Engine/Service/Inspection Dash Warnings

[Niall26]

Hey guys, new member here, just picked up my Z3 yesterday, 2002 BMW Z3 Sport Roadster with 55k miles

Hopefully I have this post in the right place, I had a few lights come onto the dash, I'm taking it to the dealer Tuesday but just wanted to see if anyone could shed some light on possibilities (I know the engine light can be on for many reasons)

When I first turn the car on there is an oil service light an an inspection light. If I recall correctly, these where there when I picked it up, they go away once I start driving so I assumed they just came on at the start regardless (My old car had lights on the dash that always light up when you turned the key)

The oil and battery lights at the top turn off when the engine is started but the engine light at the bottom stays on

The car runs super well, always starts with no issues, plenty of power, no rattles etc

When I started it today though it seemed a bit rough but it settled after I sat there for around 30 seconds

I have attached a few pictures

 

[mrscalex]

You may want to watch this thread.

https://zroadster.org/threads/do-i-need-to-panic.24472/

 

[Scooblitz]

I think it really looks like it needs a service done. Also getting a "service reset tool" or code reader would be usage ofter giving the car new oil, air filters, sparks etc. See if the light stays on after that. If you are doing the service yourself, bmw have a special tool to unlock the oil filter cartridge.

 

[roadvoyager1]

Well overdue a service. Do, get the service done, reset the codes. After driving it for a couple of days read the codes again to see what actualyy shows up as a concern.

 

[Niall26]

You may want to watch this thread.

https://zroadster.org/threads/do-i-need-to-panic.24472/

I had a read at that one, I had some extra lights on so figured I would put a separate post in. Thank you though, I'm going to keep an eye on it

I think it really looks like it needs a service done. Also getting a "service reset tool" or code reader would be usage ofter giving the car new oil, air filters, sparks etc. See if the light stays on after that. If you are doing the service yourself, bmw have a special tool to unlock the oil filter cartridge.

I was thinking that myself but they said it was serviced and MOT'd around a month before I got it. Do they lights for that need to be reset manually after a service?

 

[Niall26]

Well overdue a service. Do, get the service done, reset the codes. After driving it for a couple of days read the codes again to see what actualyy shows up as a concern.

Thanks for the information, is this the type of device I need to read the codes?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MAOZUA-Lat...&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=c110+scanner+bmw&psc=1

 

[Scooblitz]

Thanks for the information, is this the type of device I need to read the codes?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MAOZUA-Lat...&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=c110+scanner+bmw&psc=1

I feel rude for not realising, welcome to the forum @Niall26 . Great to have another Zer on here.

So first of all, a code reader is certainly a great little device. It will allow you to view and reset a few options on the car-computer.

The one you have linked is a more expensive option but its a good one. You may also need to purchase a BMW 16-20 pin adapter. You may have the facility on your car for just the 16 pin connector, it depends on the year of the car. www.realoem.com is a great resource.

So it is worth opening up the hood and going through the processes of the service. Is the oil new? New spark plugs? Is the air filter clean? Oil filter? If the items all look new, perhaps it would just need the service light resetting. This can be done on the tool you have linked.

If the car has been sitting a while, it might need a good run. Always possible.

Best bet is to get a code reader and come back to the forum with the results.

 

[windym]

Hi and welcome, you may find someone near you with a code reader. May be worth letting the forum know where you are and see if
anyone is close by.

Andy

 

[Niall26]

I feel rude for not realising, welcome to the forum @Niall26 . Great to have another Zer on here.

So it is worth opening up the hood and going through the processes of the service. Is the oil new? New spark plugs? Is the air filter clean? Oil filter? If the items all look new, perhaps it would just need the service light resetting. This can be done on the tool you have linked.

If the car has been sitting a while, it might need a good run. Always possible.

Thanks for the welcome and yes the car has been sitting for a while, the dealer got it last year and kept it to enjoy for the summer, then had it in storage to this year when he decided to sell

Hi and welcome, you may find someone near you with a code reader. May be worth letting the forum know where you are and see if
anyone is close by.

Andy

I'm in Ireland so probably nobody near me unfortunately

I have to take it to the dealers on Tuesday anyway so I might ring tomorrow and see if they have one and can look at it for me before I invest myself. It came with a 6 month parts and labour warranty so hopefully I will be covered

I'm just hoping its just the light needing reset so it isn't stuck on the garage for what little summer we have left

 

[Scooblitz]

I'm sure there will be some Zs in Ireland. Any help or questions, the forum will answer.

 

[mwpe]

Hi and welcome to the forum, it seems strange to me that a dealer sells a car that is obviously overdue a service. the red inspection light will only come on if you ignore the amber one.

 

[BMBabe]

Welcome to the forum
@DavidM is your way

 

[colb]

Engine Check Light remaining on indicates it has set a code for something that is not performing as it should (one of the many sensors on these engines. Need to plug it in to a code reader to view what code(s) it has set to point you in the right direction. A code reader will have the ability to re set the engine management light and clear the codes if the fault persists it will light up again and store the codes again so you can read them again.

If it had a recent oil change whats it look like on the dipstick, check what it looks like should be still a light colour, if its really black then I would doubt a oil change was done let alone a filter change. If it did have an oil change maybe those who did it didn't reset the service light, hence its gone red now. You can reset the service light using a paperclip to short out two connections in the 20pin round under bonnet diagnostic socket. Search on here for details of how to do this.

It can be reset using BMW Diagnostics INPA or by purchasing a cheap service light reset tool on ebay that simply carries out what the paperclip method does but uses a little black box with buttons on it.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Auto-Car...904425&hash=item3d002b41ef:g:OqcAAMXQ1ZhTfBkP

As to code readers, getting one will be the best investment you will ever make, save the cost first time you use it.
Cheapest set up in the previous post https://zroadster.org/threads/do-i-need-to-panic.24472/

A separate Air Bag code reader would also be a good investment
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Airbag-R...405395?hash=item41e38ae713:g:nKkAAOSwVK9bEQ-R

 

[Niall26]

Thanks for the further welcomes and replies everyone

I spoke with the dealer today, it went through its MOT about a month ago and he said it was serviced before it. Says they probably just forgot to reset the light and he will have someone look at it when I bring it down tomorrow

I'll give the oil a look though and see if it looks black. I think I will invest in a code reader too, seems a handy tool to have especially since I want to start doing more of my own maintenance with this car

 

[Nodzed]

Hi & Welcome to the forum from another Niall

 

[colb]

As the car is new to you I would strongly advise that you have a go at servicing it yourself then you know its been done right and starting from a clean sheet. Once armed with the code reader and airbag reader plus the service reset tool I mentioned above you will be well equipped to care for the car.
I would change the gearbox lubricant and diff oil as well as the engine oil, make sure you put the correct gearbox fluid in, some models take ATF fluid as opposed to an oil. If you have a handbook with the car it will be listed in there, otherwise get under the car an look for a label on the gearbox if its still there otherwise ask on here for advice. Gearbox fluid change will do wonders for your gearbox.
On a safety note equip yourself with a low level trolly jack and a pair of axle stands, I also have a pair of steel car ramps which I find great to use.

 

[Niall26]

If you have a handbook with the car it will be listed in there, otherwise get under the car an look for a label on the gearbox if its still there otherwise ask on here for advice. Gearbox fluid change will do wonders for your gearbox.
On a safety note equip yourself with a low level trolly jack and a pair of axle stands, I also have a pair of steel car ramps which I find great to use.

No handbook unfortunately, it's back with the dealer at the minute getting checked out. Hopefully getting it back tomorrow.

I'd love to get steel ramps but city centre apartment so space is unfortunately limited, I will have to make do with axle stands, going to bookmark this thread and refer back to it as a list of what I need to pick up

Thanks again everyone for all the help

Also, you guys need to get Ireland added to the country affiliation in account details !

 

[Shieldz]

Hi from North Somerset.

 

[Nodzed]

Also, you guys need to get Ireland added to the country affiliation in account details !

That's one for admin @GazHyde

 

[Niall26]

Got the car back from the dealer, engine light was sorted, can't remember what he said the issue was but they were able to fix it

Bloody inspection light still comes on though, car was already running when I got it back as he drove it out of the garage for me, then when I stopped later and restarted it, the light came on (that light goes away within like 20 seconds of the car turning on)

Hoping I can reset that one myself with the code reader though

Thanks again for all the help guys, really happy the engine light was nothing serious