Check Engine light. What EXATCLY does it tell you?

[Erick]

Ok I watched a million times and I usually get 1221 or 11221...... it surely narrowed it down well:

1221 EGO(O2) Sensor 1

Edit: Does an '89 count as an early "i" car? My father's car keeps giving 1111, maybe since they changed things in 89-90 it could be.....

[Mystikal]

No, I think early is '87 and a bit of '88.

So your O2 sensor is shot. I love this system, saves you a bunch of mechanics' fees. :D

[Jand3rson]

Check engine light on an E30 is 99% of the time the O2 sensor. When I first got my car, I took it to the dealer to ask them about it. The head mechanic told me that's what it is.

[Erick]

So your O2 sensor is shot. I love this system, saves you a bunch of mechanics' fees. :D

For real bro..... it's awsome. I'm really amazed with it.

[Hortos]

Hurray now I have something new to show off. Its funny almost the exact same thing was happening in my Cabrio when you floor it in 2nd gear the Check Engine light would come on for a second then go away. After checking the codes I popped the hood because I had a sneaking suspicion something got screwed during my new transmission install... The damn O2 wire was wrapped around my exhaust manifold and was pretty badly burned. It doesn't look like it got through the insulation though but its replacement time.

[windsor318is]

my moms e30 325 shows...... 1221 o2 sensor
mine..... shows 1215------ air mass/volume sensor, although i tink its because i disconnected it when i put a new intake boot on.

[Brian 89 325i]

early 'i' cars and superetas are 1.1
late 'i' cars are 1.3

Hey Adam, you know how 89's are kinda funky, Would mine be M1.1 or M1.3 Its prod Date 10/88. Its got other funky pre 89 type stuff. Also about the O2 sensor, will the check engine light always come on if its bad or will it not come on somtimes?

Brian

[iXer]

my moms e30 325 shows...... 1221 o2 sensor
mine..... shows 1215------ air mass/volume sensor, although i tink its because i disconnected it when i put a new intake boot on.

I may be wrong, but turning the ignition on and leaving it there for .. 30 secs or so, will reset the check engine error code. So when something like the O2 sensor is replaced, you have to do this. Another way of course, is to disconnect the battery.