Check Engine light on, what cause?

[Rosica]

My check engine light to come on at idle, what causes the computer to output this? Since e30's have relatively archaic injection systems I would assume out of whack O2 senor readings would be the only thing to cause it, but I want to be sure.

[e30Matt]

Turn the key to the on position, and quickly but rhythmically fully depress and fully release the gas pedal 5 times. On your car you'll have to do this rather quickly, but you'll get the hang of it.

The CEL will flash once, and then start flashing a four digit sequence. There will be fast flashes followed by long breaks. Write this number down and post it here.

EDIT: These are the meanings of the codes. The code is listed to the right of the problem part. A code of 1444 means there are no problems.
DME Control Unit 1211
Air Mass/Volume Sensor 1215
Throttle Potentiometer 1216
Output Stage, Group 1 1218
Output Stage, Group 2 1219
EGO(O2) Sensor 1 1221
EGO(O2) Sensor 2 1212
Lambda Control 1 1222
Lambda Control 2 1213
Coolant Temp. Sensor 1223
Intake Air Temp. Sensor 1224
Knock Sensor 1 1225
Knock Sensor 2 1226
Knock Sensor 3 1227
Knock Sensor 4 1228
Battery Voltage/DME Main Relay 1231
Throttle Idle Switch 1232
Throttle WOT Switch 1233
Speedometer A Signal 1234
A/C Compressor cut off 1237
A/C Compressor 1242
Crankshaft Pulse Sensor 1243
Camshaft Sensor 1244
Intervention AEGS 1245
Ignition Secondary Monitor 1247
Fuel Injector 1 (or group 1) 1251
Fuel Injector 2 (or group 2) 1252
Fuel Injector 3 1253
Fuel Injector 4 1254
Fuel Injector 5 1255
Fuel Injector 6 1256
Fuel Injector 7 1257
Fuel Injector 8 1258
Fuel Pump Relay Control 1261
Idle Speed Actuator 1262
Purge Valve 1263
EGO Heater 1264
Fault Lamp (check engine) 1265
VANOS 1266
Air Pump Relay Control 1267
Ignition Coil 1 1271
Ignition Coil 2 1272
Ignition Coil 3 1273
Ignition Coil 4 1274
Ignition Coil 5 1275
Ignition Coil 6 1276
Ignition Coil 7 1277
Ignition Coil 8 1278
Control Unit Memory Supply 1281
Fault Code Memory 1282
Fuel Injector Output Stage 1283
Knock Control test Pulse 1286

[Court M3]

Does this only applies to cars with Motronic or all of them?

[e30Matt]

Does this only applies to cars with Motronic or all of them?

Motronic only, 84+.

[James Crivellone]

Does this only applies to cars with Motronic or all of them?

Motronic only, 84+.

its actually 87 and up (87 325is/i only)


Motronia/Moronic 1.0 didn't have a CEL

[e30Matt]

Does this only applies to cars with Motronic or all of them?

Motronic only, 84+.

its actually 87 and up (87 325is/i only)


Motronia/Moronic 1.0 didn't have a CEL

Err, yeah. That.

[Kavkazia]

I had same problem, and it was 02 Sensor, is it running little bit rich?

If so, most likely your 02 sensor is out.

[BMWE30]

My 87 325 has a CEL, as does my friends 87e. It only has 4 codes though.

[Rosica]

OK, I got

Lambda Control 1 1222

Is that ICV, ICM, ?????

[Digitalwave]

Lambda is the oxygen sensor.

[Rosica]

Lambda is the oxygen sensor.

.
Are you sure the “Lambda Control 1” error code is the O2 sensor, the light only comes on at idle, and the O2 senor is a senor, not a control.

[skat 325is]

Mines giving me this one

EGO Heater 1264

Someone care to explain ??

[e30Matt]

Lambda is the oxygen sensor.

.
Are you sure the “Lambda Control 1” error code is the O2 sensor, the light only comes on at idle, and the O2 senor is a senor, not a control.

It's the O2 sensor... Lambda control is just an "official" name for it.

[Rosica]

I cleaned the IV put in air filter, new plugs, and O2 sensor and nothing changed.

Now the car stalls on cold starts, if I tap the gas it revs to 2500 rpm. When its warm the idle is very rough and can be erratic. The check engine light comes on at idle and sometimes while driving.

I am going to try cap/rotor/wires and maybe collant temp sensor since its cheap. When I adjust the valves I will take a look at the new plugs I put in to see if they can tell me anything. After that I will break down and get a new ICV, but if that doesnt work i dont know what is wrong, any suggestions?

[Bill 84 318i]

Vacuum leak?