Can an un-reset Service Indicator cause intermittent SES light? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

greg · 15th April 2004, 01:13

I did my service a while back, but I don't have the reset tool.

I then sent the car to the dealer for some warranty repair to things I found when I "inspected", planning to ask them to reset the service indicator for me.

No way, ho-zay. They won't reset it unless they do the service. Rip off.

Ever since, I've been getting an intermittent SES light - on for a few starts, off for a few starts, on again. Been like that for 500 miles. Maybe they screwed something up, maybe they didn't. But if I take it to them to read out the code, and the problem is not covered under the extended warranty (or they won't admit they caused it in the first place if they did), they will rape me for $132 "diagnostic fee" - so I thought I'd start here first.

SO - a) does anyone know "Can an un-reset Service Indicator cause intermittent SES light?" and b) anyone around here have a reset tool?

Update/answer: I reset the service indicator a few days ago. Today I got another SES light.. Guess that answers that, eh

Thanks

TCM · 15th April 2004, 03:15

Greg:

I am willing to bet your assumption is correct as the car would automatically try to notify its owner of the passed deadline. Please keep us updated with what happens. Good luck.

Jim Dolan · 15th April 2004, 03:42

I had inspection I a month or so ago and the dealer reset the lights. About three weeks ago my ses light lit and had gone on and off since then. Seems to cycle every three days or so. most annoying.

It went off once before and the car went to the shop and they replaced a sensor, good for a year or more.

These lights SES are a pain in the butt. I know if I take it in they maynot find the cause or the light will start working again.

What to do!

ELEVENS · 15th April 2004, 04:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg

SO - a) does anyone know "Can an un-reset Service Indicator cause intermittent SES light?" and b) anyone around here have a reset tool?

Hi Greg,

I looked in my Peake Research code table booklet. There's over 200 codes listed for my car, but unless I missed it, I found no codes that relate to the Service Indicator.

jaj · 15th April 2004, 05:37

Greg

Resetting the service indicator is simple - the instructions are on the board somewhere under the heading "obc functions". It's simple to do and will resolve the issue of the SES light (or not if it's something else).

Sit in the car with your door closed and the seat belt fastened. Depress the clutch and hold it down. Now press the left-hand button on the dash display, the one that resets the trip odometer. Hold it down as well.

Put the ignition key in the key slot, and turn it gently (very gently) until the dashboard lights come on - the key will not click - if it clicks you've gone too far and you have to start again. Hold the key in this position.

Keep this position for five seconds or so. The dash display with "switch" and display "SIA 0" and some other characters. At that point, release the dash button (and only the dashboard button) and and then press it again. The display should change to read "RESET?" or something like that. Push the button again to confirm, and your service indicator will now be reset to five green LED's.

I'm doing this from memory so search this board to be sure it's right. I'm sure that the instructions are here somewhere.

Good luck!

JJ

TCM · 15th April 2004, 06:22

JJ:

Thanks for sharing that with us. Great information for members who are out of warranty.

V-10 4 Me · 15th April 2004, 13:33

That sounds great but I think if your out of Free Maintenance, it's just smart to buy the Peak Research tool...

greg · 16th April 2004, 03:43

JJ - You're a genius!

Took me a few tries - BUT THIS WORKS.

You have to insert one step: After you get the "SIA" display, you can't just release and re-press the button - you must release and then PRESS AND HOLD it again. THEN it will start to flash "Reset" - release and press once more (don't need to hold) and VOILA!

Service Indicator reset - we'll see if I get any more SES lights.

Cheers - /Greg

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaj

Greg

Resetting the service indicator is simple - the instructions are on the board somewhere under the heading "obc functions". It's simple to do and will resolve the issue of the SES light (or not if it's something else).

Sit in the car with your door closed and the seat belt fastened. Depress the clutch and hold it down. Now press the left-hand button on the dash display, the one that resets the trip odometer. Hold it down as well.

Put the ignition key in the key slot, and turn it gently (very gently) until the dashboard lights come on - the key will not click - if it clicks you've gone too far and you have to start again. Hold the key in this position.

Keep this position for five seconds or so. The dash display with "switch" and display "SIA 0" and some other characters. At that point, release the dash button (and only the dashboard button) and and then press it again. The display should change to read "RESET?" or something like that. Push the button again to confirm, and your service indicator will now be reset to five green LED's.

I'm doing this from memory so search this board to be sure it's right. I'm sure that the instructions are here somewhere.

Good luck!

JJ

Jim Dolan · 17th April 2004, 19:12

greg,

Having the same SES intermittent light problem. I took the car in for inspection I and the end of January. Miles 25,200. The service lights were not on but it was more convenient for me at that time. After a month or so the SES light came on and a couple starts later went out and has been doing this ever since. My miles today are 27,790. I read the posts about this and am beginning to feel the tech did not reset for the Inspection I or the car did not allow it because of the fuel liters of use had not been reached and so the green lights were reset for Oil Service only.

So I tried the reset procedure you described and couldn't get it to work or even read SEI status. Maybe I'm too close to the last service and no indication is necessary or I just did not do the steps right. On a couple of tries the only thing that happened was the temperature went from F' to C'. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

One question in my mind and it would help in the instructions is at what position or just before what position should you stop turning the key.
Lets say Positions 0 in key off or out, position I the nav monitor comes on and airbag light come on briefly, Position II all the dash lights come. In each of these two positions clicks are heard but which one is the critical one. I think it's before position II clicks.

Anyway has your SES light gone out for good or not let us know. Since I had a dealer serviced Inspection I and coolant flush if I could save the time of going to the dealer without hurting anything I would.

greg · 20th April 2004, 06:47

Well - for those of you hoping for an answer to this question, I can now answer.

Can an un-reset Service Indicator cause intermittent SES light? Apparently not - at least not in my car. My Service Interval lights are reset - and today (about 150 miles later) I got another SES light. Next step - get the codes read.

(See related thread for info on how to reset the light.)