Went to look at a car for my mate yesterday, it's a 1999 T-reg facelift saloon, but it has the black and green test connectors under the dash. Hooked them up, and it reported a code 12 (start sensor) and code 23 (MAF).

Not too concerned about the MAF as I recognised it's the newer cheaper one than the one I just had to replace on my 98MY car (grrrrr) but what does a code 12 mean? Is it serious? Car seems to start and drive fine. The seller did mention that it occasionally takes a while to start on really cold mornings but I was under the impression this isn't uncommon on classics?

 

The Code 12 could be due to the fact the car has been "bump started" at some time ( ECU did not receive the cranking signal from the starter solenoid).

Mick

 

I've suggested to my mate that before he parts with the cash, he asks the seller to reset the codes and then take it for a decent test drive again. If the codes go, and don't come back, then he's got much less to worry about.