Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Maintenance & Repair Maintenance & Repair - Archived Discussions BMW Care & Maintenance 
115 messages, Last post on Jul 18, 2007 at 6:33 AM
You are in the Maintenance & Repair - Archived Discussions Forum. Your Host is mr_shiftright
This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Lost? Ask the M&R Host for directions! discussion.
| Has anyone experienced this problem, if you have gimme a shout. I drive an '01 540i w/steptronic it has about 21K kilometers on it. Been a dream machine so far.My " service engine" light came on about five days ago and remained on till last night when it mysteriously disappeared. Repeated attempts to "come on" again were unsuccessful. I am gad it is off now but perplexed as to why it came on. Now, a visit to the BMW dealership in Mississauga, Ontario ( while the engine light was still on) had them hook it up to their computer and they came back to me saying it was some sort of secondary pump which had failed, further queries revealed it had something to do with helping the car start in the cold. They set up an appointment next week to replace it under warranty. Now that the light has gone out, should I still have them change the part or do you think there is something wrong here, do I believe the engine light or the dealer assessment that hte part needs to be changed. Don't get me wrong I have no problem changing the " secondary pump", but is the pump really still failed, has it recovered on its own ( hence the light going off) or what. Appreciate som advice. | |
| Whenever the service engine lights up, it records the event in the engine computer, which the dealer can read and decipher with their computer. There are many "intermittent" type errors which cause the symbol to light up and then go off later. That's why the event is recorded. I'm sure the dealer read the log correctly, and is performing the appropriate steps. If the light comes on again, perhaps there's something else that's wrong. (BTW, you didn't state which pump was acting up: fuel, water, etc.?) | |
| Thanks for your input, did not realise that data was recorded, makes sense. No idea which pump it was, shoulda asked I realised later. In any case are you saying that the light goes out just so it reduces the " annoyance factor " or does it mean that the problem does not exist anymore. It is a little unnerving. Are you suggesting that I should go ahead and change the specific pump they mentioned, or that they will recheck the engine ( since the light is out now) and then decide what to do. Thanks | |
|
The light doesn't go out "to reduce the annoyance factor." It goes out if it no longer detects a problem, or the problem was benign or temporary enough (there are different severity levels of problems) not to warrant perpetual "check engine" status. For example, if you leave the fuel cap loose, you may get a check engine light. If you tighten it back up, the light will go out after a couple of days, since the problem is no longer present. Since you're still under warranty, I wouldn't worry about it; have them replace the pump. I'd assume the problem will then be fixed. |
|
| snagiel is right, the CEL will go off if the OBDII system doesn't detect the problem after a certain number of start cycles. I had the identical problem on my wife's 528i; the "secondary pump" is an electrical air pump that helps reduce emissions on cold starts. In my case I would reset the CEL and the car would be fine for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks-and then the CEL would illuminate again. The dealer replaced the pump and I've had no problems since. | |
|
HI, I also posted on the 5 series board, I would love a 5 series, and the BMW dealer has a 1999 528 manual, with the sport package and 60km on it. Also one with the premium package and 36km on it. Both are at 32,900.00 (Canadain dollars) does that seem like a good price? They are both in the BMW Certified Used car program so after about a year when the orig. warranty goes I'd get two years or milage. Also they have an ownership lease like deal where the price is halved and half held as a balloon payment at the end of three years, the other half is what payments are based on. My wonder is if in three years when the car is 6 years old, will it be worth less than the  16,500.00 of the balloon payment? Upside-down, I think they call it? I will have a look at the service reacords since all their other similarly equipped 5s cost closer to 37-45gs. Are these fairly reliable. I've read some horror stories but are they the exceptioin or the rule? Thanks, cdndriver |
|
| HELP please! Thanks for anyone taking your time to read my plea for help....well, my "check engine" light comes on every now and then, sometimes for days or weeks, but always goes away..according to the manual, the light is supposed to be related with emissions, but I recently passed my emission inspections, could the light be related to other problems?? I also recently had problems with my thermostat/gauge - it never warms up, its always at the cold/blue range, so then the heater is not even really hot in this cold weather...and the 'REST' function (heated air after car is turned off)doesn't work anymore...could it be related to the thermostat and "check engine" light??? thanks!! | |
| Hi cdndriver, Where is your location? This is a really great deal if you can get a 1999 528i at Can$32,900. You mention that the car is around 36K too. Good luck!!! | |
You are here:
Forums
Maintenance & Repair Maintenance & Repair - Archived Discussions BMW Care & Maintenance
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
