Check Engine Light Question

[Amarak]

I have looked though the forums, and now need to ask as I have not found an answer, and if this is just a noob question, well, I am sorry.

I have had some intermittent problems with the engine dying, but unable as of yet to find the exact cause. Working off of a list gathered from this forum, but nothing yet.

As for the question; during the time I have spent trying to find the cause, I have been trying to use the CEL to find possible problems. I was wondering about the operation of using the CEL, as mine will start blinking and keep blinking until I tap the brake pedal. I only get the repetitive flashing that shows no codes. This is even if I try to get the codes from pressing the gas pedal 5 times.

Anyone with suggestions, am I missing something obvious? Thanks.

-Shawn <-------

[trent]

it should be flashing in a sequence

[Amarak]

It should be, but as soon as I turn the key to the on position, it just starts flashing on and off, no changes in pattern, also the brake light on the upper display is on, which all goes off as soon as I tap the brake pedal. There are also no LED lights that come on in the service engine area of the dash, if that matters any.

The CEL does come on after about 1K miles when the oil goes a 1/2 quart low, but when I hit the check light up on the center display, the CEL goes off.

[SpeedyWeber]

Looks like a good time to revive this thread.

I'm searching for the answer to the above post, as my car has this same problem. Although mine doesn't consume oil and throw an oil CEL.

A few more details:
Get in, start car, CEL blinks and Brake light led is on. Hit brakes and light and CEL go out. Brake lights work fine if the key is on. Brake lights don't do anything of the key is off, which I find weird because I thought all cars brake lights would light up regardless of ignition position. I never had a car that had to have the ignition on for the brake lights to work.

Is this a normal E30 thing or do I need to start looking at wiring?

[jlevie]

Are you talking about the yellow light in the middle of the cluster or the Check Engine light on the lower left of the cluster. The yellow light in the middle of the cluster will blink if any of the warnings in the Check Panel are lit. And the brake warning in the check panel will illuminate at start until the brake pedal is pressed. So everything you've described sounds normal...

[SpeedyWeber]

Are you talking about the yellow light in the middle of the cluster or the Check Engine light on the lower left of the cluster. The yellow light in the middle of the cluster will blink if any of the warnings in the Check Panel are lit. And the brake warning in the check panel will illuminate at start until the brake pedal is pressed. So everything you've described sounds normal...

Ok, I didn't know there was another check light. Yes its the light in the middle of the cluster. So this is normal on this car? Seems weird but ok.

[lordofthewaters]

The actual "check engine" light is red and on the left side of the cluster. The check light is just to alert you that there is a warning light on on the check panel overhead.