Engine lost power, now engine light on

[smoker]

Hi,
Driving my 52 reg Xsara 110hdi today, trying to accelerate to overtake a vehicle and the engine lost power (but kept running), then the engine light came on. A few seconds later it picked up, and has restarted and driven fine since then.

I think I have two choices: (i) try and clear the warning light and hope it was just one of those things, or (ii) investigate, I guess starting with a code reader (which I don't have and have never used one...).

So, can anyone suggest an easy way to clear the fault and extinguish the engine warning light? Similarly, is there a preferred (and preferably cheap) code reader that might give me a starting point as to what might have gone on? As suggested above, I wouldn't even know where to plug one in to the car, although following that I'm reasonably handy when it comes to swapping parts over as necessary.

Any help greatly appreciated!

[RichardW]

Most likely the fuel filter needs changing - I would start there as it's cheap and easy. Once the fault is cleared the light should go out after a few starts. For diagnostics you really need Diagbox, but there is a list of members who've got the kit and might help here http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 19&t=29178

[smoker]

Thanks. Filter now changed and car running fine (but then the incident was a one off so no way of knowing for sure if the filter was the cause.) Found a few small shiny bits, I assume fragments of metal, in the bottom of the filter housing which was a little worrying. Have to see how things go now.

Thx again