If you have a BMW, you probably have a very big paranoia about the check engine light. Because BMW is a generally luxury car and the parts of the BMW are generally more expensive than the general other passenger cars. What to do if BMW check engine light is on? Here we will explain some of the most important things to consider about this topic. You can find detailed explanations of the general causes of the BMW check engine light. Also, you can find the general fixes of these causes. You will know the general prices of the fixes also.
BMW Check Engine Light Causes
As you know modern-day car engines are generally very complex systems. There are different kinds of parts and systems that the car engine includes. Because of this fact, there can be various reasons for the BMW check engine light that appears on the dashboard. The most common reasons are like this;
Problem with Oxygen Sensor
The oxygen sensor is the most common problem that you can with the BMW check engşine light. The responsibility of the oxygen sensor is to send information on the level of oxygen in the exhaust fumes to the ECU system of the car. And the ECU system can adjust the level of fuel inside the air-fuel mixture. Because if there is oxygen in the exhaust fumes the total air needs more fuel.
So if you have a problematic oxygen sensor with your BMW car, you will feel it as a performance loss. And also you will hear strange sounds coming from your engine because of the misfires. Because the ECU system can not adjust the level of the fuel inside the air-fuel mixture in an optimum way.
General Fixes of BMW Oxygen Sensor
There are different fixes of the oxygen sensor that you can apply. First of all the problematic issue can be the cable connections that the oxygen sensor has. The oxygen sensor is connected to the battery and the ECU system. And if there is a problem with this cable, the oxygen sensor will not work properly.
Once you bring your BMW car to a service one cable change probably wşill be around $150.
Also, you can have a problematic oxygen sensor. The first reason why the oxygen sensor gets faulty is the carbon build-up on the top of the sensor. Because the carbon is built up from the exhaust fumes, the ğsensor can not perceive the level of oxygen şsndşe the fumes.
You can clean the carbon buildup if you are familiar with the car engine mechanics. You can follow these steps if you want to save your oxygen sensor.
- First of all, you need to know the exact location of the oxygen sensor. The place of the oxygen sensor is generally right after the catalytic converter in most cars. So the oxygen sensoır is right below your car.
- So you will need a hydraulic jack to lift your car. And also you will need a wrench or a screwdriver set to rip the oxygen sensor off.
- Before starting the operation, wear your protectioıve gloves and glasses. Safety is very important.
- After that use the hydraulic jack to lift the side of the car that the oxygen sensor resides on. And locate the place of the oxygen sensor.
- Use the wrench or screwdriver the unfasten the oxygen sensors. This sensor is also attached to two cable connections. You need to detach these cables also.
- Once you to the oxygen sensor you can see the carbon build up on the head of the sensor. Because of this Carbon, the sensor can not perceive the level of oxygen.
- You need toı use special solutions generally used to remove the carbon buildup in the fuel system of cars. You can find them in car and auto shops. Apply these solutions appropriately according to the instructions.
- Make sure that the oxygen sensor is completely dried up for hours.
- And attach the oxygen sensor back. And test your car if the BMW check engine light went off.
Also, the problematic part is the oxygen sensor. If you want to change it with a new one, the OEM BMW oxygen sensors can change between $350-$400. To save on labor costs, you can attach it on your own. Also, you need to make sure that you are attaching it correctly.
If you are not familiar with the car mechanics, you need to bring your car to BMW service to attach the sensor.
Problems with Catalytic Converter
Also, you can have a problem with the catalytic converter of your BMW engine. The main duty of the catalytic converter is to transform the toxic gases to a less toxic state and expel them from the exhaust. So, it is a very important part of the environment and human health.
There can be two general problems with your catalytic converter. The first one is the general damage to your catalytic converter. The catalytic converter can get damaged from the bottom of the car. And if there is damage to the converter, you will hear strange sıunds coming from your exhaust system.
Also, carbon buildup is a problem that you can face with the catalytic converter of your car. Because of this issue, the channels of your car will be clogged. And the engine will expense more power to expel the gases through these narrow channels. And you will feel it as a performance loss in your engine.
General Solutions
If there is damage to the catalytic converter of your BMW car, you need to change it with a new one. In general OEM catalytic converters for BMW cars range between $300-$750 according to the model of the car.
Also if you are familiar with car mechanics, you can change the catalytic converter on your own if you want to save on labor costs.
- First of all, you need to know the exact location of the catalytic converter. The place of catalytic converter is at the bottom of your car. And right after the tailpipe, you can see a part that has a semi-cylindrical shape.
- You will have to use a hydraulic jack and a wrench or screwdriver set to remove your catalytic converter from your BMW car.
- You need to take safety precautions to prevent accidents. Wear your protective gloves and protective glasses.
- And you need to properly fit the BMW car with a hydraulic lifter. You need to be sure that you lift the car properly without any problem. Make sure the car is lifted properly.
- After that locate the catalytşc converter at the bottom of your car. Rio the straps that hold the catalytic converter in place. And remove the cat from its place.
- Install the new catalytic converter in the same way.
- Remove the hydraulic jack and test your car for several miles to see if the BMW check engine light went off.
But if you bring your car to a BMW service, you will probably pay around $150 for the labor and expertise costs.
If you have a problem with clogging, you can also clean it yourself. You need to use special agents to clean the carbon build-ups. You need to apply this cleaning agent to remove the dirt from your catalytic converter. Attach the catalytic converter after being sure that it is completely dried.
Problems with Mass Air Flow Sensor
Also, you can have problems with the mass air flow sensor of your car. If there is a problem with the mass air flow sensor, the sensor will not send the information of the total mass air flow coming from the intake manifold to the ECU system of the car. And ECU cannot adjust the level of the fuel that would provide the optimized burning inside the engine cylinders.
The general symptoms will be the same as the problems with the oxygen sensor.
General Fixes for Mass Air Flow Sensor
If you have a faulty mass air flow sensor, the general prices for change with the new part will be the same with the ıoxygen sensor. Also, you will probably not change the mass air flow sensor on your own. Because some level of expertise is required.
The general fixes for cables and the sensor itself are generally the same wişth the oxygen sensor.
Problems with the Electrical System
The BMW check engine light will be on because of the problem with your electrical system. The electrical system is vital for the engine system of your car. The important parts of the electrical system are the spark plugs, alternator, distributor, and battery.
A spark plug is responsible for the ignition of the air-fuel mixture in your engine cylinders. Each engine cylinder has n individual spark plug. So if you have a problem with the spark plug, that cylinder will not produce power.
If you have problems with individual spark plugs, you will feel this problem as a performance loss for your engine. And if all the spark plugs do not work, the engine will not work. If all the spark plugs do not work you probably have a problem with the distributor which provides electricity to all spark plugs at respective times.
If there are problems with the cable connections also, the electrical components will not work properly.
The alternator is a part of the engine that charges the battery while the engine is working. It prevents the battery from being dead. So, if there is a problem with the alternator of your BMW, the battery will eventually run out and dead.
Also if you have a dead battery, your BMW check engine light will be on. And also your engine will not work or start.
Fixes
If you have a problem with an individual spark plug you need to check the cable connections. If the cable connections with the spark plug and battery are problematic, you need to change them with a new one. In general, one cable change for BMW cars will be around $150.
Also if there is a problem with your spark plug itself, the price will be around $200 per spark plug including the labor costs.
If all the spark plugs are not working, probably there is a problem with the distrişbutor system of your BMW engine. The prices of the OEM distributors of BMW are generally high in price. The prices are generally between $750-$1000. But if there are minimal problems the service will take care of it and repair your distributor.
And if your battery is dead while you are driving, you can understand that there is a problem with the alternator. Changing the alternator will a new one is generally the same price as the distributor.
These parts generally require expertise in car electrics and electronics. So, it will be better to leave it to the BMW service mechanics.
Problems with Transmission
Transmission issues are the most feared issue that a BMW owner can have. The transmission is a complex system that generally has very expensive problems 🙁 If they diagnosed a problem with the transmission, you need to leave your car for service.
It is very hard to predict the general prices of the fixes. But if the problem is a major problem, the price can increase to thousands of dollars.
Loose Gas Cap
Or maybe your problem is only a basic thing like this. If you are a BMW owner, a loose gas cap can give the check engine light. What you need to do is, just tighten it. And the problem will be solved.
Also, youı can make a joke if you have a BMW owner friend J
Last Words on BMW Check Engine Light
These are the general things that we can state about the BMW check engine light. We recommend you bring your car to BMW service for the exact diagnosis of the problem. And you can decide if you can solve the problem on your own.
Do not forget to leave your comments and questions about this topic.
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