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?
Odd.
Was the fuel cap loose when you removed it?
Overdue for an oil change?
Don't worry. It's your car's way of telling you it wants you to do one of these
(http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2706/40/54/501893413/n501893413_1675106_4947571.jpg)
Quote from: SVT_Power on February 20, 2010, 02:48:32 PM
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."
Quote from: R-inge on February 20, 2010, 02:32:15 PM
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.
Quote from: Rupert on February 20, 2010, 02:39:57 PM
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.
I think its telling you to go ///M
Car under warranty?
Quote from: R-inge on February 20, 2010, 03:28:51 PM
Car under warranty?
Yes, but only until March 3rd. Yikes, I didn't realize how close that was. Maybe I better take it in.
Yeah, might as well get it checked out for free.
Quote from: dazzleman on February 20, 2010, 03:33:39 PM
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.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 20, 2010, 04:47:46 PM
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.
Quote from: R-inge on February 20, 2010, 04:10:27 PM
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.
Quote from: dazzleman on February 20, 2010, 04:53:01 PM
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...
Quote from: the Teuton on February 20, 2010, 04:56:08 PM
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.
Check the manual- some cars it's just a "time for an oilchange" indicator..
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.
Quote from: CALL_911 on February 20, 2010, 11:15:10 PM
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.
Quote from: dazzleman on February 21, 2010, 06:36:01 AM
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.
Quote from: Onslaught on February 21, 2010, 07:53:24 AM
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...
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.
I don't understand why i-Drive isn't capable of displaying more detailed diagnostic information. It's just a few numbers for chrissakes.
Quote from: Laconian on February 21, 2010, 03:41:53 PM
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.
Quote from: MX793 on February 21, 2010, 02:44:00 PM
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.
Quote from: dazzleman on February 20, 2010, 03:33:39 PM
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!
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. :banghead:
The diagnostic system says everything is fine. I guess I'm going to have to take the car in. It's so fucking inconvenient.
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. :devil:
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! :ohyeah:
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?
Quote from: r0tor on March 16, 2010, 01:43:50 PM
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?
I think they're the same. It definitely doesn't need an oil change. I just got one recently. And when I check all the system in the computer, they all come out OK. Now, the light is off again. There's no rhyme or reason to it.
It's possible that the system wasn't reset when you got the oil change.
Quote from: the Teuton on March 21, 2010, 11:58:56 AM
It's possible that the system wasn't reset when you got the oil change.
No, because the system tells me when I need the next oil change, and it's not now.
I'm such an idiot. What I should do is check the dipstick. Maybe I need a quart of oil. I shouldn't since I recently had the oil changed, but it's worth a check.
Quote from: dazzleman on March 22, 2010, 07:49:43 PM
No, because the system tells me when I need the next oil change, and it's not now.
I'm such an idiot. What I should do is check the dipstick. Maybe I need a quart of oil. I shouldn't since I recently had the oil changed, but it's worth a check.
Your car has a dipstick? LOLZ.
Quote from: the Teuton on March 22, 2010, 08:16:48 PM
Your car has a dipstick? LOLZ.
Doesn't every car have a dipstick for the oil? How else would you check it?
Quote from: dazzleman on March 24, 2010, 07:00:33 PM
Doesn't every car have a dipstick for the oil? How else would you check it?
Newer BMWs don't, but yours might be old enough that it still has one.
Quote from: dazzleman on March 24, 2010, 07:00:33 PM
Doesn't every car have a dipstick for the oil? How else would you check it?
The oil level sensor, I guess. BMW must really trust those sensors.
Quote from: R-inge on March 24, 2010, 07:56:51 PM
The oil level sensor, I guess. BMW must really trust those sensors.
Or really be confident that the engine won't burn oil until after the warranty's up.
I believe Porsche no longer uses dipsticks. Germans must be the only ones to stupid enough to eliminate a $0.50 part for a $20 computer system.
Quote from: 280Z Turbo on March 24, 2010, 11:10:09 PM
I believe Porsche no longer uses dipsticks. Germans must be the only ones to stupid enough to eliminate a $0.50 part for a $20 computer system.
Zee eeficientzee ist sehr besser than zee stoopeed dipstick.
Since most owners don't check the oil level anyway I have to wonder if it doesn't make some sense. If the sensor were able to detect dangerously low oil levels, and has some built-in diagnostics which allow the PCM to tell if it's actually working or not, it could work just fine. Until the costly sensor fails, that is. :evildude:
Quote from: R-inge on March 25, 2010, 12:30:26 PM
Since most owners don't check the oil level anyway I have to wonder if it doesn't make some sense. If the sensor were able to detect dangerously low oil levels, and has some built-in diagnostics which allow the PCM to tell if it's actually working or not, it could work just fine. Until the costly sensor fails, that is. :evildude:
Exactly. I don't necessarily "trust" any sensors. My friend's MB had some sensor detect he had been in an accident (when he really hadn't) and his car started stopping on the middle of the highway and going nuts and almost caused a real accident.
I wonder why they couldn't just have a sensor AND a dipstick?
Quote from: TurboDan on March 25, 2010, 01:05:21 PM
I wonder why they couldn't just have a sensor AND a dipstick?
I have both... fear the japanese
Quote from: TBR on March 24, 2010, 07:01:59 PM
Newer BMWs don't, but yours might be old enough that it still has one.
His car has an N52, it doesn't.
I wonder if eliminating the dipstick makes the design of the engine packaging easier? Can they achieve tighter tolerances in the block or heads without it?
no...
Quote from: Laconian on March 29, 2010, 10:27:51 PM
I wonder if eliminating the dipstick makes the design of the engine packaging easier? Can they achieve tighter tolerances in the block or heads without it?
It simply involves a hole and tube that a metal rod goes through to measure the depth of the oil in the pan. It has nothing to do with anything else. Eliminating it doesn't save much money, probably none when compared to the cost of the electronics to replace it. Doesn't make the engine any more reliable; does it automatically shut the engine down if low oil is detected? Does it detect if some numb nuts at an oil change place overfills the crankcase?
I can think of no reasonable reason to eliminate it. Sensors can fail the only failure one can experience with a dipstick is to not check the oil level in the first place. Is BMW admitting it's custoimers are too stupid to know to check the oil occasionally? Or is this some ploy to generate more service revenue?
Quote from: EtypeJohn on March 30, 2010, 07:41:58 AM
It simply involves a hole and tube that a metal rod goes through to measure the depth of the oil in the pan. It has nothing to do with anything else. Eliminating it doesn't save much money, probably none when compared to the cost of the electronics to replace it. Doesn't make the engine any more reliable; does it automatically shut the engine down if low oil is detected? Does it detect if some numb nuts at an oil change place overfills the crankcase?
I can think of no reasonable reason to eliminate it. Sensors can fail the only failure one can experience with a dipstick is to not check the oil level in the first place. Is BMW admitting it's custoimers are too stupid to know to check the oil occasionally? Or is this some ploy to generate more service revenue?
Nail, meet a hammer on the way to your head. ;)
I took the car in for servicing today to look into this problem.
They said they needed to rotate the celinoids in the engine. I have no idea what that means, but I hope it works. If rotating them doesn't do the trick, then they need to be replaced. For now, all seems well.
The best part is that they didn't charge me. They said it was because the car just came out of warranty and the problem originated from before the warranty expired. So as of now, I'm pretty happy with the experience.
Solenoids.
It sounds like one of the cam phaser solenoids might have stuck.
This reminds me of one of the last cars I worked on... a GMC Terrain with sand in the head and cam phaser solenoid screens from the casting process. :mask:
I doubt that's your concern, but the only solenoids in an engine are typically for the cam phasing system.
thank god for the need to control the throttle via an overly complicated VANOS system rather then a damn throttle plate....
Oh, that's right. VANOS. I bet that has quite a few of them thar celenoids.
Thanks for the info, Roy.
Quote from: dazzleman on March 24, 2010, 07:00:33 PM
Doesn't every car have a dipstick for the oil? How else would you check it?
Yours has one in the driver seat! :wub:
Quote from: dazzleman on April 12, 2010, 06:16:06 PM
Thanks for the info, Roy.
Yeah, no problem dude. If you have any other questions about the jargon let me know. I may not fix cars for a living anymore, but I know Mechanicese like it's my first language. :lol:
Quote from: R-inge on April 14, 2010, 07:52:49 PM
Yeah, no problem dude. If you have any other questions about the jargon let me know. I may not fix cars for a living anymore, but I know Mechanicese like it's my first language. :lol:
Wait, what?
Quote from: R-inge on April 12, 2010, 05:39:02 PM
Oh, that's right. VANOS. I bet that has quite a few of them thar celenoids.
I don't know if VANOS really relies on them, but Valvetronic definitely does.
Quote from: Rupert on April 14, 2010, 09:40:07 PM
Wait, what?
Yeah, I quit my job at the end of March.
Oh, wow, nice?
What are you gonna do now?
Quote from: Rupert on April 15, 2010, 08:31:36 PM
Oh, wow, nice?
What are you gonna do now?
Yeah, it's ok. I was burned out, partly on working on cars but mainly on working where I was working. There was some screwy shit going on. Since nobody around here will hire a tech with as little experience as I have (which sounds funny considering I've done it for about 4.5 year) the only solution was to just leave the industry for now.
I'll be working for some lawn care company called TruGreen, mainly doing stuff with trees.
Quote from: R-inge on April 15, 2010, 08:45:16 PM
Yeah, it's ok. I was burned out, partly on working on cars but mainly on working where I was working. There was some screwy shit going on. Since nobody around here will hire a tech with as little experience as I have (which sounds funny considering I've done it for about 4.5 year) the only solution was to just leave the industry for now.
I'll be working for some lawn care company called TruGreen, mainly doing stuff with trees.
Trees are good. Have you looked at seasonal Forest Service/BLM/USGS/Park Service/etc. work?
Yeah actually, I have. This job sort of reminded me of that interest.
You work for the Forest Service or something, right? How did you land that gig? What level of education, what majors, etc.
Fo you want to be a geologist, R-inge?
I do, but I'm going to have to wait until after I'm done with automotives.
Oh that's right, Rupert is a geologist, right? I'm not sure honestly wtf I want to do with my life other than find a decent 8-5 m-f gig that pays well and doesn't kick my ass around the block for drill every day. I'm going back to school in the fall at night but I'm not sure what to study so any suggestions are welcome...
oh and btw, thread hijack! :lol:
Quote from: R-inge on April 15, 2010, 09:05:10 PM
Yeah actually, I have. This job sort of reminded me of that interest.
You work for the Forest Service or something, right? How did you land that gig? What level of education, what majors, etc.
Yeah, the Forest Service. I applied for a seasonal job out of college, and proved myself useful. It was a little serendipitous, since I got on right when the project I work on was just taking off, and I was the only person on the crews that year who didn't have another obligation in the fall.
I'm a hydrologist (new title; I love throwing it around still :lol: ), and I have a B.S. in geology. There are many many jobs to be done in the FS (and BLM, USGS, USFWS, etc.), and just about any skill set has a place somewhere. In order to get a job like mine (hydrologist/technician, fisheries biologist/tech, forester/tech, silviculturalist/tech, etc.), you generally need a bachelor's or a master's, but, like I say, there are a lot of bluer collared jobs.
Quote from: R-inge on April 15, 2010, 09:14:23 PM
Oh that's right, Rupert is a geologist, right? I'm not sure honestly wtf I want to do with my life other than find a decent 8-5 m-f gig that pays well and doesn't kick my ass around the block for drill every day. I'm going back to school in the fall at night but I'm not sure what to study so any suggestions are welcome...
oh and btw, thread hijack! :lol:
If you want to work outdoors, I'm sure there is some kind of program for becoming a park ranger or something.
Cool, thanks guys. I might do some talking with the local FS or BLM dept heads and see what's what.
Quote from: R-inge on April 15, 2010, 09:14:23 PM
Oh that's right, Rupert is a geologist, right? I'm not sure honestly wtf I want to do with my life other than find a decent 8-5 m-f gig that pays well and doesn't kick my ass around the block for drill every day. I'm going back to school in the fall at night but I'm not sure what to study so any suggestions are welcome...
oh and btw, thread hijack! :lol:
If you think you might like a career in federal natural resources, take a bunch of natural science classes (bio, chem, geology, environmental science), a GIS class (because
everyone wants to hire someone who knows GIS), and then get a seasonal job with one of the agencies you like. If you still like it, then you're good to go. There are a some advantages to federal jobs (flexibility, benefits, stability once you have a permanent job, reasonable pay, good culture among those you work with directly), and some disadvantages (GIANT FUCKING BUREAUCRACY, you'll never get rich, some extra political bullshit because you have to deal with the public, and did I mention GIANT FUCKING BUREAUCRACY?). Some people can't deal with the GIANT FUCKING BUREAUCRACY, and so shouldn't bother with a federal job.
Quote from: R-inge on April 15, 2010, 09:25:29 PM
Cool, thanks guys. I might do some talking with the local FS or BLM dept heads and see what's what.
Even better is to talk with some people who you know who work there. :ohyeah:
Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on April 15, 2010, 09:20:05 PM
If you want to work outdoors, I'm sure there is some kind of program for becoming a park ranger or something.
Yeah, there is also the recreation side. Their job is pretty much all dealing with (er, working with) the public, which I know I don't want to do.
Of course, then you get the sweet uniform, which I would feel ridiculous wearing in my office. :lol:
You could always be an engineering and sit back and drink coffee while you watch your mechanic grunts to the physical work :lol:
Quote from: R-inge on April 15, 2010, 08:45:16 PM
Yeah, it's ok. I was burned out, partly on working on cars but mainly on working where I was working. There was some screwy shit going on. Since nobody around here will hire a tech with as little experience as I have (which sounds funny considering I've done it for about 4.5 year) the only solution was to just leave the industry for now.
I'll be working for some lawn care company called TruGreen, mainly doing stuff with trees.
Good luck with the career change and future studies!
Quote from: Rupert on April 15, 2010, 09:27:27 PM
Even better is to talk with some people who you know who work there. :ohyeah:
Yeah, I'll send you some PMs with more questions if I decide to pursue this idea. Thanks bro.
Quote from: r0tor on April 16, 2010, 07:33:59 AM
You could always be an engineering and sit back and drink coffee while you watch your mechanic grunts to the physical work :lol:
I'm not sure I'm smart enough to be an engineer, but I'd like to work around them, which is why drafting seems like a good start, but yeah that does sound kinda nice. :lol:
Quote from: R-inge on April 16, 2010, 06:34:33 PM
Yeah, I'll send you some PMs with more questions if I decide to pursue this idea. Thanks bro.
:ohyeah:
I can't believe you guys have hijacked my earth-shaking thread about a problem that's been fixed in order to help Roy with career planning.... :cry:
:lol:
lol, hey dude it's CarSPIN, whadaya expect?
Quote from: R-inge on April 17, 2010, 05:45:37 PM
lol, hey dude it's CarSPIN, whadaya expect?
I wouldn't want it any other way.... :lol:
:ohyeah:
Quote from: R-inge on April 18, 2010, 08:08:27 AM
:ohyeah:
And besides, your future career direction IS a lot more important than my idiot light. Especially now that I had it fixed.
I hope things go really well with your new job. I know how unhappy you were at the other job, and that's a crappy feeling. It's liberating to leave that behind. So best of luck. :ohyeah:
Yeah it is. thanks man.