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      11-13-2014, 10:35 AM   #1
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Check Engine Light

Hi folks, I just got a check engine light when I started the car this morning. However, Check Controls doesn't show anything. Oil level is fine as well. I have a dealership appointment scheduled for Monday. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas right now, and whether it's safe to drive the car over the weekend.
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      11-13-2014, 11:09 AM   #2
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This is most often an emissions fault. Your engine probably misfired.
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      11-13-2014, 11:15 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jparnes1 View Post
This is most often an emissions fault. Your engine probably misfired.
Safe to keep driving until I get to my appointment in 3 days?
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      11-13-2014, 12:17 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morfinx View Post
Safe to keep driving until I get to my appointment in 3 days?
Unless there's something noticeably amiss with the engine, you should be OK for 3 days. CELs are advisory in nature and rarely are they associated with catastrophic engine malfunctions.
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      11-13-2014, 12:17 PM   #5
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What Jay said; probably an emissions fault. I had this about a month ago and 2 of the 4 O2 sensors were gone.

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      11-13-2014, 01:24 PM   #6
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Thanks guys. The car drives just fine, nothing seems amiss other than the CEL light on the dash.
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      11-13-2014, 02:16 PM   #7
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If it makes you feel any better, my wife called me the other day on her way to work and breathlessly reported that the dash brake light was on along with a little red figure of a car on a service rack. I told her not to panic if the brakes felt OK and when the dealer checked it out the next day it turned out a brake sensor has shorted out and was telling the ECU the car was out of brakes when pad wear was 20% all around.
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      11-13-2014, 02:44 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paris1 View Post
If it makes you feel any better, my wife called me the other day on her way to work and breathlessly reported that the dash brake light was on along with a little red figure of a car on a service rack. I told her not to panic if the brakes felt OK and when the dealer checked it out the next day it turned out a brake sensor has shorted out and was telling the ECU the car was out of brakes when pad wear was 20% all around.
Hah, I actually had the same thing happen to me - brake sensor reported that brakes needed replacing, but turned out to be a false alarm!
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      11-13-2014, 02:54 PM   #9
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My car has been starting rough in past few weeks. Last week, my CEL came on as well. Check Control doesn't show anything either. I have been driving it since as it is my DD, and I am still alive... knock on wood. My appointment is not until next Monday.

From reading the forums, I think CEL on our car is either related to; spark plugs, HPFP, LPFP, or O2 sensors.

1.5 years old and 17k miles
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      11-13-2014, 02:59 PM   #10
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Something to consider - Back in 2012 I had the Check Engine light come on my 2011 3.0i and the BMW dealer indicated the fault code triggering the issue was a programming problem in the DME. This was covered under recall # 65 17 10/579. Software had to be re-installed in vehicle Everything has been good until a couple of months ago when the light returned. The light cycles on/off every few weeks. I assume it is reset based upon the number of miles driven or the number of times the car is started. In any event it's back to the dealer when I have a moment. As additional insight, I recently purchased a OBDII code reader from Autel (model AL301). It doesn't work. The only message I receive on the reader is "LINK_ERROR". Emailed Autel with issue and questions - no response to date. I guess it's $35 down the preverbal toilet. Please keep us informed on the results of your dealer visit.
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      11-13-2014, 03:03 PM   #11
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Last time CEL came on, the car ran SUPER rough. Ended up replacing the HPFP and 3 injectors. This time everything runs smoothly as usual, so hopefully it's nothing major.
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      11-13-2014, 03:31 PM   #12
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I had the same thing happen again yesterday. I started the car up after sitting in the garage for a week or so. A warning popped up showing the car on lift & service engine soon. I warmed the car up, backed into the driveway and turned the motor off. I opened my gas cap to release vapor lock and re-tightened the cap. I started the car back up and the warning went off. No problems. This is the second time I've had to do this. Last time was in the summer. Not sure why this is happening but it was a simple fix and no service appointment needed. Mine is a 2011 35is with under 20K miles.
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      11-13-2014, 03:47 PM   #13
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OP, get the code read so you aren't guessing.
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      11-13-2014, 10:24 PM   #14
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I hAd the light come on and it ended up being a loose gas cap
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      11-14-2014, 04:19 PM   #15
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I overnighted a code reader from Amazon. The code is P0171 - System Too Lean (Bank 1). I wonder if it's a MAP sensor issue, or something with the fuel pump or injectors again.
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      11-14-2014, 05:16 PM   #16
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Morfinx: Curious on the brand of code reader you purchased from Amazon. I purchased an Autel AL301 and can't seem to get it to display a diagnostic code. Only thing displayed is "Link_Error". Is there some special process required to get it to work?
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      11-14-2014, 06:13 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mac-z4 View Post
Morfinx: Curious on the brand of code reader you purchased from Amazon. I purchased an Autel AL301 and can't seem to get it to display a diagnostic code. Only thing displayed is "Link_Error". Is there some special process required to get it to work?
I got a cheapy ELM 372 OBD WiFi module:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B3K2X4M

I then purchased the "OBD Fusion" app for iPhone for $10.
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      11-14-2014, 06:23 PM   #18
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Thanks for the info.
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      11-18-2014, 12:14 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morfinx View Post
I overnighted a code reader from Amazon. The code is P0171 - System Too Lean (Bank 1). I wonder if it's a MAP sensor issue, or something with the fuel pump or injectors again.
I had the same P0171 last week. Changed the MAP sensor and it hasn't come back.
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      11-19-2014, 02:24 AM   #20
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Turned out to be a bad valve cover that was causing a vacuum leak. It's fixed and I'm picking her her tomorrow.
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      11-19-2014, 09:35 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morfinx View Post
Turned out to be a bad valve cover (gasket?) that was causing a vacuum leak. It's fixed and I'm picking her her tomorrow.
.
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      11-19-2014, 10:50 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paris1 View Post
.
If it had a crack in the valve cover it would cause this. But likely the gasket would be the first thing to check
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