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BMW Repair/Service engine soon light goes on & off

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Expert: Evan Slater - 8/17/2006


Question
Hello, I have a 2000 328i BMW. My service engine soon light came on for the first time about 1 week ago. I pulled over, turned off the engine and let it sit for about 5 mins when I turned it back on the light wasn't on anymore. The next morning when I turned the car on, the light came back after about 15 minutes of driving. The light comes on and off sporadically. When I turn the car on the light is off when i drive more than 15-20 minutes the light comes on. Can you help me out
Vaughn  

Answer
Vaughn, you need to hook your car up to a Diagnosis Scanner and read out the DME (engine computer) fault memory. Does the engine run rough when this happens? I can't really help if you don't have any fault printouts. Take your car to a shop and get the fault info. Then update this post. Give me as much info as possible. A check engine light could have 100 different causes.
-Evan

BMW Repair

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Evan Slater

Expertise

All 1999 model year and newer. Don't know much about pre OBD2 stuff. E46 and newer I am Especially good with late models. I NEED YEAR & MODEL OF VEHICLE! when asking questions. Please give last seven digits of the VIN number. Please give as much background info as possible when asking questions. Please read past questions and answers to avoid duplicate questions.

Experience

6 years automotive experience and 3+ years working as a Dealership Master Technician. Will offer dealership Technician perspective with knowledge of common failures/problems, part weaknesses, Service Bulletins, and Improved components. Will not give tipical Dealer Bull

Organizations
Current BMW dealership Master Technician

Education/Credentials
Graduate UTI Phoenix 2002 (won 9 out of 15 possible top student awards) BMW STEP Graduate 2004, Over 90% average on BMW ACT competition question for 3 years. BMW Master Technician Level 4 with Master Tech training. ASE Master Certified Technician.

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