engine light on....first time taking car out

T

the stripler

Member
Well I bought a z4 last week and tonight on my first night off take it a run....10 miles into run and engine light comes on..... :(
The car feels fine to me....but really didn't expect this ..
Can anyone advise what to do now
 
Probally be a warning that the cat isnt working properly, mine comes on sometimes if i use a different petrol, ie supermarket petrol, buy a cheap diagostics reader of ebay and you can read the codes to find out what the problem is and clear the light and codes
 
Well known issues with EML on the 2.0 Zs , put in decent fuel & don't be afraid to give it a decent run for 20 mins at 60/70 mph if poss
The light will most probably be more annoyance than problematic & you may find it doesn't happen all the time
 
Mines a 06 2ltr and does the same, invest in the diagnostic tool, only about £20 on ebay, or ask on here if anyone lives near you who can check it, where you from
 
I would say car is ok to drive if all feels normal and it hasn't gone into limp home mode
Mine came on 18 months ago when I was tootling around the B roads in Ireland - after a long blast up the motorway in UK
Had a garage check it out who said it was fine - He reckoned it was the cat sensor having a hissy fit
He said it had noticed the dramatic change and assumed something was wrong. Apparently the sensor keeps checking and if the problem doesn't register again in the next 10 cycles, the light goes out
I was also advised to give it an 'Italian tune up' :D :driving:
Not sure if this is all exactly true, as others like Andysat above have had no end of trouble - but mine did go out 2 days later and (touch wood) has never came on again
 
Barny said:
Mines a 06 2ltr and does the same, invest in the diagnostic tool, only about £20 on ebay, or ask on here if anyone lives near you who can check it, where you from
Click to expand...

I'm in lanark . Scotland

Does this diagnostic tool reset it or just give you a code?
 
obewan said:
I would say car is ok to drive if all feels normal and it hasn't gone into limp home mode
Mine came on 18 months ago when I was tootling around the B roads in Ireland - after a long blast up the motorway in UK
Had a garage check it out who said it was fine - He reckoned it was the cat sensor having a hissy fit
He said it had noticed the dramatic change and assumed something was wrong. Apparently the sensor keeps checking and if the problem doesn't register again in the next 10 cycles, the light goes out
I was also advised to give it an 'Italian tune up' :D :driving:
Not sure if this is all exactly true, as others like Andysat above have had no end of trouble - but mine did go out 2 days later and (touch wood) has never came on again
Click to expand...

OK mate...cheers
Just can't believe first time using car that the dreaded dashboard light issue has already started
 
andysat said:
Spent thousands sorting mine out- still came on!
Click to expand...

Legend has it that you single-handedly financially supported the BMW network in your area Andy... :D
 
the stripler said:
obewan said:
I would say car is ok to drive if all feels normal and it hasn't gone into limp home mode
Mine came on 18 months ago when I was tootling around the B roads in Ireland - after a long blast up the motorway in UK
Had a garage check it out who said it was fine - He reckoned it was the cat sensor having a hissy fit
He said it had noticed the dramatic change and assumed something was wrong. Apparently the sensor keeps checking and if the problem doesn't register again in the next 10 cycles, the light goes out
I was also advised to give it an 'Italian tune up' :D :driving:
Not sure if this is all exactly true, as others like Andysat above have had no end of trouble - but mine did go out 2 days later and (touch wood) has never came on again
Click to expand...

OK mate...cheers
Just can't believe first time using car that the dreaded dashboard light issue has already started
Click to expand...

As a few have said, buy a cheap code reader off FleaBay, read the code, note it down, then cancel it to turn the light out. The 2.0L seems overly sensitive to variations in fuel and in my case I always get an O2 sensor light if I fill up with supermarket mix.
Unless you like losing money, do not go to a main dealer as they will lick their lips in anticipation of 'finding' all kinds of problems... :fuelfire:
 
OK guys...thanks for your advice...will pick myself up...get one of these code readers and go from there.
Will let you know how I go.
Gary
 
Try and stick to one brand and grade of petrol, and give it some beans. These engines are meant to be worked. Keeping below 3k does them no good at all.
 
I have an 06 2.0lt as my daily drive and have been very lucky, never had the engine light randomly come on, touch wood. I use what ever brand of petrol is nearest to me when I need it and it sees the red line everyday :evil:
 
Well....I went out in car today. Light was on. I parked up to go for lunch and when I came out and started up car...light was out and has been since??????
So not sure if all now well or if summit not right
 
the stripler said:
Well....I went out in car today. Light was on. I parked up to go for lunch and when I came out and started up car...light was out and has been since??????
So not sure if all now well or if summit not right
Click to expand...

Maybe the light broke as well... :D
 
1st thing to check when any engine light comes on is the intake boots. They will split and let unmetered air into the system causing the car to throw a wobbler. Cheap fix, easy to check.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom