The check engine light, also known as the Engine Management Light (EML), is a dashboard warning sign for BMWs. It will turn on if more serious problems are found in the components or systems of your car that interact with the engine and the exhaust systems that link to it.
The main computer in your BMW, also referred to as the ECU or Engine Control Unit, is directly connected to the engine management light. The check engine light and an error code will turn on if the ECU notices a problem in one of the aforementioned systems. This can be used to appropriately identify the issue and fix it.
Depending on how serious the problem is, a driver must decide how to react right away to the EML. If the vehicle still seems to be in good working order, reduce your speed and head straight for a shop that specializes in repairs. However, pull over and request a rescue truck to tow you to a repair facility if the EML flashes red or if your automobile no longer feels safe.
In This Article...
(together with recommendations)
We apologise for the eight-month break in Project E46 M3 updates, but despite having a problem during the previous year that we kept quiet about, the car is currently functioning great. A new performance item has even been dyno tested, and several stylish exterior and interior changes have been made, but we’ll have more to say about that soon. We’ll talk about the aforementioned problem we resolved today.
If your BMW E46 hasn’t yet displayed the yellow “EML” indicator, it won’t be long. Its name, Elektronische Motorleistungsregelung, can refer to a wide range of “electronic engine power control” problems, most of which are connected to the drive-by-wire technology.
Ah, I see. the delightful EML light. In the instance of Project M3, when this light would turn on, the vehicle would immediately turn off and would not start again. As if we had a dead ECU, the engine would start to run but there would be no fuel or ignition. Not enjoyable if you’re unsure of what to do.
Yes, that is the low windshield fluid indication, which is empty (due to an error I made when installing a splitter I’ll soon be discussing with you). Yes, the airbag light is also on there, which has appeared on each of the five M3s I’ve owned. I just don’t care about it anymore since I’m so accustomed to seeing it.
Throttle Position Sensors (TPS) are the most frequent component to fail in the EML circuit, and the #1 TPS, which is located just above the air filter, is the one you want to have a problem. Simply put, replacing it is the simplest.
Before the AEM Infinity EMS installation, soon after we swapped our Corsa exhaust and VAC Motorsport pulleys, I first experienced the EML light turning on. It was first perplexing because after replacing TPS #1, the car ran smoothly, only for the light to return a week or two later.
Be careful not to strip the weak-sauce Phillips screws when replacing the TPS. Later, I changed them out for these Allen-head, socket-head cap screws with a size of M4 0.7 x 25mm.
Sadly, after a few weeks the EML light would occasionally turn on and the car would stall once more. I had hoped the latest AEM Infinity installation in Part 6 would resolve this, but sadly, nothing changed. But after that, it continued to drive well for several months. So strange so far.
I didn’t figure it out, or so I thought, until my wife and I drove from Kansas City to St. Louis in November 2013 to watch Argentina play Bosnia/Herzegovina in a FIFA soccer friendly (oh cow there are a lot of Bosnians in St. Louis!). At first, I had assumed that we were permanently stranded by the side of the road and that our weekend was over. Fortunately, we both discovered—well, she did, and she wants my readers to know about—that removing fuse #29 and reinstalling it with the key off turned off the EML light. (I just recently noticed that removing TPS #1 and plugging it back in would accomplish the same feat.) This method would be effective, but only for around 20 minutes.
How can you turn a BMW’s EML light back on?
Turning the ignition on and off is an even easier approach to switch off the engine management light. The result of this method is the same as the previous one’s, except the battery is not disconnected.
What triggers the BMW engine light to illuminate?
There are numerous recognized causes of a check engine light, including malfunctioning fuel injection components, filthy mass airflow sensors, broken oxygen sensors, bad head gaskets, and defective spark plugs.
What activates the EML light?
One of the most challenging jobs a manufacturer must complete when creating a new car is reducing engine exhaust emissions. Nobody wants their car to be dreadfully constricted and unable to be driven normally, nor do they want to damage the environment unduly. Manufacturers use a range of control systems to manage the exhaust in order to keep cars safe to drive and to prevent or reduce the emission of harmful gases.
The oxygen sensor, which many cars have more than one of, is one important component. This gauge detects the amount of oxygen that does not burn via the car’s exhaust, which can help determine whether the engine is using too much or not enough fuel. The engine will run “rich,” putting too much fuel and not enough air into its cylinders, if too little oxygen exits the exhaust.
An EML induced by the oxygen sensor may indicate that the engine is operating too richly or too leanly, or it may be the result of a sensor malfunction. The engine control unit (ECU) may need to be reprogrammed, calibrated, or, in certain cases, the oxygen sensor may need to be replaced in order to fix this issue.
It is important to keep in mind that in a few years, vehicles that fail a low-emissions test may immediately lose their MOT. The implementation of the new Euro 7 emissions standard is expected to result in regulations requiring routine emissions testing of vehicles and declaring them unroadworthy if they are unable to sufficiently filter out dangerous pollutants.
When the EML light is on, can I drive?
Generally speaking, you can keep driving to your destination unless there are more signs that something is amiss. To prevent further harm to your car, you should then have it inspected by a professional as soon as you can.
However, if you notice further problems with your car that point to an issue with the engine or if the EML is red or flashing while the engine is running, this may be a sign of a more serious issue. If this occurs, you ought to:
- As soon as it’s safe to do so, stop.
- Turn off the car’s engine.
Will a BMW check engine light automatically reset?
Since the Condition-Based Servicing system is used by the majority of BMW models, your check engine light ought to automatically turn off after the problematic issue has been fixed.
Can I operate a BMW with the check engine light on?
A constant glow normally denotes something less serious, but a check engine light that flashes suggests your car’s engine is seriously damaged and needs quick repair. We strongly advise not operating your BMW while the check engine light is flashing and setting up BMW servicing right away.
EML illumination: MOT failure?
Yes, if your engine management light stays on after starting the engine, your car will fail its MOT. It is now categorized as a significant defect under the new MOT regulations.
Your EML could be on for a variety of reasons, some of which are more obvious than others. Have your car checked at a garage if your light is on all the time or flashing.
It may be an issue with the catalytic converter, the EGR valve, or the DPF filter if your car is a diesel if it is emitting more emissions than it should. Your Engine Management Light can come on if one of these is broken.
I hope this clarified the situation for you. You should read Engine Management Light (What You Need To Know) or schedule a MOT online if you want to learn more.
What exactly does EML on your dashboard mean?
It can be unsettling when the engine management light comes on, but what does it actually mean, how serious is it, and what can you do to fix it?
The engine management light, commonly known as the “check engine light,” is a dashboard indicator that turns on when there is a problem with your car’s engine, exhaust, or emissions system. The EML is a general warning that something is wrong with your car rather than a specific issue like a “low coolant” or “check oil level” message or light would be.
Does an oil change cause the BMW check engine light to turn on?
- Needs Oil Changes: When it is time for an oil change, your BMW service engine light will on. The goal is to inform you when the time and mileage limits for your current oil have been reached. If you keep using your engine without changing the oil, even the best repair shop won’t be able to fix it.
- Low Oil or Other Fluid Levels: The service engine light also warns of low transmission fluid, coolant, or oil levels. Due to these low levels, this safety feature works to protect your car’s components.
- Regular Scheduled Maintenance: The computer in your BMW is preprogrammed with the timings for your regularly scheduled maintenance. The service engine soon light signals that your car needs to be taken in for its scheduled maintenance.
Your BMW will live longer and retain its value if you have routine maintenance done on it. You will eventually harm your car’s engine and other parts if you neglect any regular maintenance.
With the right preventive maintenance, a well-built car like a BMW can last for hundreds of thousands of kilometres. If your service engine light turns on, consider it a chance to save money and ensure you have a dependable car to drive for many years.
What is the cost of fixing the engine warning light?
Over the past year, the average cost to correct a “check engine light”-related issue dropped by 10%, and it now costs 15% less than it did in 2006. The current national average repair cost for a vehicle’s check engine light is $357, which includes labor ($141) and parts ($216).
How long does the check engine light remain on after the issue has been resolved?
Unless you resolve the issue, the check engine light is generally not going to reset itself. However, if you fix the issue, it can take some time for it to reset itself. Usually, it takes a car 10–20 successful cycles before the check engine light is turned off.
After you start your car cold, drive it until it warms up, then turn off the engine when you’re finished with your journey.
The check engine light will reset itself after 10–20 successful cycles, which can take some time if you are confident that you have resolved the issue that was generating the check engine light. As a result, using an OBD2 scanner to reset the check engine light is much simpler.
What is the most typical issue when the check engine light is illuminated?
Your oxygen sensor may be faulty, which is one of the most frequent causes of your check engine light. Western Washington’s local auto repair shop can rapidly replace it for you, restoring your car’s capacity to gauge unburned oxygen in the exhaust system.
Your engine will continue to use more fuel than it should up until you replace this component, which will decrease your car’s fuel efficiency. A new oxygen sensor will also assist you in avoiding harm to your spark plugs and catalytic converter.