"check Engine" Light

[precision0904]

i got a 1995 325is and the light just came on. i really dont feel like going to a bodyshop and paying a grip load of money just to turn it off. i went to a parts store and they said that they would do it for me for free, but the problem that we encounter is that we couldnt find the plug to stick the thing into. if anyone knows where the damn thing is please tell me i would greatly appreciate it.

[97alpineM3]

I wouldnt be worried about turning it off... I'd be worried about figuring out why its on... or do you know already????

Les

[kestrel325is]

Originally posted by precision0904@Nov 8 2004, 11:51 PM
i got a 1995 325is and the light just came on. i really dont feel like going to a bodyshop and paying a grip load of money just to turn it off. i went to a parts store and they said that they would do it for me for free, but the problem that we encounter is that we couldnt find the plug to stick the thing into. if anyone knows where the damn thing is please tell me i would greatly appreciate it.

[snapback]227240[/snapback]

The plug for the code reader is on the left side of the engine bay, as you stand in front of the car. It's a circular plug that you unscrew the top of.

[3serbmdubya]

if i am not mistaking, since its a 95, then its still OBDI. what you do is, start by turning the ignition key on (do not start the engine) and pressing the gas pedal to the floor five times within a period of five seconds. If you proceeded correctly, then the check engine lamp will light on for five seconds, then blink off, then blink on for 2.5 seconds, and then go off for another 2.5 seconds. After this, the computer will start to show you the trouble fault codes that are stored.

this website has a table with all the codes.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticl...ode_Reading.htm

enjoy

[NyteRyda]

change your oxygen sensor. i had the same problem in my car and after i changed the o2 sensor there was no more check engiene light. the light comes on due to emission problems.

[PhunkDJti]

actually the light can come on for any number of reasons in bimmers. always good to get it checked out cuz it actually could be something more serious ( where as with domestic cars - 99.999% of the time its the o2 sensor)

[bitcore]

Originally posted by NyteRyda@Nov 9 2004, 09:44 PM
change your oxygen sensor. i had the same problem in my car and after i changed the o2 sensor there was no more check engiene light. the light comes on due to emission problems.

[snapback]227714[/snapback]

check engine light does not always mean that the O2 sensor is faulty, and you have two oxygen sensors to boot. The check engine light can be really any sensor that detects something out of normal range or just a faulty sensor.
I've burnt an O2 sensor, cam pulse sensor and blew out a blower motor before and all of those threw a fault code, thus the check engine light came on.


If your car is OBDII, you need to go to a dealership or someone who has a fault code reader and at least get the code and look it up to see what the computer is complaining about. Your best bet is to go to the dealership. If it's really expensive, (which practically everything with them is) they wont make you pay for anything until you tell them to so if it's something simple like an O2 sensor, you can buy one and do it yourself.
if your OBDI, then just do the gas pedal dance and get the codes yourself, look them up, and if they are serious business, go to dealer or other mechanic and say "I need to replace X"

[Cruzin 323is]

did u just get gas... i had a problem once, and when i got gas, they didn't close the cap all the way.. check that out!

[mech9T8]

Actually, if I'm right the 4-cyl has 2 O2 sensors while the 6-cyl has 4 O2 sensors.
Well I have a 96 328 and I definitely have 4.

[k2c69n]

does anyone have a site where to buy new o2 sesnors.

[mixalot]

I recently replaced the o2 sensor in my 94 325 (it has one). The price at Advance Auto Parts was cheaper than anything I found online. $82.00. The bitch is getting the old one loosened without the car falling on your head.

[epheterson]

Mine came on a while ago, I (I know I shouldn't have..) ignored it and it turned off by itself. I guess the problem wasn't bad?

[mech9T8]

Believe it or not the cheapest place I found to buy O2 sensors is at the dealer.
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