"ENGINE SYSTEM SERVICE URGENT" after replacing battery

[GekkePrutser]

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering if any of you would know how to clear this fault.

I've been having a bad battery for a while, leading to difficulty starting, I've had to break out the booster pack several times. I think what didn't help is that I'm often away for weeks on end so it ends up deep discharging. Also various error messages came up (most likely due to the low voltage on the battery), such as power steering fault etc. This got worse lately. I came back from holidays and it was dead again, and even a 30min drive wouldn't get it in startable condition anymore.

Today I finally got around to buying a new battery, and installing it went smoothly. However, after installing it, it is still showing the "ENGINE SYSTEM SERVICE URGENT" message and the red warning light is on. I'm pretty sure this happened during the last time I tried to start with the dead battery. But I can't clear it for some reason.

I think this error is stuck in the ECU somewhere. I tried resetting the warnings using the dash method (pressing the button under the speedo for 4 seconds) and it resets as normal, the engine warning light is also not on!

Also, I tried resetting it through the OBD with the Torque app. I also see no active faults when I scan it. So I'm pretty sure there's nothing wrong with the engine. It also performs as normal.

But still this error remains. I can clear it after starting using either method, however when I turn it off and on it appears again.

I'd say the dealer could clear it but they always fleece me for extra things so I'm not really looking forward to that. I'd really like to clear this fault to see if it reappears because I wanted to sell the car soon (moving to Spain so I don't need it anymore), or give it away to my girlfriend. But that won't work with the engine light on And it feels bad scrapping it because it's in decent condition otherwise. And I just spent 100 on a new battery.

I wouldn't sell it for much anyway as it's an '05 but still, it feels like a waste to just scrap it. It's been serving me very well and is still in great condition. I figured if I could clear the fault it would appear again if it was something real, anyway and I'm only going in 4 weeks time. Also, I doubt it is a real fault as there are no faults in OBD at all.

I'm kind of kicking myself now for buying that battery as I may have to scrap it now (not going to pay the dealer hundreds of euros to get it cleared of course).

Just wondering: Is there any chance this'll clear itself after a while of proper running? Or after leaving the battery disconnected for a long time?