Check engine light on but no problems

E92LNGCGY · 06-22-2011, 09:34 AM

I started my car this morning and the check engine light came on. Looked in the engine bay for a visual inspection and couldn't see anything. Started driving and doesn't feel any different.

What could the problem be? Any ideas?

Chriztofor · 06-22-2011, 10:16 AM

See my sig., you need to pull codes. Try your local auto part store, maybe they will read the codes for you.

Chriztofor · 06-22-2011, 10:17 AM

Another thought, try tightening your gas cap. It could be that simple.

E92LNGCGY · 06-22-2011, 01:04 PM

Thanks. I will try that.

e90pilot · 06-22-2011, 01:08 PM

If it was the gas cap you would have gotten a gas cap warning for three startups before the SES light. Get it scanned. Usually it's something subtle and will get worse if left unchecked.

Delta0311 · 06-22-2011, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90pilot

If it was the gas cap you would have gotten a gas cap warning for three startups before the SES light. Get it scanned. Usually it's something subtle and will get worse if left unchecked.

Good point. I would invest a bit of cash and get a BT and OBDII scanner.

Tom K. · 06-22-2011, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90pilot

If it was the gas cap you would have gotten a gas cap warning for three startups before the SES light. Get it scanned. Usually it's something subtle and will get worse if left unchecked.

Or, like my 128i, it may simply go away in a day or so - leaving no trace.

Tom

Chriztofor · 06-22-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90pilot

If it was the gas cap you would have gotten a gas cap warning for three startups before the SES light. Get it scanned. Usually it's something subtle and will get worse if left unchecked.

We have a gas cap warning light?

E92LNGCGY · 06-22-2011, 01:50 PM

Tried the gas cap thing. Doesn't work.
I've got a service appointment for July 15 (earliest they can get).
Just some back ground on the car.

2009 335
Dinan stage 2
4400 kms
Last service was the annual oil change back in April
And the HPFP recall also in April

e90pilot · 06-22-2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

We have a gas cap warning light?

Yup, but it's not really an individual light like the SES light. It's a yellow warning that comes up on the LCD. After the third startup it assumes that you've checked the gas cap and there is a leak in the fuel vent/PCV system.

DJ.E92 · 07-11-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

We have a gas cap warning light?

Have the same problem... I'm going tomorrow to get it checked. Keep you posted.

ceb · 07-12-2011, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92LNGCGY

Tried the gas cap thing. Doesn't work.
I've got a service appointment for July 15 (earliest they can get).
Just some back ground on the car.

2009 335
Dinan stage 2
4400 kms
Last service was the annual oil change back in April
And the HPFP recall also in April

If it is the gas cap then it'll take a week or so to go away. When did you last buy gas?

DLE · 07-12-2011, 12:16 AM

Since there's no visual flaws, it's most likely in the engine. Could be anything though. Stop by Autozone to scan your car for free.

ENINTY · 07-12-2011, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLE

Since there's no visual flaws, it's most likely in the engine. Could be anything though. Stop by Autozone to scan your car for free.

Not exactly. The "Check Engine Light", or "Service Engine Soon" as it is called on our cars, when illuminated, means there is something wrong with an emissions related system, and only the emissions system. The SES light is the OBDII indicator light, which means there is a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) present in the system, and the car has gone through an emissions control self test and found one of the emission-related control systems to be out of specification. There are many other DTCs that do not illuminate the SES and are only indicated during a scan of the vehicle modules. OBDII codes are only found in the ECU (engine control unit).

The OP has an emissions related issue. Going to Autozone to have the code read is good advice however. Getting a BMW specific scan tool is better since it will show all DTCs present in each of the cars control modules.

DJ.E92 · 07-13-2011, 12:16 PM

I had to pay $130 to get the light turned off from bmw. They told me it was bcuz of my intake which I had on for over a year...

Glim · 07-13-2011, 10:29 PM

Times like these this is your best friend:

Bavarian Technic

06-22-2011, 09:34 AM	#1
E92LNGCGY Lieutenant Colonel 433 Rep 1,732 Posts Drives: F97/Q5/982 GT4 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Check engine light on but no problems I started my car this morning and the check engine light came on. Looked in the engine bay for a visual inspection and couldn't see anything. Started driving and doesn't feel any different. What could the problem be? Any ideas?
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06-22-2011, 10:16 AM	#2
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	See my sig., you need to pull codes. Try your local auto part store, maybe they will read the codes for you. __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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06-22-2011, 10:17 AM	#3
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	Another thought, try tightening your gas cap. It could be that simple. __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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06-22-2011, 01:04 PM	#4
E92LNGCGY Lieutenant Colonel 433 Rep 1,732 Posts Drives: F97/Q5/982 GT4 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks. I will try that.
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06-22-2011, 01:08 PM	#5
e90pilot Freight Dawg 102 Rep 2,103 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oakland, CA iTrader: (3)	If it was the gas cap you would have gotten a gas cap warning for three startups before the SES light. Get it scanned. Usually it's something subtle and will get worse if left unchecked. __________________ --Marcelo '06 Arctic Metallic 325i \| Sport Package \| 6MT \| Dinan Stage III suspension \| Dinan exhaust \| 330i manifold swap! Click here! \| Active Autowerke tune \| 135i Brake Calipers \| Deiselboost caliper brackets \| E46 M3 front rotors
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06-22-2011, 01:50 PM	#9
E92LNGCGY Lieutenant Colonel 433 Rep 1,732 Posts Drives: F97/Q5/982 GT4 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Tried the gas cap thing. Doesn't work. I've got a service appointment for July 15 (earliest they can get). Just some back ground on the car. 2009 335 Dinan stage 2 4400 kms Last service was the annual oil change back in April And the HPFP recall also in April
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07-12-2011, 12:16 AM	#13
DLE Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 282 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328XI Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Memphis iTrader: (0)	Since there's no visual flaws, it's most likely in the engine. Could be anything though. Stop by Autozone to scan your car for free.
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07-13-2011, 12:16 PM	#15
DJ.E92 Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 257 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I had to pay $130 to get the light turned off from bmw. They told me it was bcuz of my intake which I had on for over a year...
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07-13-2011, 10:29 PM	#16
Glim Captain 21 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 2006 330i & 2013 X5 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Victoria, BC iTrader: (0)	Times like these this is your best friend: Bavarian Technic Last edited by Glim; 07-17-2011 at 02:05 AM..
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