How to Diagnose a Check Engine Light | BMW Ownership 101

VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED: Some strong language is used at the beginning of this video!
Were you thrashing your BMW around the track? Forget to change the oil 26,000km ago? Does your exhaust smell like eggs? Chances are your Check Engine Light or Service Engine Soon light has come on. Before parting the car out let's see what options are available to fix the problem.
We made this video as a parody, not of any other video, but just some car culture in general. We often found posts on forums and car communities asking to help diagnose an engine fault light without properly diagnosing the codes first, which would result in dozens of comments from the community, mostly negative. While we don't think a video like this will ever solve the problem of people asking for help without helping themselves first, we hope people will find it humorous, and share it when people ask for help like this.
We strongly recommend buying an inexpensive code scanner in order to get the basic codes for your check engine light before posting about it online. A photo alone of the light does nothing, yet many people think it will. While the first part of this video is meant to be funny and troll people who post help requests like this, the second half is informative and hopefully will be educational for some.

[@jermam2010]

Omg I love this! This is what I do..

[@PRNTestDrive]

I think a lot of us have been guilty of this at some point in our lives.

[@megankacica8979]

I got a 740 and I agree tons of issues but way better than a mustang any day

[@megankacica8979]

A 40 scanner would saved me tons of headaches omg great idea!!!

[@megankacica8979]

Me too lmao

[@ShinnSin]

Lmao the multi angle OH FUUUUUUUCCCKKK was hilarious.

[@PRNTestDrive]

Haha, thanks! Glad you liked that.

[@markk3453]

option D. do nothing and hope it goes away lol

[@PRNTestDrive]

Sometimes that works too!

[@DerwinDaDestroyer]

Definitely like this choice

[@TawnyRain2332]

Bmw approves this decision

[@jSideways]

I was flying at 110 with it on my 1999 E46 😂 Idk why its on tbh

[@etoineschrdlu9382]

I just bought a 143,000 mile, one owner, 1999 323i that looked to be meticulously maintained. Other than the sunroof shade being trash, & a few sweat equity upolstery repairs needed, it drove beautifully, the body was 9 points out of 10 (1 tiny rust spot & the expected paint chips, no dings!) and had a clean Carfax. I had the car three days and the check engine light came on. ...and, yes, I had the same reaction: Oh $#!+! Visions of dollar signs swam through my thoughts! Then I remembered my old 2001 Civic 5speed that would get a "Check Engine" light if I didn't tighten the gas cap enough. Sure enough, when I had filled the tank the night before I didn't get the gas cap inserted correctly and that triggered the error code. Reseat and turn the cap, reset the code, and voila!

[@PRNTestDrive]

Lucky for you it was just the gas cap. When we bought our 2001 BMW 740iL we drove it up the street after taking the keys (and the dealership closed for the night), filled it up, and the check engine light came on. Thought it was the gas cap too, but it ended up being the mass airflow sensor. We went back to Ajax last weekend and found that dealership is no longer there, they clearly hid the issue with my car, I'm sure I wasn't the only person they did this to. Either way, we're glad yours isn't an issue!

[@etoineschrdlu9382]

Ouch! The dealership just diappeared?!?!? Wow! I'm pretty sure that won't happen to me, the dealership I bought mine from has been around since 1966. I've bought new and used cars from them and never had a bad experience. Their service departments are pretty good, too. At least with your car it was just a mass airflow sensor and nothing worse. (BTW: 7 series is AWESOME!)

[@PRNTestDrive]

That's certainly true, a quick check of the OBD code and I was set with a solution.

[@chibamayn]

Thanks for the video

[@PRNTestDrive]

Hope you liked it as much as we did making it 🤣

[@javianjohnson8746]

LMFAOOO he put the car up for sale IMMEDIATELY hahahahaha

[@PRNTestDrive]

That really should have been the next step after the CEL came on 🤣

[@KoyoSimp170]

0:27 😂 and thx for vid, I bought scanner for my 330i 😂😂

[@PRNTestDrive]

Glad it helped!

[@panelbrian8459]

Hahaha! I did the same, sell for parts. It ended up being a loose timing belt with no damage. Metal in oil was normal. Almost lost 8 grand given away, whew

[@honaybrown4591]

Mine came up as missfire but we cant seem to find what the problem is. We have gone over everything with a fine tooth comb. Cant figure out what we could b missing

[@PRNTestDrive]

If it’s anything like my car, it could be the catalytic converters. I had misfires when going full throttle and found one of the cats was clogged due to age. Might be something to look into, easiest way to tell is get your mechanic to run the engine hot for a while and read the temps off the cats, if they’re too hot then they’re clogged.

[@delsar1523]

Pug it into your diagnostic port . Counts me out straight away I dont have one of them in my bmw

[@PRNTestDrive]

Gotta get some jumper plugs and check the flashing lights then!

[@Lov-o-LutionaryMattersbyBroMum]

😂😂😂😂

[@PRNTestDrive]

Glad you got a laugh out of it! We had fun making this one.

[@zlord1199]

People who can't afford to fix BMW will always part it out. But it's an old luxury German car so of course it will have a lot of mechanical problems if it wasn't taken well care of. I say if you can't afford it don't fucking buy it.

[@PRNTestDrive]

That's certainly true!

[@SaiPhet]

The acting in this 🤣🤣🤣

[@PRNTestDrive]

The Director really brought out the best in my acting!

[@ChuckNorris01]

I laughed so thumbs up 👍

[@PRNTestDrive]

Glad you liked it! We hope it actually does help some people out there.

[@余晖-w3m]

what about c310+ scanner?? thx

[@PRNTestDrive]

I haven't had any experience with it to be honest, pretty much any OBD-II scanner will do the trick, and be immensely more useful than posting about a light on a forum/group.

[@johnpeters4100]

This man is mad

[@HMVlogs20]

hi bro, thank you for advices. where can i buy obs scan for (bmw series 5 525i year 2006)?

[@PRNTestDrive]

Any car part shop will sell them, but if you want to diagnose issues related to the BMW’s onboard fault computer you’d need to find someone selling a specific computer unit for that, as they’re pretty specialized. The OBD2 scanners are good for all sorts of problem diagnosing.

[@HMVlogs20]

@@PRNTestDrive thanks 💪

[@hmj8469]

I have a 2013 328i and the check engine light came on. Since I don't drive much I waited several weeks to take it to the dealership. The day I was going to take it the light came on when i started it, but then 20 minutes later the light went out so I didn't take it in. I'm assuming these codes gets stored so would you recommend me still getting this device, and if so, can it read the codes that are stored? Oh and lastly, I was planning on not taking the car in and seeing if the light came back on; is that wise?

[@PRNTestDrive]

They should be stored in the car's OBD computer, so the shop can at least get an idea of what the problem was seeing as it's intermittent. Normally though the check engine light won't turn off unless the vehicle has been checked with a scanner, so perhaps the issue is relatively minor and only triggers the light when the problem is present.

[@deliciousnicky4722]

I have changed my bmw x5 rear brakes bads but it keeps saying brakes are worn out

[@PRNTestDrive]

Did you replace the sensors also? On my E38 there's a set of sensors that wear down as the brakes do, they need to be replaced at the same time.

[@hassanmmbaga8269]

Bmw X3 check engine is light on when i was drive however there is no abnormal noise what lam do for this

[@PRNTestDrive]

You’ll need to get a code scanner as I discussed in the second half of this video. Only then you’ll know what’s wrong with it, as it can be emissions related issues.

[@ItsRacheal]

😂😂😂 this is hilarious

[@PRNTestDrive]

Glad someone enjoyed it!

[@lubomiratzatzeva7261]

“FUUUUUCCKKK!! FUUUUUUUCCCCKKKKKKK!!!!” That’s me when that service soon light comes on

[@PRNTestDrive]

It's us too, every time!

[@PsychicReverendDonnaSeraphina]

Would have been funny if the title wasn't misleading

[@PRNTestDrive]

I mean, it does explain what to do. So

[@williambuddy-k6313]

My BMW 320i doesn't detect when diagnosed

[@williambuddy-k6313]

My BMW 320i Enjin E90 model 2008 doesn't detect diagnostic

[@PRNTestDrive]

I'm not quite sure what you mean, can you provide a bit more information? Is your check engine light on and you're using an OBDII scanner like the one we have in this video?

[@johnvanderv.4219]

😂😂 great vid!!

[@PRNTestDrive]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@decimuscarrerus]

2003 bmw x5 engine light will not turn on when i put the key to on. Why?

[@PRNTestDrive]

Someone might have intentionally disabled it, which could be a big red flag. Even if the light itself doesn't light up, the car should still store the fault codes. If you can get yourself a code reader I'd run it through to see if there's anything. That light should absolutely come on for a second when starting the car to ensure it's working.

[@ciggman2007]

PRN_TestDrive the

[@uptownphotography]

Just bought a 2008 335XI and the 1/2 yellow engine light came on. Can you recommend a scanner to buy as there seems to be many out there. Thanks and nice video....I subscribed......

[@PRNTestDrive]

Any OBDII scanner will work fine, the one we bought was from Walmart and cost around $40. It's basic, but gives you the codes which can easily be found online by searching the code number, since they're universal. Once you search for the code + BMW Model you should be able to find specific topics on what the problem could be. The most expensive/advanced ones also read the code fault description, but with smart phones they really aren't as necessary.

[@uptownphotography]

Thanks for the info....Have you heard of or used the "Bavarian Technic Basic Cable" w/software. It's more money at $179, but seems very detailed in what you can access...Not sure if that is a waste or money or if it gives any benefits over a OBDII hand held unit...Thanks for you reply to my other question...

[@SEBAS31077]

got code p0012

[@PRNTestDrive]

I had that as well, just needed a new camshaft position sensor as the old one had died out.

[@JuanLopez-gh1rb]

.ooo fuck lmfaoooooo

[@PRNTestDrive]

It's how I feel every time that check engine light comes on 😂

[@legioner9]

=)))) epic

[@PRNTestDrive]

Glad you think so!

[@MikeHughesShooter]

Hahahahah. A n B

[@L-K-1984]

Quick fix :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnasmKtuqql6f5Y

[@PRNTestDrive]

LOL!

[@metalman4141]

Nothing is entertaining about a bmw 👎

[@PRNTestDrive]

That’s why I drive Mercedes now.

[@560summergreen]

Wast of time, not cute

[@PRNTestDrive]

k

[@JasonVirgo-pr9wt]

😂

[@PRNTestDrive]

Glad you think so! We still crack up watching this all these years later. It even shows up as the first result on Google if you search for BMW Check Engine Light.

[@nosleevefitness7604]

I got a 750i full of problems and still beats 5.0 mustangs 😂

[@wesleypedersen6129]

But I did find a solution yep posted just like you said only for sale

[@Tarek-io7pz]

Since I bought my bmw 325i nothing but nightmares spent thousands of dollars cost of repairs .. my advice stay away from bmw used , buy brand new

[@PRNTestDrive]

There certainly are some rough examples out there, and even ones with good service histories can become problematic.

[@spera438]

Tarek Hahaahhahahha "buy brand new" problem solved :-D

[@Tarek-io7pz]

spera my point used BMW cars will be nothing but headaches

[@deejarvisful]

Here's another great tip for you. Avoid not being rich, by being rich. Fucking awesome hint, thanks.

[@TheAvira123]

It's not always true.. You were just unlucky. I bought a used one that's done over 230k kilometres. Owned it for a year now and never had a problem.