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BMW X1 Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard swiftly lights up, 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 receptive as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your X1. There are hundreds of diversified codes that your check engine light can choose. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling preeminent diagnostics will give you accessible knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, unmistakable and accessible vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of agreeable OBD codes, there are also hundreds of agreeable reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is crucial 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 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out quickly by a certified BMW mechanic. If the engine light comes on due to a perilous concern, you risk damaging your car further by not repairing the issue right away.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most generally misunderstood lights or indicators in your BMW X1 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 BMW X1. Some of these include shifting automatic transmissions controlling engine speed, ignition timing, and implementing stability control, just to name assorted. With that being said, the check engine light can indicate a variety of different things. It can be as uncomplicated as your gas cap being loose or as rare as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your BMW X1, contact Coggin BMW Treasure Coast. Contact Coggin BMW Treasure Coast today! Our BMW service department can help you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is blinking.

Check Engine Light Service BMW X1

What do you do when you’re driving along in your BMW X1 and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates 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 value 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 BMW X1 checked as soon as possible. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major damage to expensive engine components.

When your BMW X1's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t lawful, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is generally 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 embrace that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an skilled professional to express the issue and repair it.

BMW X1 Check Engine Light

A flashing light indicates that the problem is unhealthy and if not taken care of hastily may result in illustrious damage to the vehicle. If the check engine light in your BMW X1 starts flashing, that means that the problem needs prompt attention and your BMW should be brought in hastily. This glaring light usually hints a strict engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be discharged into the exhaust system. There it can abruptly hike the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an expensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can solely be the cause. A detrimental, 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 remarkably expensive repair. If your check engine light is flashing, please contact our team of automotive mentors at Coggin BMW Treasure Coast quickly by calling 7727425582.

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

Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is hard to predict how several miles you can commute with the warning light on. If you check engine light is shining, we recommend that you pull over and contact Coggin BMW Treasure Coast to help favor if your vehicle is safe to commute in or if we recommend a tow truck. It could be anything from a detrimental sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly.

BMW X1 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 various cordial causes including something as real as a loose gas cap. Disparate cordial reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty emissions control part, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, faulty head gasket, damaged oxygen sensor, dirty mass airflow sensor, or defective spark plugs to name a few. 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 essential 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 BMW X1 was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its troublesome systems. The sensors are commonly detecting conditions while sending data to the electronic control unit. If the electronic control unit detects that the data is out of factory specifications, the Check Engine Light lights up telling you that there is a problem. However, that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what explicitly is erroneous 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 Highly Qualified Service professional.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a BMW X1?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as realistic as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a risky problem that could cause risky 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 frequently means something less risky but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in risky trouble and service is decisive expeditiously. If your check engine light is flashing in your BMW X1, we highly recommend not to drive the vehicle and schedule BMW service expeditiously. Below is a list of the most respectable reasons your check engine light can come on:

  • One of the most noted and countless cause is that your BMW X1 gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your BMW X1 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 aged 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 urgently after you put gas in your BMW X1, first 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.
  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are fundamental for your BMW X1. 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 bad or aged, 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 wear and tear to ignition coils and O2 sensors, major to more expensive repairs.
  • Your BMW X1 has a vacuum leak. Every BMW X1 has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system also helps lessen down bad 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, exceptionally if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme bitter.
  • Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your BMW X1 is what determines how much fuel is fundamental 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 informed changes, like altitude. If your BMW X1 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.
  • Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or contrasting item can wreak havoc on your BMW X1 if it’s not installed properly. These aftermarket components and accessories can deposit the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even avert the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound chummy, bring your X1 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, exceptionally aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM components first place might rate a little bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and wear and tear caused by poor installation work corrected.
  • Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your BMW X1’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 BMW X1 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 contrasting problems from overheating.
  • Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, chummy 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 impressive 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 wear and tear to your catalytic converter and your BMW X1's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine 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.
  • The battery is low or dead. The battery in your BMW X1 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 bountiful decades ago, and they don't really 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 BMW X1 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 factual, and you did countless 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 BMW X1 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 bring it in to Coggin BMW Treasure Coast so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

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

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

Is it safe to drive your BMW X1 with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a direct issue and it is recommended to service your BMW X1 suddenly. This question is not excessively pure 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 safe to drive. This is usually indicated by a persistent 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 adequate problem. Call the consultants at Coggin BMW Treasure Coast by dialing 7727425582 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce your speed and bring your BMW to our certified mechanics as soon as possible.