Check engine light, no code?

[Reeves]

I made a 2 minute stop and when I started my car back up I had the check engine light on.. When I turned it off then back on the code was gone.. So I did the stomp test and the check engine light flashed once, indicating that the stomp worked, but it gave me no code..

Is this common? I'm thinking it was just a fluke..

[jlevie]

Have the DME scanned.

[Reeves]

It's the first time it's happened in 3 years so unless it pops up again I'm not gonna worry about it.. Just curious if that's ever happened to anyone. I mean why would the light come on and then not give a code..

[Reeves]

Light came on again.. Did a stomp test again, this time it flashed once, paused, then started flashing non stop.. No code. Where can I have it scanned? I was at pep boys earlier and they said they couldn't

[jlevie]

You'll need to take the car to a shop that specializes in BMW's.

[E30Gus]

For the past 6 years my 86 es flashed the light and never gave me a code. I put a sticker over the light. Now my 86 325i gives me a light so I took the bulb out.

[Reeves]

I did some reading and i believe motronic 1.1 systems only give 4 very basic 1 digit codes, and they don't work with the stomp test, where as the 1.3 systems give more detailed 4 digit codes and you can do the stomp test.. I'm on an 87 325is so it was originally 1.1 with 153 ecu, but I have upgraded to 1.3 with the 173 ecu. Now since I have the 173 I should get all the same codes anyone else with 1.3 gets, right? Or is there something else in my car that determines the codes? I did get 1 engine light flash, which would indicate code #1, which is an AFM code in motronic 1.1.. And I did swap in a MAF so maybe there was something funky going on there.

BTW The codes never appeared while driving, only right when I started the car up while it was hot. If I disconnect the battery the light doesn't come back.

[brody]

If it was a true MAF related code because the PSIK was faulty you would know it. Driveability would suck.

Get it scanned and let us know what it says. If you want for piece of mind, run through the troubleshooting guide on the website. If all your voltages check out, then you are golden.

Where it is asking for 1.0v, your sensor will actually be 0.1V or there abouts. The guide is for our GENIII sensors, but is the same for the PSIK other than the one voltage difference.

[Reeves]

Not worried that the MAF is faulty at all as the car drives great. Just thought maybe it was related somehow. The first time the light came on I didn't even have the PSIK, just the war chip.

Will the check engine light come on when there are vacuum leaks? I just found a crack in my valve cover, and although it doesn't feel like I have a vacuum leak i'm sure it is drawing in at least some air..

[brody]

Cloy the files offyour war chip and send them to me. I just want to check something. Once in a blue moon my car sets a CEL for the dme becuase the WAR chip doesn't "boot up" fast enough, but you would get a trouble code for that when doing the stomp.

[Reeves]

I've since reconnected the battery to reset the light.. Wanted to see if it would come back on but I've got nothin. I'll send the files tonight or tomorrow.

[Reeves]

So it came on again today, once again it happened while the engine was fully hot and I was starting it back up. Stopped to get gas, turned it back on and the light was gone. This time it gave me a code though, 1444 - No failures...... If there are no failures then why are you turning on you stupid light!!!

One thing that did happen after I started it up and was on the street, I had about 1/2 - 3/4 throttle on and all of a sudden right before I was about to change gears the car surged power as if I floored it, on it's own O_o.

I'm curious, would this happen if the TPS malfunctioned and signaled that the car was under WOT? My TPS is finicky and it tends to float my RPM's which I believe is from it telling the computer I'm at part throttle when in fact I'm idling, and I'm wondering if it could also be messing with the WOT switch..? If that is the case then that may also explain why my top end feels weak.

Oh and Brody sorry I haven't gotten those files to you yet.. Do you need me to actually upload them from the war chip onto my laptop and send them, or can I just send you back the tune you sent me without actually uploading anything from the war chip? The war chip doesn't actually log or change anything does it?

[jlevie]

That the car to a BMW shop and have it scanned for codes.

[Reeves]

Isn't that just going to give them the same codes that the stomp test gives?

[u3b3rg33k]

code should be 1-4-4-4 if there's no problem.