Check Light And Check Engine Light

[325is1994]

whats the difference?

[93 325i]

"Check" light goes on for OBC fault codes ie- tailights out, brakes light bulbs out,etc..

"Check engine" light is for OBD fault codes ie- O2 sensor, Maf sensor, etc.. car 95 and older you can retrieve these codes with the gas pedal method. 96 and newer cars have to be read with a code reader to find out the problem

[325is1994]

ive tried the gas pedal method a million times and have never got it to work, is it cause my obc is constantly flashing brake light circuit?

[Rooz]

Check engine = somehting wrong with your engine, use an obd2 scan to see what is wrong.

Check control = something elese is wrong, hit the "check" button and it will tell you what's wrong.

[funtoos]

out of curiosity, what's the gas pedal method?

[93 325i]

Originally posted by funtoos@Jan 11 2005, 07:13 PM
out of curiosity, what's the gas pedal method?

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To access the codes on my car I have to pump the gas pedal very quickly. Try doing it as fast as you can..
Fault Codes

[funtoos]

thanx 93 325i...
this might sound stupid, but what does hitting the gas pedal do? where do i see the codes? do i have to get a code reader and plug it somewhere? perhaps in the hood where the oil reset light is?

thanx

[93 325i]

If your car is a 95 or older hitting the gas pedal 5 times initiates the fault code sequence. Turn the ignition key to "on" but not starting the car(it's the notch just before starting your car). Hit the pedal 5 times quickly and the "Check Enigine" will start a series of flashes. Record these flashes: Example
Flash(pause), Flash Flash(pause), Flash Flash(pause), Flash(pause)
1 - 2 - 2 - 1

According to the chart- code 1221=Oxygen Sensor #1 might be faulty

If your car is 96 and newer you have to buy a scan tool or have it read by a mechanic to find out what's wrong..

[funtoos]

thanx again...
if my car is behaving properly (meaning no check engine light or obc lights are on when i m driving), should i still do this check? or will i end up worrying myself over nothing by doing this? i was thinking about doing this as a preventive measure... what are yer thoughts?

[93 325i]

your welcome...I wouldn't worry about it then. You can try it out just because and it should flash out 1-4-4-4 (no more faults) if there currently is no check engine light on.