Emissions light

S

schpikster

Member
 Banstead, Surrey
Hi guys,

Apologies if this is a double post, just wrote this once and my tapatalk app threw up an error so not sure if it worked or not.

Anyway, I'm on the way to the lake district from London, done about 190 miles so far and had a good efficient journey - averaged 39mpg. Problem is that the emissions light has come on. We've got another 150 miles to go before we arrive and not coming back until Sunday.

Engine seems fine, no issues, car is a 2007 e85 2.5i, so I think that's the n52 engine. All I can think of is that my wife has a habit of sometimes forgetting to put in the clutch when she stops so the car had nearly stalled a couple of times today.

I need to know whether I need to take the car into a garage or if this can wait until I get home? I don't want to spend the weekend taking the car to a garage, especially one I don't know, but at the same time I've got another 500 miles to do before I get home.

Thoughts? is it likely to be anything serious?

Mike
 
O2 sensor ... About £250 to fix.

The light will not go off, but I have not heard any negative side effects from continuing to drive.
 
But it could just be down to different fuel. Sometimes when I fill up from almost empty the light comes on, but then disappears later - maybe the next time I drive it. Of course, it may be the sensor if it persists.
 
Mine came on last week, the dealer suggested that a reset might keep it away for a while (months). As I am selling the car and I am not that sort of person to move the problem to the future for someone else, I had the dealer replace the sensor yesterday. The new owner will have at least 2 years warranty on the sensor.
 
almost certainly will be fine until you get home. the worst that can happen (to your pocket) is that it could be the cats need changing but I'd suggest taking it steady until home then go to your indy, read off the fault and reset the light (put it out). If it comes on again within, say, 500 miles, have it read by the indy again.
Stevo
 
schpikster said:
Thoughts? is it likely to be anything serious?
Click to expand...

As long as the car is running OK not problem in you continuing to drive. The EML light on the Zed is very sensitive, in fact many would say over sensitive and can be triggered for a variety of reasons. That's why many of us have purchased a D900 OBD2 Code reader which can be purchased from eBay for less than £20. This can be carried in the boot in a nice zip up case and is a stand alone device which is very simple to use and will read the code, delete it as necessary (or saved to the Code Reader's memory) and can also be used to get 'real time' information on the running of your car. If you choose to go a garage they could charge you up to £150 just to read the code.
 
Thanks for letting the advice guys. an update - about 100 miles later the light went off and hasn't come back on since. about to start the 350 mile journey back home so assuming more efficient driving than I've been doing up here in the lake district (despite the weather it's been fantastic! ) it should replicate the conditions of the way down and I'll see if it reappears.
 
Hmm... missus driving again and about 150 miles in the light comes on again! I wonder if it's her seat position. ..?! ha

Will buy a reader online and check it out. It's clearly a recurring problem but hopefully just the sensor.
 
schpikster said:
Hmm... missus driving again and about 150 miles in the light comes on again! I wonder if it's her seat position. ..?! ha

Will buy a reader online and check it out. It's clearly a recurring problem but hopefully just the sensor.
Click to expand...
I hope so :roll:
 
Might have a similar problem - can you please clarify just which light you mean, - the Emissions Light ( i.e. the one shaped like a yellow outlined engine block) or the EML light (general electronics rather than emissions I believe).
 
I think we're all talking about the one shaped like an engine block which BMW call the 'emissions light' in the handbook which many of us refer to as the EML. One and the same for the purposes of this discussion.

Mine came on Saturday afternoon after crawling through a 40mph speed restriction on the A14. :x
 
Yes, the yellow 'engine block' light. The manual refers to this as the emissions light. incidentally the light didn't come on today having not driven for 12 hours. need to get this reader!
 
Mine has been on for about a month now, no issues with the car running, i have the code P0056 (bank 2 sensor 2)
 
Would fail MOT though, so the £250 or so can not be avoided long term.
 
Agreed. Sounds like the oxygen sensor. Same thing happened to mine recently, replaced the sensor and have had trouble-free motoring ever since.
 
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