Please wait while the page loads...

BMW 528i Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are copious potential causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are several imperative causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Distinctive imperative reasons for a Check Engine Light are a malfunction with the fuel injection system, damaged oxygen sensor, dirty mass airflow sensor, faulty head gasket, faulty emissions control part, or defective spark plugs to name many. 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 crucial 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 528i was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its curious systems. The sensors are continually 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 exactly is sorry 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 professional.

Check Engine Light Service BMW 528i

What do you do when you’re driving along in your BMW 528i and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most BMW owners, your heart sinks a tiny because you have tiny idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react. The fear of the unknown (or the price of the unknown) can be just as stressful. But take a deep breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t determine you have to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is recommended that you get your BMW 528i checked as soon as feasible. Ignoring that warning could end up causing tall damage to expensive engine components.

When your BMW 528i's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electrical control system that it can’t honorable, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is typically 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 audit tool that is used by our BMW auto repair technicians at Richmond BMW. There are also a number of relatively low-cost code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you indicate that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an trained mechanical to indicate the issue and repair it.

BMW 528i Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your BMW 528i starts shining, that means that the problem needs prompt attention and your BMW should be brought in swiftly. A shining light indicates that the problem is serious and if not taken care of swiftly may result in major damage to the vehicle. This blinking light often indicates a direct engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can suddenly hike the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an fancy repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can actually be the cause. A destructive, erstwhile 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 exceedingly expensive repair. If your check engine light is flashing, please contact our company of automotive experts at Richmond BMW instantly by calling 8042074692.

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

The average value for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is mostly between $88 and $111. The relevant news, Richmond BMW 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 accurately tightened to a more exacting failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it relevant to get the relevant code reading and diagnosis.

Is it safe to drive your BMW 528i with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a threatening issue and it is recommended to service your BMW 528i suddenly. This question is not very uncomplicated because it each 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 frequently indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the car, it could be an indication of a more contentious problem. Call the experts at Richmond BMW by dialing 8042074692 so you can describe the issues. Or lessen your speed and bring your BMW to our certified mechanics as soon as functional.

BMW 528i Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that tiny light on your vehicle’s dashboard hastily illuminates, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear decent 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 528i. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can indicate. While that sounds daunting, with a tiny patience, tackling principal diagnostics will give you favorable knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is certainly supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, acceptable and favorable vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of feasible OBD codes, there are also hundreds of feasible reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is main for someone who does not have plentiful of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. If the engine light comes on due to a relentless concern, you risk damaging your car supplemental by not repairing the issue honest away. 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 immediately by a certified BMW mechanic.

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

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a BMW 528i?

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 relevant problem that could cause relevant damage to your engine and come with a exciting repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady glow normally means something less relevant but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in relevant trouble and service is mandatory suddenly. If your check engine light is flashing in your BMW 528i, we hugely endorse not to drive the vehicle and schedule BMW service today. Below is a list of the most cognizant reasons your check engine light can come on:

  • Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your BMW 528i is what determines how much fuel is decisive to run your engine efficiently by measuring the payment of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to authentic changes, like altitude. If your BMW 528i is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a agile change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a harmful mass airflow sensor.
  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are decisive for your BMW 528i. 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 bring the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If your spark plugs or spark plug wires are harmful or old, 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 damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, large to more expensive repairs.
  • Your BMW 528i has a vacuum leak. All BMW 528i has a vacuum system that performs a expansive variety of functions. The vacuum system also helps lower harmful 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 extraordinary heat or extreme bitter.
  • One of the most classic and frequent cause is that your BMW 528i gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your BMW 528i 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 harmful 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. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't expensive. If your check engine light turns on immediately after you put gas in your BMW 528i, earliest 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.
  • The battery is little or dead. The battery in your BMW 528i is all notable. 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 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.
  • Your catalytic converter is harmful or going harmful. The catalytic converter is a part of your BMW 528i’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 consistently caused by neglected maintenance, which is why Richmond BMW offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with all BMW service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your BMW 528i 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 divergent problems from overheating.
  • Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, known as the O2 sensor, measures the payment of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns faster and your vehicle will be less factual 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 BMW 528i's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the decent mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A harmful O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
  • Issues with all aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or divergent item can wreak havoc on your BMW 528i if it’s not installed properly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can discard the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound prevalent, bring your 528i to BMW and have our squad of certified technicians ensure that your aftermarket items were installed correctly and aren't causing all issue. Getting accessories, particularly aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts earliest place might cost a little bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your BMW 528i 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 competent, 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 BMW 528i 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 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 usually misunderstood lights or indicators in your BMW 528i is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few divergent 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 528i. 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 endorse a range of diverse things. It can be as authentic as your gas cap being loose or as exacting as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your BMW 528i, 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 analyze why your check engine light is flashing.