Check Engine Light Service 2017 BMW 540i
What do you do when you’re driving along in your BMW 540i and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most BMW owners, your heart sinks extremely because you may have explicitly 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, calm breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t mean you have to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is advised that you get your 2017 BMW 540i checked promptly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing extensive, major damage to pricey engine components.
When your 2017 BMW 540i's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t correct, 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 can swiftly identify the issue, whether it's a sensor or a failing engine part. This code is read with an electronic scan tool that is used by our BMW auto repair mechanics at Richmond BMW. There are again a number of essentially inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you select that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced professional to determine the exactly appropriate issue and repair it.
2017 BMW 540i Check Engine Light Codes
The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating, especially to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly illuminate, 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 540i. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can correctly represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you helpful knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that essential Check Engine Light to do what it is absolutely supposed to do: be your guide. Sadly, evident and helpful vehicle symptoms do not consistently accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of potential OBD codes, there are also hundreds of potential reasons for the light, including:
- Transmission issues
- Ignition system faults
- Old Battery
- Emissions controls issues
- Bad Spark Plugs
- Computer output circuit issues
- Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
- Fuel and air metering systems problems
- O2 Sensor
This is why it is vital for someone who does not have a lot of predominant automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. Call Richmond BMW at 8042074692 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out promptly by a proficient certified BMW mechanic. If the engine light comes on due to a serious 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 commonly misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2017 BMW 540i is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the vital onboard diagnostics system, and displays in an assortment of 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 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 an assortment of things for your 2017 BMW 540i. Some of these essential duties include shifting automatic transmissions controlling engine speed, ignition timing, and implementing security control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a variety of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as dangerous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2017 BMW 540i, 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.
2017 BMW 540i Check Engine Light Flashing
Although there are countless potential causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are different common causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other often common reasons for a Check Engine Light are damaged oxygen sensor, dirty mass airflow sensor, damaged head gasket, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, damaged emissions control part, 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 Mechanics and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and absolutely repair it as needed to restore factory specifications. When this occurs, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your BMW issue was completely fixed.
Every 2017 BMW 540i was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the car on its crucial systems. The fast sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending essential data to the electronic control unit. If the electronic control unit detects that the data is out of factory specifications, the Check Engine Light illuminates telling you that there is a problem. Nonetheless, unfortunately 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 Very Qualified Service professional.
Is it safe to drive your 2017 BMW 540i with the check engine light on?
If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a serious issue and it is advised to service your BMW 540i promptly. This question is not very simple 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 ordinarily 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 serious problem. Call the experts at Richmond BMW by dialing 8042074692 so you can describe the issues. Or decrease your speed and bring your 2017 BMW to our certified mechanics as soon as imaginable.
Will the check engine light reset itself?
The check engine light on your 2017 BMW 540i will frequently shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For instance, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it's tightened, the light will promptly turn itself off. Again, if your catalytic converter is working perfectly, 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 2017 BMW 540i 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 Richmond BMW so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.
2017 BMW 540i Check Engine Light
A flashing light signifies that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of immediately may result in major and significant damage to the vehicle. If the check engine light in your 2017 BMW 540i starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention immediately and your BMW should be brought in instantly. This blinking light usually indicates a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can rapidly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an costly and major repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can exactly be the cause. A faulty, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If the problem is completely 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 pricey repair. If your check engine light is always flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Richmond BMW promptly by calling 8042074692.
How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?
The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is ordinarily between $88 and $111. The good news, Richmond BMW offers entirely complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help determine 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 serious failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it good to get the appropriate code reading and diagnosis.
What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2017 BMW 540i?
When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Still, the check engine light could likewise be a warning of a significant problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and costly repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady and continuous glow ordinarily means something less serious but a flashing check engine light reveals that your vehicle’s engine is in meaningful trouble and useful service is required quickly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2017 BMW 540i, we exceedingly suggest not to drive the car and schedule BMW service today. Below is a list of the most regular reasons your check engine light can come on:
- Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, known as the O2 sensor, measures the amount of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns more quickly and your car will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what hits if I don’t change your O2 sensor? A broken sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause meaningful damage to your catalytic converter and your 2017 BMW 540i's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the specifically right combination of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A broken O2 sensor can again cause a car to fail an emissions test.
- Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your BMW 540i 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 certain changes, like altitude. If your BMW 540i is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden fast change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a critical sign of a broken mass airflow sensor.
- The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2017 BMW 540i is each important. Without a car battery, your car won’t start, light up the road in front, 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 really require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of BMW you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
- One of the most regular and frequent cause is that your 2017 BMW 540i gas cap is loose, broken or missing. The gas cap for your 2017 BMW 540i serves numerous purposes. It prevents dangerous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps maintain pressure within the fuel tank. What hits if you have a broken fuel cap? If your gas cap is old or has a ruptured seal, you can lose fuel through evaporation which will result in more trips to the pump and be more pricey. Luckily, to change a gas cap isn't expensive. If your check engine light turns on quickly after you put gas in your 2017 BMW 540i, 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.
- New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your 2017 BMW 540i. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel combination in the combustion chamber of your car. This explosion is what moves the pistons and makes the engine run smooth. 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 old, you will experience a evident poor performance and decreased power. In some extreme cases, your engine will have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause obstructed catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more expensive repairs.
- Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2017 BMW 540i’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's function is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A broken catalytic converter is usually caused by invariably neglected maintenance, which is why Richmond BMW offers a free multi-point inspection with each BMW service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2017 BMW 540i 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 other delicate problems from overheating.
- Your 2017 BMW 540i has a vacuum leak. Each BMW 540i has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system again helps lower adverse 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, particularly if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme cold.
- Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your 2017 BMW 540i if it’s not installed correctly. These aftermarket components and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even impede the car from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your 540i to BMW and have our team of skilled certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed accurately and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, particularly aftermarket parts and accessories, or utilizing OEM components first place might cost a little bit more but could help you save considerably from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
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. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. If you check engine light is flashing, we suggest that you pull over and contact Richmond BMW to assist determine if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we suggest a tow truck. Since every check engine code has its own level of severity, it is generally difficult to predict how multiple miles you can be safe in driving with the warning light on.