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Check Engine Light - ARGH

 
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Dathaeus



Joined: 28 Sep 2008
Posts: 33

PostPosted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:49 am    Post subject: Check Engine Light - ARGH Reply with quote

Yes, I hear Sheldon chastising me, for the last month... my local indy wants to charge $100 to diagnose it... before I HAVE to do that, any ideas, or a test I can do myself? There is absolutely NO sign of any symptoms that worry me, it is operating perfectly except for that annoying light. Thanks!
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1997 328i w/Sports Package
5 speed manual
140,000 miles
Front: 17" (225)
Rear: 17" (245)

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geminiys



Joined: 13 Oct 2004
Posts: 182
Location: SF, California

PostPosted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just buy the OBD-II scanner for few bucks on ebay. Without knowing the code, it can be anything but most likely emission related.
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Dathaeus



Joined: 28 Sep 2008
Posts: 33

PostPosted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

geminiys wrote:
Just buy the OBD-II scanner for few bucks on ebay. Without knowing the code, it can be anything but most likely emission related.


So I would just plug the scanner in somewhere in my car (where is the port?), and it spits out a code, and then that will tell me why the error is popping up, and then we go from there?
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1997 328i w/Sports Package
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140,000 miles
Front: 17" (225)
Rear: 17" (245)

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geminiys



Joined: 13 Oct 2004
Posts: 182
Location: SF, California

PostPosted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Underneath the dashboard (around where your left knee touches or little below) driver side you will see the rectangular cover with circular lock that can be opened by using a penny. Then inside you will have a clear cover that covers the port where the OBD-II scanner plugs in. Just pull it out to expose the port. You may have all of these items removed if they got broken before. Plug the OBD-II scanner, turn the scanner on if required, then turn the ignition key to position-II but don't start the engine. Navigate the scanner to read codes. Search the forum or report back for repair suggestions.
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killerbeem



Joined: 01 Aug 2005
Posts: 496
Location: Detroit, MI

PostPosted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 10:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Take it to Autozone, they will read it for free.
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Currently looking for a good e30 to rebuild
1994 318i - Jeni (sold)
1991 325i - Lynn (Sold)
1984 325e - Rachel (Sold)
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killerbeem



Joined: 01 Aug 2005
Posts: 496
Location: Detroit, MI

PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

AAaaaand, I just realized you are NOT stateside. Sorry about that.
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Currently looking for a good e30 to rebuild
1994 318i - Jeni (sold)
1991 325i - Lynn (Sold)
1984 325e - Rachel (Sold)
BMWCCA Member
Find me on Twitter: @mkilpatric
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Dathaeus



Joined: 28 Sep 2008
Posts: 33

PostPosted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Havent had a chance to go yet and guess what, the light is gone now, LOL... should I go anyways or... I know it can be nothing, or... I am leaning towards waiting for it to come on again since the car is working flawlessly... EXCEPT there is this ONE disturbing sound... when I am in idle, there is this little "blip" every 5 seconds or so. It almost sounds like a dull drip from a water hitting a surface, but stronger as in it sounds like 2 soft components hitting each other. The cycle is confusing, I mean, what could possibly have a cycle of 5 seconds in a car??? It kind of makes me nervous although the sound is very low and can hardly hear it, but I am real anal when it comes to my car "behaving" perfectly.
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1997 328i w/Sports Package
5 speed manual
140,000 miles
Front: 17" (225)
Rear: 17" (245)

Answerway.com
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killerbeem



Joined: 01 Aug 2005
Posts: 496
Location: Detroit, MI

PostPosted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 12:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That is an interesting observation. Have you been able to identify a general vicinity the sound is coming from?
_________________
Currently looking for a good e30 to rebuild
1994 318i - Jeni (sold)
1991 325i - Lynn (Sold)
1984 325e - Rachel (Sold)
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Find me on Twitter: @mkilpatric
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