"Service Engine Soon" Light

[dazzleman]

A couple of weeks ago, my "service engine soon" light came on.  It disappeared shortly afterward and I forgot about it.

Yesterday, it came on again.  This time, I paid more attention.  I was low on gas.  After I filled the car up with gas today, the light was gone.

This never happened before.  Any ideas on the cause of this?  Is it something I need to have looked at?

[S204STi]

Odd.

Was the fuel cap loose when you removed it?

[Rupert]

Overdue for an oil change?

[SVT_Power]

Don't worry. It's your car's way of telling you it wants you to do one of these

[Eye of the Tiger]

Don't worry. It's your car's way of telling you it wants you to do one of these

The things says "Service Engine Soon", not "Park the car for a year until you can decide if you should find a new engine or junk the whole heap and buy a Lumina."

[dazzleman]

Odd.

Was the fuel cap loose when you removed it?

I thought of that, but it didn't seem to be.

And the car's computer system indicated that nothing was amiss.

[dazzleman]

Overdue for an oil change?

I just had an oil change, and the engine has plenty of oil pressure, according to the computer system.  Maybe I should pull the dipstick instead of relying on the computer.

[sportyaccordy]

I think its telling you to go ///M

[S204STi]

Car under warranty?

[dazzleman]

Car under warranty?

Yes, but only until March 3rd.  Yikes, I didn't realize how close that was.  Maybe I better take it in.

[S204STi]

Yeah, might as well get it checked out for free.

[the Teuton]

Yes, but only until March 3rd.  Yikes, I didn't realize how close that was.  Maybe I better take it in.

You've had it that long with nothing even minor going amiss? That's odd for a BMW.

[dazzleman]

You've had it that long with nothing even minor going amiss? That's odd for a BMW.

Nothing major went amiss with this car or my previous BMW.  They've both been great cars.  The only real problem I had with either one were minor electrical problems.

[dazzleman]

Yeah, might as well get it checked out for free.

I guess, but that's such a PITA.  I have a lot going on this week, and I don't need this inconvenience.  I'll have to call the dealer on Monday.

[the Teuton]

Nothing major went amiss with this car or my previous BMW.  They've both been great cars.  The only real problem I had with either one were minor electrical problems.

Minor electrical problems are the only things I've really seen go wrong with BMWs -- besides a $1,300 iDrive replacement...

[ifcar]

Minor electrical problems are the only things I've really seen go wrong with BMWs -- besides a $1,300 iDrive replacement...

Unless it's just replaced with another iDrive unit, that's money well spent.

[AutobahnSHO]

Check the manual- some cars it's just a "time for an oilchange" indicator..

[CALL_911]

Go into iDrive and check the oil level.

Dad's car did that a couple of times. If you take it into the dealer, they'll top off some fluids/change the oil for you.

[dazzleman]

Go into iDrive and check the oil level.

Dad's car did that a couple of times. If you take it into the dealer, they'll top off some fluids/change the oil for you.

I just had the oil changed.  I went into iDrive and it told me everything was great.

[Onslaught]

I just had the oil changed.  I went into iDrive and it told me everything was great.

It realized that it was a month too soon and still in warranty. The car will wait until a day out of warranty and start fucking shit up.

[dazzleman]

It realized that it was a month too soon and still in warranty. The car will wait until a day out of warranty and start fucking shit up.

That's probably right...

[MX793]

A bad gas cap can set off CELs.  I've seen low coolant set off a CEL.  Engine knock can do it too.  If you're not already running premium, maybe try going to the next higher level of octane. 

There's been a stretch over the past two summers where mine would be on from Monday through Thursday, then turn off on Friday for several weeks.  No idea exactly what caused it.  Seemed to happen when it was hot and humid/rainy.  Tried different gas stations thinking it might be bad gas, but that made no difference.  Nearest I can figure is it was a knock sensor tripping a code.

[Laconian]

I don't understand why i-Drive isn't capable of displaying more detailed diagnostic information. It's just a few numbers for chrissakes.

[Rupert]

I don't understand why i-Drive isn't capable of displaying more detailed diagnostic information. It's just a few numbers for chrissakes.

That would be so plebian.

[dazzleman]

A bad gas cap can set off CELs.  I've seen low coolant set off a CEL.  Engine knock can do it too.  If you're not already running premium, maybe try going to the next higher level of octane. 

There's been a stretch over the past two summers where mine would be on from Monday through Thursday, then turn off on Friday for several weeks.  No idea exactly what caused it.  Seemed to happen when it was hot and humid/rainy.  Tried different gas stations thinking it might be bad gas, but that made no difference.  Nearest I can figure is it was a knock sensor tripping a code.

Thanks.  I'm thinking it could be the gas cap, and that this comes into play when the tank is low.

I already use the highest octane available, so it can't be that.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Yes, but only until March 3rd.  Yikes, I didn't realize how close that was.  Maybe I better take it in.

Reminds me when my mom took the Allroad in right before it hit 50,000 miles where the warranty would be voided to get something fixed and the car serviced. About 500 miles past 50k, the very same thing broke. She took it back and they wanted her to pay for the part and labor, but she held her ground and got it for free. Those tricky bastards!

[dazzleman]

After disappearing for a few weeks, the "Service Engine Soon" light has now come back on.  Previously, it only came on when the gas tank was nearly empty, and went off when I refueled the tank.  Now, it's on with a full tank. 

The diagnostic system says everything is fine.  I guess I'm going to have to take the car in.  It's so fucking inconvenient.

[AutobahnSHO]

It's so fucking inconvenient.

yes.

[saxonyron]

Well Dave, strictly speaking in a legal sense, it's really only suggesting that you service the engine soon. I wouldn't worry about it till you hear some serious crunching sounds from the engine bay or you get stranded on the side of the Merrit Parkway.  That would be a better indicator of exactly how "soon" you need to get to service. 


But seriously, I guess one service light in 4 years isn't too bad.  Set up your appointment early enough and they'll get you a loaner for sure.  Unless they're far away, I look at a trip to the dealer as a chance to check out the new models, drool over an S5 and think irresponsible thoughts about my next possible purchase.  It's not so bad if you look at it from that perspective.  Who knows, you might come out of there rolling phat in a new 7er!   

[r0tor]

Is your "Service Engine Soon" Light (you need an oil change) the same or different then a Check Engine Light (your engine is h0sed)?  Maybe the numbnutzes never changed the counter last time they did you oil change?