work horse in the meantime. Not the point though.

 

[Howzat]

You need to box clever with the AA.
Maybe the van wont's start so you call the AA who despatch a patrol. In the meantime you stick a car charger on and leave it plugged in until the patrol arrives.
Well whaddya know. The van starts now but look, you have a yellow engine light. Lets just plug in the diagnostic to see what that is why I'm here.
Now they see the fault they can raise a job with VW triggering the 72 hour timer.

 

[Dellmassive]

Read the codes, check the fault.

Most likely emission related, and most likely EGR insufficient flow as a guess.....

Assuming it hasn't had the EGR replaced yet, and your at 70k.?

 

[Fundi]

You need to box clever with the AA.
Maybe the van wont's start so you call the AA who despatch a patrol. In the meantime you stick a car charger on and leave it plugged in until the patrol arrives.
Well whaddya know. The van starts now but look, you have a yellow engine light. Lets just plug in the diagnostic to see what that is why I'm here.
Now they see the fault they can raise a job with VW triggering the 72 hour timer.

What a funny coincidence Howzat, would you believe the van wouldn't start! so I called Roadside Assist who this time sent a VW engineer. I think the Christmas elves have been at play because the van started perfectly when he arrived. The solid EML was caused by a faulty NOx sensor, the third one of three, located at the back end of the exhaust system. The AA/VW mechanic was excellent and has ordered the part and will return to my home address tomorrow to fit.

 

[Salty Spuds]

What a funny coincidence Howzat, would you believe the van wouldn't start! so I called Roadside Assist who this time sent a VW engineer. I think the Christmas elves have been at play because the van started perfectly when he arrived. The solid EML was caused by a faulty NOx sensor, the third one of three, located at the back end of the exhaust system. The AA/VW mechanic was excellent and has ordered the part and will return to my home address tomorrow to fit.

Result