just got 'service engine soon light' - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

beanboy · 14th March 2002, 07:43

This afternoon I noticed that my car sounded weird. I had a friend rev the car while I stood outside it-it sounded very different. It had a 'raspy' sound to it (i actually thought it sounded cool)-like it had an aftermarket exhaust on or something. The car is stock except for Dinan software and UUC shortshifter.
Tonight I looked down and low and behold, the "Service Engine Soon" light was on. Crap. Any ideas on what may have went wrong?

Parker

firstbmw · 14th March 2002, 07:52

This may be way off base but I remember my dealer telling me to always be sure to get the gas cap on right. If it was put on wrong I would get a "service engine" light. I don't remember him saying anything about the engine sounding different though.......somebody else will probably have a better idea. Good luck

tfung · 14th March 2002, 07:53

do a search on the messageboard.. there could be a hundred different reasons why the SES light came on.... but you should see if it's still on tomorrow... you can bring it to your BMW service department and they will be able to tell you what triggered it....

BostonRocket · 14th March 2002, 07:57

Outside of the SES issue, our beasts tend to have a very raspy note and less bassy when the car is first started (not warm).

But I would first read the archives, and then maybe bring it to the dealership.

Just to let you know, my light has been on for weeks, nothing wrong with the beast though.

'Rocket

Angel · 14th March 2002, 19:43

Most of the time it's because of bad or low fuel (or so my dealer said).

Caribbean-M5 · 21st March 2002, 05:30

I had similar symptoms, they were intermittent for a while. It turned out to be an exhaust camshaft position sensor.

TCM · 21st March 2002, 05:34

Wow, look at all the different causes that have been listed. I guess this is a sign of the times as there are so many electronics on these cars that a lot of stuff could cause the ses light to come on. I originally thought bad cats. If the honey comb melted then that would produce a rattle(maybe rasp) in the exhaust tone. It may also cause hesitation when accelerating. Have the dealer check it out and keep us informed as to what was the culprit (sp).

beanboy · 21st March 2002, 06:05

The light has gone off-I have no idea why-I have not messed with my gas cap at all (it is on correctly). Kind of hard to take all these warnings seriously (tire pressure sensors, SES light, etc), with so many false alarms.

Parker