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2012 BMW 325i Check Engine Light

A flashing light indicates that the problem is serious and if not taken care of quickly may result in major damage to the vehicle. If the check engine light in your 2012 BMW 325i starts flashing, that means that the problem needs immediate attention and your BMW should be brought in quickly. This blinking light naturally indicates a harsh engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can hastily raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where wear and tear is possible, requiring an expensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can absolutely be the cause. A detrimental, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is shining, please contact our team of automotive experts at Richmond BMW rapidly by calling 8042074692. 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 incredibly lavish repair.

Check Engine Light Service 2012 BMW 325i

What do you do when you’re driving along in your BMW 325i and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most BMW owners, your heart sinks a correct because you have correct 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 imply 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 2012 BMW 325i checked as soon as likely. Ignoring that warning could end up causing intriguing damage to fancy engine parts.

When your 2012 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 apt, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is consistently 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 electrical scan tool that is used by our BMW auto repair mechanics at Richmond BMW. There are also a number of rather inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you choose that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an trained high-tech to indicate the issue and repair it.

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

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

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

Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is not authentic to predict how bountiful miles you can drive with the warning light on. If you check engine light is flashing, we advocate that you pull over and contact Richmond BMW to help embrace if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we advocate a tow truck. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy subsequently.

Is it safe to drive your 2012 BMW 325i with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is twinkling, this means that there is a perilous issue and it is recommended to service your BMW 325i hastily. This question is not very 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 regularly indicated by a natural 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 dangerous problem. Call the experts at Richmond BMW by dialing 8042074692 so you can describe the issues. Or lower your speed and transport your 2012 BMW to our certified mechanics as soon as reasonable.

2012 BMW 325i Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are copious ability causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are plentiful current causes including something as discernable as a loose gas cap. Additional current reasons for a Check Engine Light are a malfunction with the fuel injection system, faulty emissions control part, damaged oxygen sensor, faulty head gasket, dirty mass airflow 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 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 serviced.

Every 2012 BMW 325i 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 continually detecting conditions while sending data to the electrical control team. If the electrical control team 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 wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Richmond BMW 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 skilled.

2012 BMW 325i 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 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 known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your 325i. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can pick. While that sounds daunting, with a tiny patience, tackling main diagnostics will give you comfortable knowledge about your car and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, conspicuous and good car symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of achievable OBD codes, there are also hundreds of achievable reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is intense for someone who does not have a lot of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. 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 alarming concern, you risk bad your car extra by not repairing the issue right away. Call Richmond BMW at 8042074692 today or schedule your check engine light service online today!

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2012 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 equitable, 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 2012 BMW 325i light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that reward and the light is still on, you will need to deliver it in to Richmond BMW so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most frequently misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2012 BMW 325i is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few tall 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 2012 BMW 325i. Some of these include controlling engine speed, shifting automatic transmissions ignition timing, and implementing stability control, just to name assorted. With that being said, the check engine light can imply a variety of further things. It can be as effortless as your gas cap being loose or as compelling as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2012 BMW 325i, contact Richmond BMW. Contact Richmond BMW 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 flashing.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2012 BMW 325i?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as authentic as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a harsh problem that could cause harsh damage to your engine and come with a astonishing repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady glow commonly means something less harsh but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in harsh trouble and service is decisive immediately. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2012 BMW 325i, we chiefly recommend not to drive the vehicle and schedule BMW service today. Below is a list of the most present reasons your check engine light can come on:

  • The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2012 BMW 325i is every convincing. 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 genuinely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of BMW you drive, but check our ordinary service coupons and specials.
  • Your catalytic converter is detrimental or going detrimental. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2012 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 offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every BMW service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it serviced, your 2012 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 back-up problems from overheating.
  • One of the most ordinary and bountiful cause is that your 2012 BMW 325i gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2012 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 detrimental fuel cap? If your gas cap is common 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 quickly after you put gas in your 2012 BMW 325i, first thing you should check is to make sure 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 back-up item can wreak havoc on your 2012 BMW 325i if it’s not installed properly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even avert the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound appreciative, bring your 325i 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, hugely aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts first place might cost a little bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and break caused by poor 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 crucial to run your engine efficiently by measuring the sum of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to conclusive changes, like altitude. If your BMW 325i is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a hasty change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a detrimental mass airflow sensor.
  • Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, appreciative as the O2 sensor, measures the sum of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns faster and your vehicle will be less possible 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 break to your catalytic converter and your 2012 BMW 325i's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to pick the right mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A detrimental O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are crucial for your 2012 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 transport the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If your spark plugs or spark plug wires are detrimental or common, 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 break to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more fancy repairs.
  • Your 2012 BMW 325i has a vacuum leak. Every BMW 325i has a vacuum system that performs a wide mixture of functions. The vacuum system also helps reduction in cost damaging 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, hugely if they’re exposed to imposing heat or extreme bitter.