I’ve seen hundreds of forum threads and even blog articles from super experts explaining that the “car with spanner” warning light in Vauxhall vehicles is the service-soon reminder. They say it reminds you about an oil change or something. But it’s not completely true!
You should be careful with this. While the “car with spanner” warning light indeed can remind you about an upcoming oil change interval, it can also tell you about a minor problem with some engine sensor or system. For example, it will stay on when there are issues with emissions or the readings of a certain sensor.
While it may or may not be accompanied by other lights and error messages, it’s not always that easy to locate the actual problem.
What’s the “car with the spanner” light?
You may know that there is a check-engine light in your Vauxhall with the pictogram of the engine illuminating yellow when something is wrong with the sensors or ECU. So, it’s quite natural to think that the “car with spanner” light is the service reminder.
But Vauxhall has never been predictable and straightforward when it comes to warning lights, hasn’t it? Especially now, when Peugeot added some of its highly sophisticated self-diagnostic features.
So, here’s what this light is there for:
- It really can remind you about the mileage or time interval for an oil change. Usually, there are no other lights and also no codes stored in the ECU when it’s all about the oil change.
- It can illuminate when there is a minor problem with some of the engine sensors like the O2 sensor or diesel exhaust filter.
- It can show some issues that can potentially lead to limp mode and limit the power of the vehicle, but for now, this is just a warning. If limp mode is active, you will see other lights and messages, too.
Actually, it’s hard to understand why Vauxhall would do that. They introduced one more engine-problem light that can also mean that the oil should be changed soon. And left you thinking about what exactly this annoying light wants from you.
This genius self-diagnostic system is topped up by the fact that when you use a simple cheap OBD2 scanner, you will most likely see no codes, so you will think that the problem is minor. But no, you will need a better scanner to ask from various control units.
How to clearly understand what’s happening?
There are two ways you can understand what the problem is.
The first one is not recommended: keep driving and see what else will be triggered. For example, if you see the emission control light or the check engine light after several miles, you can clearly know that there is a code and you can get it with almost any scanner.
Alternatively, there is the second (recommended) way to get things clear. Use a good Vauxhall scanner and proper software to communicate with several important control units (not just the ECU) and read the codes. In most cases, you will see what triggers the light.
Of course, you can also get to a good garage or dealership and ask them for help. But bear in mind that these days simple diagnostics will cost you about 50 pounds/euros depending on your location.
Can you drive with the “car with spanner” warning light?
Well, in most cases, this light doesn’t mean that something horrible is happening with your vehicle. So, the car literally tells you that you can drive some more miles without damaging anything. Also, there is a chance that your Vauxhall just remembered about the oil change due and decided to remind you.
But if you see other lights, driving the car may not be the wisest idea. The problem is that the “car with spanner” light is very often triggered by minor issues with the emission control systems like the oxygen sensor. Modern ECUs are set to set your vehicle to limp-home mode once something is not OK with emissions.
So, you may have to drive 5-10 MPH because of power limits. And this is not going to be the brightest experience of your life.
Some more things that can trigger the spanner light
The complete list of functions for this light has been different for several generations and models of Vauxhall vehicles, but I managed to find the following systems that are connected to it:
- engine electronics – basically all sensors and wiring units;
- immobilizer – the thing that makes sure to cut power and fuel from the engine if there is something wrong with a key or other anti-theft features;
- automatic transmission – it appears that the light can also illuminate when the gearbox is faulty.
At least, this is what different Vauxhall manuals say about the light. I should say here that I’ve only seen it going on because of the emission system problems. At all other times, the check engine light with some intricate combinations will likely illuminate.
I should add that a blown fuse may also be the reason for this. As the manual says the light may tell you about engine electronics, it’s quite clear that several types of fuses may also trigger the light.
What are some DIY methods to deal with this light?
If you read my other articles, you know that I often offer some DIY ways to solve the problem. And this article won’t be an exception.
Here’s what you can try:
- Turn the car off, wait for some time, and turn it on. Surprisingly, it may solve the problem and the light will not bother you.
- Disconnect the battery. First the negative terminal, then the positive. Keep it like this for 5-7 minutes, connect the cables (first positive, then negative), and see if the problem disappeared. This is the way to reset the battery.
- Check your fuses in the under-hood box. You can do this with a multimeter. Set it to continuity and touch the metal contacts on top of the fuse with the multimeter contacts. There should be continuity between these metal spots.
- Use a simple affordable scanner to read the codes. Maybe, you are lucky and can get the codes from the ECU with a 30-pound scanner.
Unfortunately, that’s all. If you have issues with wiring or emissions, you will need professional help. Find a good mechanic who can diagnose the vehicle and find out why the car with spanner light bothers you.
Also, read my article about the Engine Fault Repair Needed message in Vauxhall – you may find it useful!
If you have experience in dealing with the car-with-spanner light, please share it in the comments below to let other Vauxhall owners avoid expensive mistakes!
