The FAP indicator is on: how to erase it?
Content
The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) reduces particulate emissions in the vehicle. It is located on the exhaust line. If the DPF or engine warning light comes on, the DPF is clogged with soot. To turn it off, you need to carry out self-diagnosis and DPF cleaning.
💡 What to do when the DPF indicator is on?
Le particulate filter your car, or DPF, helps reduce the emission of pollutants from your car. In France it is mandatory on new diesel engines since 2011. Also found on some gasoline vehicles.
Located on exhaust line In a car, DPF works in two cycles: we need to set filtration. и regeneration... It traps suspended particles before they fly away, forming a layer of soot that must be removed, most often by increasing the temperature, which causes it to burn.
Soot build-up, if not cleaned periodically, can clog your DPF. This leads to the failure of not only the particulate filter, but also the vehicle itself.
To notify you of a problem, depending on your vehicle, two DPF warning lights may come on:
- Le engine warning light ;
- Un DPF indicator specific if your vehicle has one: it is orange and represents the DPF circuit.
When the DPF warning light comes on, it is synonymous with a problem with the particulate filter, usually due to a clogged filter. For example, it could be:
- Of a combustion defect that does not properly burn off soot that has accumulated to such an extent that it interferes with the operation of the particulate filter;
- Of a nozzle problem which led to an increase in the formation of soot in the particulate filter;
- Of a worry about temperaturewhich prevents the DPF from regenerating properly.
Typically, during the DPF regeneration phase, the soot is automatically burned to preserve the filter. But this temperature should be at least 550 ° C, which corresponds to an engine speed of about 3000 rpm. On short trips or in the city, the engine speed is never so high, which leads to a clogged diesel particulate filter.
If the DPF warning light comes on, the DPF must be cleaned. You must go to the garage to spend self-diagnosis and confirm the source of the problem, then clear the DPF to extinguish the warning light.
🚗 Can I drive with the DPF warning light on?
Indicators on the dashboard indicate a problem with the vehicle. This naturally also applies to the DPF warning light. If it comes on, your DPF is broken or clogged.
If you continue to drive with the DPF warning light on, you run the risk of:
- What's yours the engine goes into degraded mode : then it will be impossible to move faster than at a reduced speed;
- D 'increase emissions of pollutants ;
- D 'fail at technical control ;
- D 'increase your consumption gasoline ;
- D 'seriously damage your engine.
Therefore, driving with the DPF warning light on can have serious consequences that range from loss of power to damage to parts of your engine.
If the DPF warning light comes on, you should not continue driving, especially in a degraded mode, which is the engine's self-defense response. Go to the garage immediately, especially since the particulate filter malfunction may be due to a malfunction of another part, such as the injectors.
🔎 How to turn off DPF light?
When the DPF warning light comes on, it indicates a clogged or risk of clogging the diesel particulate filter. If you react quickly, that's enough le nettoyer accumulated soot to extinguish the DPF warning light and restore normal filter operation.
Start in the garage to perform self-diagnosis : In fact, the scan tool displays error codes that confirm that the DPF is clogged. This will eliminate another cause of the DPF warning light or failure of another part.
If simple DPF cleaning enough to fix the problem, your mechanic will take care of it. Hence, this will turn off the DPF light. In some serious cases, unfortunately, it is necessary replacing the particulate filter if you've waited too long to react.
To prevent the DPF warning light from coming on, periodically start a regeneration of the particulate filter. To do this, travel on the freeway from time to time at more than 3000 rpm.
👨🔧 FAP indicator on and off: what to do?
It is important not to ignore the DPF warning light that is lit as you risk damaging the engine. It's the same with DPF indicator flashes : This could indicate a clogged diesel particulate filter or a sensor malfunction.
If the DPF warning light comes on and off, go to the garage immediately to diagnose and determine the source of the problem. This could be a particulate filter malfunction or an electrical problem that needs to be fixed.
Now you know why the DPF warning light comes on and how to turn it off! Take action immediately and go to one of our trusted garages to have your DPF cleaned before it damages your engine.
