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What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most typically misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2013 BMW 328i is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few different ways. It can say "Check Engine", it can be a symbol of an engine, it can even be a combination of both. This light lights up in either an amber or red color and is part of the diagnostics system found on your car. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored car performance since the 80s and do a variety of things for your 2013 BMW 328i. Some of these include shifting automatic transmissions ignition timing, controlling engine speed, and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a range of diversified things. It can be as easy as your gas cap being loose or as unsafe as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2013 BMW 328i, contact Coggin BMW Treasure Coast. Our BMW service department can help you read what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing. Contact Coggin BMW Treasure Coast today!

2013 BMW 328i Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are bountiful feasible causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are a lot discernible causes including something as discernible as a loose gas cap. Additional discernible reasons for a Check Engine Light are a malfunction with the fuel injection system, faulty head gasket, dirty mass airflow sensor, faulty emissions control part, damaged oxygen sensor, or defective spark plugs to name assorted. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the BMW Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and repair it as basic 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 2013 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 difficult systems. The sensors are continuously detecting conditions while sending data to the electrical control unit. If the electrical 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 exactly is inaccurate nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Coggin BMW Treasure Coast provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Extraordinarily Qualified Service professional.

Check Engine Light Service 2013 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 scant because you have scant 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 2013 BMW 328i checked as soon as available. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major break to expensive engine components.

When your 2013 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 good, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is ordinarily 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 read with an electronic analyze tool that is used by our BMW auto repair mechanics at Coggin BMW Treasure Coast. There are also a number of relatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you advantage that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an skilled professional to choose the issue and repair it.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2013 BMW 328i?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as evident as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a relentless problem that could cause relentless damage to your engine and come with a considerable repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady glow generally means something less relentless but a flashing check engine light implies that your vehicle’s engine is in relentless trouble and service is essential immediately. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2013 BMW 328i, we particularly imply not to drive the vehicle and schedule BMW service today. Below is a list of the most natural reasons your check engine light can come on:

  • Your catalytic converter is destructive or going destructive. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2013 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 Coggin BMW Treasure Coast 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 2013 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 different problems from overheating.
  • Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, acknowledged 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 actual 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 2013 BMW 328i's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to mean the good mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A destructive O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
  • One of the most common and many cause is that your 2013 BMW 328i gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2013 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 destructive fuel cap? If your gas cap is departed 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 fancy. If your check engine light turns on suddenly after you put gas in your 2013 BMW 328i, first thing you should check is to make satisfied 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 needed for your 2013 BMW 328i. 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 deliver the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If your spark plugs or spark plug wires are destructive or departed, 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, central to more fancy repairs.
  • Your 2013 BMW 328i has a vacuum leak. Every BMW 328i has a vacuum system that performs a extensive variety of functions. The vacuum system also helps reduce detrimental 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 profound heat or extreme bitter.
  • The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2013 BMW 328i is every crucial. 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 assorted decades ago, and they don't certainly require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of BMW you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
  • Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or different item can wreak havoc on your 2013 BMW 328i if it’s not installed appropriately. These aftermarket components and accessories can discharge the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound traditional, bring your 328i to BMW and have our unit 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 components first place might cost a little 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 328i 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 factual changes, like altitude. If your BMW 328i is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a rapid change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a destructive mass airflow sensor.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2013 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 functional, 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 2013 BMW 328i light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that amount and the light is still on, you will need to transport it in to Coggin BMW Treasure Coast so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

Is it safe to drive your 2013 BMW 328i with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a dire issue and it is recommended to service your BMW 328i instantly. This question is not very commonplace because it any depends on the severity of the issue. If the cause is a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, it should be safe to commute. This is usually 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 awful problem. Call the consultants at Coggin BMW Treasure Coast by dialing 7727425582 so you can describe the issues. Or lessen your speed and transport your 2013 BMW to our certified technicians as soon as potential.

2013 BMW 328i Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that tiny light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly illuminates, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear proper 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 known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your 328i. There are hundreds of distinctive codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a tiny patience, tackling extensive diagnostics will give you beneficial knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is surely supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, conspicuous and convenient vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of convenient OBD codes, there are also hundreds of convenient reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is mandatory for someone who does not have a lot of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. Call Coggin BMW Treasure Coast at 7727425582 now or schedule your check engine light service online today! If the engine light comes on due to a strict concern, you risk damaging your vehicle extra by not repairing the issue correct away. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out abruptly by a certified BMW mechanic.

2013 BMW 328i Check Engine Light

A flashing light indicates that the problem is hazardous and if not taken care of rapidly may result in broad damage to the automobile. If the check engine light in your 2013 BMW 328i starts flashing, that means that the problem needs prompt attention and your BMW should be brought in rapidly. This blinking light usually expresses a exacting engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be discharged into the exhaust system. There it can quickly surge the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is potential, requiring an lavish repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can strictly be the cause. A bad, classic or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Coggin BMW Treasure Coast urgently by calling 7727425582. 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 very costly repair.

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

The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is mostly between $88 and $111. The hopeful news, Coggin BMW Treasure Coast offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help suggest the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not subsequently tightened to a more rigid failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it hopeful to get the suitable code reading and diagnosis.

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. Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is difficult to predict how many miles you can drive with the warning light on. If you check engine light is flashing, we suggest that you pull over and contact Coggin BMW Treasure Coast to help express if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we suggest a tow truck. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced.