 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | | | |  |  |  |  11-07-2005, 01:34 AM | #1 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 322 |  Check Engine Light
My check engine light came on about a week ago, and my mechanic told me that my catalytic converter was the problem. He didn't reset the light when he checked it. Of course, it could still be the oxygen sensor after the cat. I was planning on replacing the O2 sensor this week, but today I noticed that the check engine light wasn't on anymore. Does it just turn off after a while? Or maybe was the check engine light coming on because something was being read wrong? I don't know, so hopefully you guys can tell me why my light was on earlier and now it is off. |  |  | | 11-07-2005, 01:48 AM | #2 | | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: cary, nc Posts: 2,259 |
I'd go the o2 sensor route personally. when my o2 sensor went out, the light came on...but it was intermittent...didnt stay on....went off sometimes....would come on again later. if you are getting an inconsistant light, my guess is that itd be the o2 sensor.
id say try the 02 sensor first cause i imagine id be cheaper __________________ 1995 318ti Active
Pioneer Speakers [] Aluminum Billet door locks [] ACS Pedals/Deadrest [] ACS Shift Knob / E-Brake Handle [] Clear Corners/Tails/Sides [] Sylvania Exterior Lighting [] Custom CAI [] Dinan Engine Chip [] Dinan Transmission Chip [] H&R Race Springs [] Tokico Illumina Shocks [] BMW X-Brace [] Relocated Lighter Mod [] Custom iPod Mod http://www.cardomain.com/id/robcarync | | | | | 11-07-2005, 03:33 AM | #3 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
Quote: | Originally Posted by bmw318tiChic My check engine light came on about a week ago, and my mechanic told me that my catalytic converter was the problem. He didn't reset the light when he checked it. Of course, it could still be the oxygen sensor after the cat. I was planning on replacing the O2 sensor this week, but today I noticed that the check engine light wasn't on anymore. Does it just turn off after a while? Or maybe was the check engine light coming on because something was being read wrong? I don't know, so hopefully you guys can tell me why my light was on earlier and now it is off. | did your mechanic pull the codes and give them to you? or do you have a code reader? considering the cost of the cat, i'd do more checking and possibly replace O2 sensors before i'd replace the cat. i would say more info is needed. if you don't have a code reader/reset tool yet, it might be time to get one. __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | | 11-07-2005, 05:07 AM | #4 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 |
That is typical of a flakey 02 sensor. My CEL went on a few weeks ago then went off. Most likely it is still stored in the DME. __________________ ...steven
BMW CCA #146825
1996 BMW 328ti • 2003 MINI Cooper S • 2016 M235i
www.bmwcca.org
| | | | | 11-07-2005, 06:38 AM | #5 | | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: state college, pa Posts: 3,431 |
bmw318tiChic, you have a '95, correct? __________________
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ZOMBIES. | | | | | 11-07-2005, 07:04 AM | #6 | | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: cary, nc Posts: 2,259 |
i have a 95 ti...and my CEL would come on and go off and it was extremely inconsistant...i bought my scanner tool and scanned the bad boy...and it was an o2 sensor...
o2 sensors are easier to replace than a cat...so id definently get a scanner tool....replace an o2 sensor yourself if the code is for an o2 sensor...they are really easy to replace...if it really is the cat, then that could be trouble... __________________ 1995 318ti Active
Pioneer Speakers [] Aluminum Billet door locks [] ACS Pedals/Deadrest [] ACS Shift Knob / E-Brake Handle [] Clear Corners/Tails/Sides [] Sylvania Exterior Lighting [] Custom CAI [] Dinan Engine Chip [] Dinan Transmission Chip [] H&R Race Springs [] Tokico Illumina Shocks [] BMW X-Brace [] Relocated Lighter Mod [] Custom iPod Mod http://www.cardomain.com/id/robcarync | | | | | 11-07-2005, 02:07 PM | #7 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 322 |
Quote: | Originally Posted by aceyx bmw318tiChic, you have a '95, correct? | I have a 96. From what everyone is telling me, I guess the cel just turns off sometimes when the O2 sensor is the problem. I'll get a new sensor and hopefully that will fix things. Thanks everyone  | | | | | 11-07-2005, 02:11 PM | #8 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 |
Quote: | Originally Posted by bmw318tiChic I have a 96. From what everyone is telling me, I guess the cel just turns off sometimes when the O2 sensor is the problem. I'll get a new sensor and hopefully that will fix things. Thanks everyone | The CEL goes on and off as the readings change from the 02 sensor. I would get the codes scaned first otherwise you are just guessing. Sometimes you are just guessing with the codes anyway because one fault can trigger another. I have read that Autozone will scan the codes. You have no one local who can do that for you? __________________ ...steven
BMW CCA #146825
1996 BMW 328ti • 2003 MINI Cooper S • 2016 M235i
www.bmwcca.org
| | | | | 11-07-2005, 03:07 PM | #9 | | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: state college, pa Posts: 3,431 |
The computer stores the last few codes, so you'll be able to see if it's the same problem repeating or other problems arising anew. Don't know if this is through the OBDII port, could be diagnostic only. __________________
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ZOMBIES. | | | | | 11-07-2005, 05:15 PM | #10 | | Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 89 | Similar Problem
I also have a similar problem on my 98ti with the "spend money light" (CEL) intermitently coming on. It will come on for about 5 starts and then go off for a while. The cat is brand new. The mechanic did a scan and said the code coming up was for the cam position sensor. I haven't done anything yet as it is still off most of the time. | | | | | 11-07-2005, 06:38 PM | #11 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
cam shaft position sensor should be #6 in this diagram: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...85&hg=11&fg=10 __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | |
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