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What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most usually misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2019 BMW 325i is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in innumerable divergent 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 assortment of things for your 2019 BMW 325i. Some of these include shifting automatic transmissions controlling engine speed, ignition timing, and implementing stability control, just to name a lot. With that being said, the check engine light can indicate a variety of understandable things. It can be as commonplace as your gas cap being loose or as dangerous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2019 BMW 325i, contact Richmond BMW Midlothian. Our BMW service department can assist you favor what code is turning your check engine light on or observe why your check engine light is blinking. Contact Richmond BMW Midlothian today!

2019 BMW 325i 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 brightens, 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 normal as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your 325i. There are hundreds of numerous codes that your check engine light can determine. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling needed diagnostics will give you convenient knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is actually supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, clear and mandatory vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of possible OBD codes, there are also hundreds of possible reasons for the light, including:

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

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

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 serious failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it cooperative to get the cooperative code reading and diagnosis. The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is typically between $88 and $111. The cooperative news, Richmond BMW Midlothian offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help pick the cause of your check engine light.

Check Engine Light Service 2019 BMW 325i

What do you do when you’re driving along in your BMW 325i and suddenly, a yellow light flashes on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most BMW owners, your heart sinks a little because you have little 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 2019 BMW 325i checked as soon as practical. Ignoring that warning could end up causing big damage to costly engine components.

When your 2019 BMW 325i's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t noble, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is typically 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 learn with an electronic audit tool that is used by our BMW auto repair technicians at Richmond BMW Midlothian. There are also a number of relatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you opt for that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced technical to learn the issue and repair it.

2019 BMW 325i Check Engine Light

A flashing light indicates that the problem is threatening and if not taken care of at this moment may result in major damage to the car. If the check engine light in your 2019 BMW 325i starts flashing, that means that the problem needs precipitous attention and your BMW should be delivered in at this moment. This twinkling light usually indicates a astonishing engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be drained into the exhaust system. There it can suddenly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is potential, requiring an expensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can definitely be the cause. A bad, common or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. 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 exceedingly fancy repair. If your check engine light is flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Richmond BMW Midlothian immediately by calling 8043618758.

2019 BMW 325i Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are several likely causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are a lot distinguishable causes including something as distinguishable as a loose gas cap. Contrasting distinguishable reasons for a Check Engine Light are a malfunction with the fuel injection system, damaged oxygen sensor, dirty mass airflow sensor, faulty emissions control part, faulty head gasket, 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 fundamental 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 2019 BMW 325i was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the car on its big systems. The sensors are commonly 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 brightens 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 awry 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 Very Qualified Service professional.

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

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 pick if your vehicle is protected to travel to work in or if we advise a tow truck. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy subsequently. Since all check engine code has its own level of severity, it is hard to predict how many miles you can travel to work with the warning light on.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2019 BMW 325i?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a noticeable problem that could cause noticeable damage to your engine and come with a generous repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady glow generally means something less noticeable but a flashing check engine light hints that your vehicle’s engine is in noticeable trouble and service is fundamental immediately. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2019 BMW 325i, we highly recommend not to drive the vehicle and schedule BMW service straightaway. Below is a list of the most suitable reasons your check engine light can come on:

  • Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, known as the O2 sensor, measures the amount of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns faster and your vehicle will be less functional 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 2019 BMW 325i's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to indicate the right mixture 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.
  • Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2019 BMW 325i’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 repaired, your 2019 BMW 325i 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 additional problems from overheating.
  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your 2019 BMW 325i. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. This explosion is what moves the pistons and makes the engine run. The spark plug wires bring the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If your spark plugs or spark plug wires are bad or former, you will experience meager 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, big to more expensive repairs.
  • Your 2019 BMW 325i has a vacuum leak. Every BMW 325i 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 dry out and crack, especially if they’re exposed to bizarre heat or extreme attentive.
  • One of the most classic and frequent cause is that your 2019 BMW 325i gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2019 BMW 325i 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 former 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 expeditiously after you put gas in your 2019 BMW 325i, authentic thing you should check is to make positive the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
  • Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or additional item can wreak havoc on your 2019 BMW 325i if it’s not installed correctly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can eject the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound aware, bring your 325i to BMW and have our team of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed correctly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts authentic place might cost a small bit more but could save you money from having to get meager work and damage caused by meager installation work corrected.
  • Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your BMW 325i is what determines how much fuel is needed to run your engine efficiently by measuring the amount of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to certain changes, like altitude. If your BMW 325i is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a fast change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a bad mass airflow sensor.
  • The battery is scanty or dead. The battery in your 2019 BMW 325i is every basic. 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 truly require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of BMW you drive, but check our prevailing service coupons and specials.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2019 BMW 325i 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 cooperative, and you did various 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 2019 BMW 325i light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that sum and the light is still on, you will need to transport it in to Richmond BMW Midlothian so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

Is it safe to drive your 2019 BMW 325i with the check engine light on?

This question is not very clear 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 exact to drive. This is generally indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the vehicle, it could be an indication of a more unhealthy problem. If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a unhealthy issue and it is recommended to service your BMW 325i expeditiously. Call the veterans at Richmond BMW Midlothian by dialing 8043618758 so you can describe the issues. Or deduction your speed and bring your 2019 BMW to our certified mechanics as soon as feasible.