Check Engine

[Black318IS]

ok, so i go and spend 500$ on new tires today and come home. i parked my car and left about an hour later and now my check engine light is on. i have no clue what it could be. does anyone have any ideas? i need to fix this

[bigred318]

hmm well its not your new tires! hahaha, anyways theres somany possibilities of what it could be check engine light could be anything!! is your car making any weird noises, not running right etc? it could just be a sensor you should get it hooked up to a diagnostic.. but that is $$$
[
David

[bigred318]

oh yeah do you have like an aftermarket exhuat or anything? things like that can throw a code sometimes

David

[agtur2001]

When my engine light turned on in my 318is, the code pointed towards my alternator. I replaced the Voltage Regulator and it's fine now. Run the Diag first and get the code.

[bigred318]

yeah my alternator has gone out twice in my other e36 and both times the check light would come on, but just like 30 min before my car would lose all power and die completely. my abs light along with others would come on too... the onyl way you will realyl find out is to hook it up to a diagonstic

David

[24valve]

Originally posted by bigred318@Dec 28 2004, 12:53 PM
hmm well its not your new tires! hahaha, anyways theres somany possibilities of what it could be check engine light could be anything!! is your car making any weird noises, not running right etc? it could just be a sensor you should get it hooked up to a diagnostic.. but that is $$$
[
David

[snapback]259664[/snapback]

That's not true. The "Check Engine" light only comes on when there's an emissions related matter amiss - for example, a problem with the catalytic converter or oxygen sensors.

Go to Advance Auto Parts and have your codes scanned for free, then come back here and these guys should be able to tell you what to do. It could just be that you need to replace a sensor, etc.

[bigred318]

didnt i say its probably just a sensor? haha

David

[BlantonG13]

anything after late 95 can have so many other reasons than just emissions...do a forum search and check out the results from the user "Furious" because I am dealing with the same check engine light problem. My car is a 96, so I have to have it Diag'd

[agtur2001]

Before I replaced my Voltage Regulator... I had to replace my Oxygen Sensor as well.

Found codes here.

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/repair_faqs/motronic.html

Hope this helps... Good Luck!

used

[Black318IS]

I just realized that my inspection bars have gone all the way done and it now says it need an inspection. If i were to reset that, would that posssibly take the light off?

[Deloriant]

Gas cap on tight?

[-pimpin328is-]

Originally posted by 24valve@Dec 28 2004, 02:59 PM

That's not true. The "Check Engine" light only comes on when there's an emissions related matter

[snapback]259749[/snapback]

not on my car at least, my check light come on for tons more than just emissions related matters. My check engine light is on right now for low coolant, and low washer fluid.

[drz]

Originally posted by Black318IS@Dec 30 2004, 01:44 AM
I just realized that my inspection bars have gone all the way done and it now says it need an inspection. If i were to reset that, would that posssibly take the light off?

[snapback]260791[/snapback]

Sure, you can try that. But I would still take it to Autozon or Advanced Auto parts to get the code read. It's free! Then someone here will tell you what to do about it. Go do it... right now!! Just kidding.

[bigred318]

i have had my inspection light on for a year on my other e36 check engine never came on cause of it

David

[24valve]

Originally posted by -pimpin328is-+Dec 30 2004, 10:09 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(-pimpin328is- @ Dec 30 2004, 10:09 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-24valve@Dec 28 2004, 02:59 PM

That's not true. The "Check Engine" light only comes on when there's an emissions related matter

[snapback]259749[/snapback]

not on my car at least, my check light come on for tons more than just emissions related matters. My check engine light is on right now for low coolant, and low washer fluid.

[snapback]260937[/snapback]

[/b][/quote]

Check Control maybe, but not Check Engine. Manual says word for word that the small check engine light in the gauge console relates to emissions only.