Check Engine Light

tdemarinis · 12-24-2012, 08:36 AM

Hi i have a 2004 bmw 330ci and i have a problem with the check engine light coming on when going on long trips. around town the light is always off but when i am driving for about 45 minutes to an hour the light will come back on then the following day it will go out again. ive went to the dealer and had it checked on the computer and they say its nothing. does anyone know whats causing the light to do this?
-Tj

pauljcl · 12-24-2012, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdemarinis

Hi i have a 2004 bmw 330ci and i have a problem with the check engine light coming on when going on long trips. around town the light is always off but when i am driving for about 45 minutes to an hour the light will come back on then the following day it will go out again. ive went to the dealer and had it checked on the computer and they say its nothing. does anyone know whats causing the light to do this?
-Tj

Difficult to say given that the dealer cannot determine the cause. FWIW: Each time I have had the 'check engine' light come on (on different cars), it was the Oxygen sensor that needed replacement, but it was not intermittent - the light came on and stayed on. Maybe try to have the dealer check (or just the codes read) while the light is 'on'?

tdemarinis · 12-24-2012, 09:49 AM

I did ive had the dealer check it while it was on and off. ive also had both oxygen sensors replaced about 2 months ago and it is still coming on.

taylor192 · 12-24-2012, 10:02 AM

The CEL is triggered by stored codes, so "the dealer cannot determine the cause" sounds fishy. Read the OBD-II codes, or better yet read the BMW codes if you can find someone with a Peake reader.

tdemarinis · 12-24-2012, 10:04 AM

How much do they run if i were to purchase one on my own?

taylor192 · 12-24-2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdemarinis

How much do they run if i were to purchase one on my own?

Depends. I have both a $30 cheap OBD-II reader and a $150 Peake reader (I've seen them on sale for $120 recently). I really want a $200+ autologic to monitor sensors (also reads codes and tons of other stuff) so you need to decide what suits you.

I think the $150 Peake reader pays for itself the first time you diagnose a problem yourself, cause shop rates where I live are $120+/hr.

tdemarinis · 12-24-2012, 10:19 AM

Rates here are about the same. Pretty rediculous i say, they almost make the whole value of the reader back on hooking it up once. I'll look into it. I know the light is obviously not something major because the car does not lack performance while it is on. I'd just like to know if its a problem in the emissions system or something along those lines.

12-24-2012, 08:36 AM	#1
tdemarinis Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New York Posts: 23 My Ride: 2004 bmw 330ci View My Garage	Check Engine Light Hi i have a 2004 bmw 330ci and i have a problem with the check engine light coming on when going on long trips. around town the light is always off but when i am driving for about 45 minutes to an hour the light will come back on then the following day it will go out again. ive went to the dealer and had it checked on the computer and they say its nothing. does anyone know whats causing the light to do this? -Tj

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12-24-2012, 09:49 AM	#3
tdemarinis Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New York Posts: 23 My Ride: 2004 bmw 330ci View My Garage	I did ive had the dealer check it while it was on and off. ive also had both oxygen sensors replaced about 2 months ago and it is still coming on.

12-24-2012, 10:02 AM	#4
taylor192 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: The Best Place on Earth Posts: 740 My Ride: 2003.5 M3 View My Garage	The CEL is triggered by stored codes, so "the dealer cannot determine the cause" sounds fishy. Read the OBD-II codes, or better yet read the BMW codes if you can find someone with a Peake reader.

12-24-2012, 10:04 AM	#5
tdemarinis Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New York Posts: 23 My Ride: 2004 bmw 330ci View My Garage	How much do they run if i were to purchase one on my own?

12-24-2012, 10:19 AM	#7
tdemarinis Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New York Posts: 23 My Ride: 2004 bmw 330ci View My Garage	Rates here are about the same. Pretty rediculous i say, they almost make the whole value of the reader back on hooking it up once. I'll look into it. I know the light is obviously not something major because the car does not lack performance while it is on. I'd just like to know if its a problem in the emissions system or something along those lines.