No Check Engine Light - BMW Forum

Eraj · 10-22-2004, 10:47 AM

I've had my car for 6 months now, and suddenly realized that my check engine light does not come on when the key is turned on, but all the other lights on the instrument cluster does. I changed the bulb, which was ok anyways, and checked the harnesses etc.

Any ideas? Does it sound like a loose connection, or maybe someone disconnected it on purpose? What do you think?

schilke · 10-22-2004, 11:08 AM

Could be what you said. Would be very interesting to hook up to a peake tool and read if there are any codes.

Fadec40 · 10-22-2004, 01:03 PM

Sounds like the previous owner may have permantly diabled the check engine light besides just removing the bulb.

Eraj · 10-22-2004, 01:13 PM

I tend to go with that theory. Either the previos owner or the dealership may have disabled this. Is there any way to check this? Is there a DIY anywhere guyz?

DesmoBob · 10-22-2004, 02:26 PM

i doubt the dealer would have done that. it may have been the PO that disconnected it somewhere along the line because there was a nagging fault that he didn't want to bother fixing.

since the light iself is nonfunctional, you can't do the obd-i gas pedal tapdance to pull the codes, so you'll have to get them read at the diag port. there IS a DTC generated for a faulty CEL bulb circuit, and the only way to read it is at the diag port. other than that, you'll have to manually test continuity end-to-end from the bulb receptacle to the pin at the DME (with the negative battery terminal disconnected of course).

Eraj · 10-25-2004, 09:13 AM

Thanks for the input guys. Guess I will be parting with some more hard earned $$ for this. Guess there's a price!!!

Thanks again.

bitcore · 10-25-2004, 09:38 AM

If you call around some cheeper mechanics and ask if they have a code tool for an E36 BMW, then you can get the codes much cheeper than if you roll on over to the stealer and get them to check it.
Granted, you'll probably still need to shell out a bit of cash but at least it won't be as much as the dealership

Eraj · 10-25-2004, 01:35 PM

yeah...I actually did find a place run by a guy who worked for a dealership before. Seems reasonable, and seems to have the right tools.

Thanks again.