At 5,000 miles my SES light first appeared. The dealer suggested that with the car off, and the key removed, I should remove and reinstall the gas cap. Although the light did go out, it reappeared a few days later. Now, with 7,800 miles on the car, while at the dealer for a new windshield, It’s been diagnosed as a bad “tank vent valve” which needs to be ordered (fault code#232). Anyone had a similar diagnosis?
I had the check gas cap fault light, and it ended up being the pressure release valve on the gas tank. Once they replaced that, my SES light never came on again.
I had the same problem at about 13K miles. SES light came on intermittently. It went off for a while after filling the tank (or opening and re-closing the gas cap), but I could not discern any other pattern for when it would light and when it would not.
The defect was diagnosed in a "breather valve" in the vapor recovery system. The valve was replaced under warranty (but it took 2 days for the dealership to get the part).
FYI, I was told that the car would not pass emissions inspection without the repair. Apparently they hooked the car up to the emissions test equipment to determine that it was a defect in the fuel system. I was told that the mechanic had to then isolate the defect by examining each section of the fuel system.
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Jim 2001 ///M5 Royal Red / Caramel
I had the dreaded "breather valve" issue also. except, i went straight to the dealer, who had it diagnosed and replaced within a half hour!! haven't had an issue since.....
All they have to do is check the fault codes on the computer. it tells them exactly what part is faulty as well as which one (be it left or right, top or bottom etc...)
I was also told that only the US spec models have such delicate monitoring by the emissions-side of the ECU. My SA says that 90% of all of the SES warnings he sees daily, or gets phone calls for daily, would not even be known about if it weren't for the US regulations. I was real concerned when it happened, and he said that the SES light is almost always a minor issue, that usually happens just one time (valve not opening, etc.), and may never happen again--but the light does its job and comes on....and then he has to deal with them as they come in--kind of an unnecessary waste of time with almost always the same result...
Thanks for a great description of your previous problems with the SES light. I am currently experiencing the exact same problem and your information will help tremendously when I take to the dealership.
Guys, the SES light is there, by law, to help reduce emissions. There are a gazillion potential problems that can light the light, but the thing they all have in common is that they are faults which, among other things, can result in increased emissions. Fuel vapor can leak from a few places, the cats can go bad, the computer can't get the mixture and/or timing adjusted (fast) enough to compensate for changes in fuel, air temp, etc. - like I said a gazillion reasons. (OK, maybe that was only for or five, but trust me. GAZILLIONS! )
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Thanks for the help.
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