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How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?

The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not properly tightened to a more threatening failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it noble to get the correct code reading and diagnosis. The average estimate for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is frequently between $88 and $111. The noble news, Richmond BMW Midlothian offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help mean the cause of your check engine light.

How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?

The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. If you check engine light is flashing, we advise that you pull over and contact Richmond BMW Midlothian to help express if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we advise a tow truck. Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is troublesome to predict how ample miles you can drive with the warning light on.

Check Engine Light Service 2017 BMW 328i

What do you do when you’re driving along in your BMW 328i and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most BMW owners, your heart sinks a small because you have small idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react. The fear of the unknown (or the cost of the unknown) can be just as stressful. But take a deep breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t mean you have to pull the car over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is recommended that you get your 2017 BMW 328i checked as soon as probable. Ignoring that warning could end up causing decisive wear and tear to expensive engine components.

When your 2017 BMW 328i's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t accurate, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is commonly labeled “check engine” or “service engine soon”, or the light may be nothing more than a picture of an engine, or a picture of the engine with the word “check.”

When the light turns on, the ECM stores an engine code or “trouble code” in its memory that identifies as the issue, whether it's a sensor or a failing engine part. This code is find out with an mechanical diagnose tool that is used by our BMW auto repair mechanics at Richmond BMW Midlothian. There are also a number of relatively economical code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you elect for that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced experienced to indicate the issue and repair it.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most commonly misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2017 BMW 328i is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few odd ways. It can say "Check Engine", it can be a symbol of an engine, it can even be a combination of both. This light illuminates in either an amber or red color and is part of the diagnostics system found on your vehicle. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored vehicle performance since the 80s and do a variety of things for your 2017 BMW 328i. Some of these include controlling engine speed, ignition timing, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can indicate a collection of different things. It can be as straightforward as your gas cap being loose or as remarkable as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2017 BMW 328i, contact Richmond BMW Midlothian. Contact Richmond BMW Midlothian today! Our BMW service department can aid you read what code is turning your check engine light on or analyze why your check engine light is twinkling.

2017 BMW 328i Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your 2017 BMW 328i starts flashing, that means that the problem needs precipitous attention and your BMW should be brought in quickly. A flashing light indicates that the problem is adequate and if not taken care of quickly may result in energetic damage to the vehicle. This twinkling light frequently hints a draconian engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can swiftly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is valuable, requiring an fancy repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can explicitly be the cause. A bad, aged or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is blinking, please contact our squad of automotive experts at Richmond BMW Midlothian rapidly by calling 8043618758. If the problem is ignored or you continue to drive, this can spread to the spark plug wires, catalytic converter, or ignition coils which can lead to a incredibly fancy repair.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2017 BMW 328i will usually shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For example, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it's tightened, the light will turn itself off. Likewise, if your catalytic converter is going honorable, and you did a lot of stop-and-go driving, that may have turned on the check engine light due to the high usage of the converter. In most cases, your 2017 BMW 328i light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you commute over that amount and the light is still on, you will need to bring it in to Richmond BMW Midlothian so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

Is it safe to drive your 2017 BMW 328i with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a astonishing issue and it is recommended to service your BMW 328i rapidly. This question is not very authentic because it all depends on the severity of the issue. If the cause is a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, it should be reliable to drive. This is typically indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the automobile, it could be an indication of a more curious problem. Call the experts at Richmond BMW Midlothian by dialing 8043618758 so you can describe the issues. Or lessen your speed and bring your 2017 BMW to our certified mechanics as soon as possible.

2017 BMW 328i Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly illuminates, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear right away. If you hear the term, diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), these are just another name for check engine light codes. These are automotive computer codes stored by the ECM, also accepted as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your 328i. There are hundreds of divergent codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling mandatory diagnostics will give you nice knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is certainly supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, helpful and helpful vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of viable OBD codes, there are also hundreds of viable reasons for the light, including:

  • Transmission issues
  • Fuel and air metering systems problems
  • Bad Spark Plugs
  • Ignition system faults
  • Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
  • Computer output circuit issues
  • O2 Sensor
  • Emissions controls issues
  • Old Battery

This is why it is remarkable for someone who does not have a few of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. Call Richmond BMW Midlothian at 8043618758 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out expeditiously by a certified BMW technician. If the engine light comes on due to a memorable concern, you risk bad your car contrasting by not repairing the issue right away.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2017 BMW 328i?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as pure as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a harsh problem that could cause harsh damage to your engine and come with a immense repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A persistent glow commonly means something less harsh but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in harsh trouble and service is imperative rapidly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2017 BMW 328i, we immensely advise not to commute the vehicle and schedule BMW service today. Below is a list of the most ongoing reasons your check engine light can come on:

  • The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2017 BMW 328i is every big. Without a car battery, your car won’t start, light up the road ahead, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s car batteries last much longer than they did a few decades ago, and they don't surely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of BMW you drive, but check our present service coupons and specials.
  • One of the most normal and many cause is that your 2017 BMW 328i gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2017 BMW 328i serves multiple purposes. It prevents gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps maintain pressure within the fuel tank. What happens if you have a bad fuel cap? If your gas cap is old or has a ruptured seal, you can lose fuel through evaporation which will result in more trips to the pump. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't expensive. If your check engine light turns on now after you put gas in your 2017 BMW 328i, earliest thing you should check is to make fearless the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are paramount for your 2017 BMW 328i. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel assortment in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. This explosion is what moves the pistons and makes the engine run. The spark plug wires deliver the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If your spark plugs or spark plug wires are bad or old, you will experience poor performance and reduced power. In some extreme cases, your engine will have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause clogged catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, central to more expensive repairs.
  • Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2017 BMW 328i’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's function is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A damaged catalytic converter is usually caused by neglected maintenance, which is why Richmond BMW Midlothian offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every BMW service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it revamped, your 2017 BMW 328i will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your car may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause substitute problems from overheating.
  • Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, admitted as the O2 sensor, measures the payment of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns faster and your vehicle will be less competent when it comes to fuel economy. So what happens if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A faulty sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause damage to your catalytic converter and your 2017 BMW 328i's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to select the right assortment of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A bad O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
  • Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or substitute item can wreak havoc on your 2017 BMW 328i if it’s not installed well. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound common, bring your 328i to BMW and have our team of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed perfectly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts earliest place might value a little bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
  • Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your BMW 328i is what determines how much fuel is paramount to run your engine efficiently by measuring the payment of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to specific changes, like altitude. If your BMW 328i is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a bad mass airflow sensor.
  • Your 2017 BMW 328i has a vacuum leak. Every BMW 328i has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system also helps lower harmful emissions by routing the fumes as gasoline evaporates through the engine. If you notice that your RPM is high in idle or randomly surges, a vacuum leak could be the cause. Over time, vacuum hoses can arid out and crack, especially if they’re exposed to massive heat or extreme cold.

2017 BMW 328i Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are many feasible causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are assorted admissible causes including something as admissible as a loose gas cap. Further admissible reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty emissions control part, faulty head gasket, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, dirty mass airflow sensor, damaged oxygen sensor, or defective spark plugs to name bountiful. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the BMW Certified Mechanics and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and repair it as needed to restore factory specifications. When this happens, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your BMW issue was fixed.

Every 2017 BMW 328i was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its hard systems. The sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending data to the mechanical control unit. If the mechanical control unit detects that the data is out of factory specifications, the Check Engine Light illuminates telling you that there is a problem. However, that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what strictly is amiss nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Richmond BMW Midlothian provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Excessively Qualified Service licensed.