Hi guys I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on my problem... I was driving along fine until I started loosing power ( Ford Fiesta Zetec-S ) and the engine was mis-firing - then the engine management light came on. After a panic and crawling home I did a bit of research in tinternet, only to find that its a classic problem that the ignition coil goes on these often. I have since replaced it but I cant get the Engine Management light to go off. After visiting my local Vospers dealership and them telling me it's £60 just to reset this I thought I would find another method. As I explained to the Vospers guy - the problem is fixed why do I need to pay them any money?! I could rant all day but its not gonna get me anywhere, so if anyone could help that would be great thanks...

u can only reset using scanner m8 , if u r lucky sometimes u can leave battery off for 12 hours so the battery backup in the ecu goes flat and resets to factory setting .. or have a phone round and ask a small garage if that have the snapon scanner to reset light , they will only charge half that m8

Hi - thanks for the quick response... Is it me being a pain in the @rse customer or have I got a point because I really wanna take this further (trying to find Fords customer srvices e-mail address as we speak).

Its just I cant see or understand how they justify charging £60 just to reset the system's computer. Its like you've only got one choice if a problem comes up and thats to take it to Ford otherwise you car will always show this problem. I havent got a problem with business's making money but isnt this just a blatent rip off??!!

What are your views? And I dont suppose you have any Ford contact details do you? Thanks

Hi there,
totally agree with your comments main dealers have us by the preverbials with this resetting rip off !
small hand held obdII are available on fleabay, these will read the error code (which you can check in accompanying handy booklet) but they also reset the engine management light thingy.only around £30 so not excessively priced and will pay for themselves in long run lol
hope this helps
regards
Marty

l own a small garage and thanx to fords prices l always have work lol.
most small garages will have the tools to reset the light but ford dont give a fook its just a money machine, the obd11 tools off ebay work but u will only pay about 20 to 25 to get it turned off . have a little phone round and say u will pay cash , because there no parts its easy money and straight into there pocket ,hope this helps m8...

Hi guys thanks again for your comments, makes me feel better that I am not the only one that thinks its a rip off..

Anyway I have news on my light problem - its gone!!! Yes I got into my car at lunch time and the light went off :os I was told by Vospers that the only way to get the light off is to have it reset - well they are wrong. And before you ask no the bulb hasn't gone :O) it still comes on initially but then goes off.

SO, sorry to ask again but is this correct? Shoould the light turn off if the problem has been resolved? And whilst I am askin - can anyone explain what a lamda (sorry about the spelling) does?

Thanks again guys!!!

the ecu has reset it self m8 , it do a self test and cleared the code ,

What is a Lambda Sensor?
A Lambda sensor is a device that measures the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gasses. Therefor it's also called an O2 sensor (O2 being oxygen).

How does a Lambda Sensor work?
Depending on how much oxygen is found in the exhaust gasses, the O2 sensor gives a voltage signal. This only works when the sensor is hot enough. Sensors are heated by the exhaust gasses passing by the sensor. Modern sensors have a internal heating element that makes sure the sensor is always kept at operating temperature. These sensors can not stand leaded fuel and silicone sealer (as used in some liquid gasket products). The sensor gives 0 volt when the engine runs lean and about 1 volt when the engine runs rich.

How do I fit a Lambda Sensor to my car?
A hole is drilled in the exhaust, as close as possible to the engine but preferably at a point where the gasses of all cylinders pass the sensor. Translating the voltage signal into something visible can be done by a voltage meter. However, analogue voltage meters can damage the sensor because they draw too much current from the sensor. Digital voltage meters are usually too slow to react to the signal changes. Therefor most of the time a specially designed meter is used. Designs for such a device can be found on the internet. The complete meter can also be bought from most specialists dealing with tuned cars and or EMS.

yep as smirnoff says it's reset itself,I had exact same prob with a vectra, kept saying faulty lambda sensor but when had it checked out (voltage test) sensor was fine.So just ignored it whenever it said was lambda sensor (error 1131 I think ) never had any probs and drove the vectra as a taxi for 3 years.
Marty