Catalytic Converter Warning Light

[Myriad2112]

Hello. I have a problem with my 2010 Vauxhall Corsa. A few weeks ago I came off the motorway and the warning light came on followed increase in petrol consumption and a slight cough in the engine. Next day the light went off and all was fine but today it happened again. Does anyone know if this is going to be costly? Thanks for any advice.

[tonyav]

Does the light flash yellow whist the engine is running ?.
If it doesn't flash then it's most likely the lambda sensor ( oxygen sensor ), this is usually screwed into the exhaust downpipe ( quite easy to change ).
However to be sure what the fault is it will have to plugged into a diagnostic computer to have the fault code read.

[douglas9401]

You might want to try taking it onto a motorway and giving it a good old rev to the redline in every gear then select a gear that'll keep the engine revving high while you're doing 70.
It may just need a good old pull through, especially if you do a lot of slow town driving.

[Myriad2112]

Thank you both. Tony the yellow light flashed the first time then the second time it stayed on until I turned the ignition off. Douglas it was just after coming off a motorway that the problem started. Just wonder if it sounds an expensive job?

[bhg481]

Looking on the dark side it could be an engine problem. Is the exhaust smokey? Any other unusual occurences with the car's running after the hiccup? I would avoid Danny's advice to give it a good revving, just in case and take it to a garage to have the fault diagnosed properly.

[Myriad2112]

Oh no. i do hope not. it's not smokey and no other problems that I can tell.