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I learned some new things recently about the causes for the Malfunction Indicator Light/Check Engine Light (often abbreviated as MIL or CEL). Instead of posting to the various threads where these different causes are being discussed I thought I would try to consolidate the topic and create a thread dedicated to MIL issues and lessons learned.
Forum users, please help by keeping this thread on topic and only post replies related to the MIL, thanks!
The MIL indication illuminates for a variety of reasons. While initially and primarily meant to be an indication of an emissions system issue, on our Karma's the light illuminates due to several causes. While the MIL is illuminated the clock display in Stealth mode and the digital speed display in Sport mode is disabled.
Software version 6.15 addresses many but not all of the issues which lead to an MIL display. Here are some of the known open reasons and recommended solutions or workarounds:
AFAIK, there is no way for an end-user to self diagnose MIL codes and issues. There are OBD-II readers on the market that will allow you to download and sometimes clear codes that lead to the MIL, but there is no resource publicly available to translate those codes to causes and issues specific to our Fiskers. If you encounter the MIL you should have your Fisker technician investigate the root cause. While most MIL indicators are benign or display in error and can be safely ignored, others are potentially serious.
A flashing MIL is often indicative of a very serious issue. The vehicle should not be driven (and in many cases cannot be driven) until this is resolved.
If you know of other MIL causes and/or solutions please post them below, thanks!
Brent
I learned some new things recently about the causes for the Malfunction Indicator Light/Check Engine Light (often abbreviated as MIL or CEL). Instead of posting to the various threads where these different causes are being discussed I thought I would try to consolidate the topic and create a thread dedicated to MIL issues and lessons learned.
Forum users, please help by keeping this thread on topic and only post replies related to the MIL, thanks!
The MIL indication illuminates for a variety of reasons. While initially and primarily meant to be an indication of an emissions system issue, on our Karma's the light illuminates due to several causes. While the MIL is illuminated the clock display in Stealth mode and the digital speed display in Sport mode is disabled.
Software version 6.15 addresses many but not all of the issues which lead to an MIL display. Here are some of the known open reasons and recommended solutions or workarounds:
- Loose or missing gas cap. As an FYI, The vehicle will run the ICE whenever the gas cap is replaced after fueling regardless of Stealth/Sport mode selection. This is normal.
- An actual emissions system issue, such as a sticking evap valve
- Potentially serious issues such as ICE misfires
- OBD Code U019B: Lost Communication with Battery Charger Control Module. This occurs when the vehicle is charging and is interrupted by the car 'waking up' due to a door opening or locking/unlocking. According to my dealership there is now a software patch available to adjust the software that leads to this code. My dealership is now installing the patch on all of their customer vehicles. Note: This patch is not part of 6.15. It was released around the same time but isn't incorporated into the 6.15 delivery. You need to have this installed in addition to 6.15.
- OBD Code P18BF: Neutral Input B Circuit Switch Stick High. I learned of this today, as it a happened to me. Apparrently, whenever you put the car in Neutral it resets some count of issues or occurances that car maintains. I'm not exactly sure *what* is being counted, but if this count reaches a certain threshold this will generate the code and MIL. According to my dealer there is a software investigation under way now to fix this problem on all vehicles. He says that their engineers say an easy way to ensure it doesn’t come back on is to simply press the Neutral button once every couple days, perhaps while shifting into or out of park.
AFAIK, there is no way for an end-user to self diagnose MIL codes and issues. There are OBD-II readers on the market that will allow you to download and sometimes clear codes that lead to the MIL, but there is no resource publicly available to translate those codes to causes and issues specific to our Fiskers. If you encounter the MIL you should have your Fisker technician investigate the root cause. While most MIL indicators are benign or display in error and can be safely ignored, others are potentially serious.
A flashing MIL is often indicative of a very serious issue. The vehicle should not be driven (and in many cases cannot be driven) until this is resolved.
If you know of other MIL causes and/or solutions please post them below, thanks!
Brent
