This light on ignition?

Rhino. · 03-24-2015, 04:03 PM

Hiya guys,

When I insert the key and turn the ignition on prior to starting the actual engine, the following lights stay on the dashboard:

The engine light is a bit of a worry, but when I turn the engine on, all lights go off and never does that engine light appear again. What is this?

Thanks in advance folks

prime300 · 03-24-2015, 04:44 PM

Malfunction indicator light or if you prefer check engine, might want to go to a garage to scan your car...there's not really a hurry...until it's flashing

Rhino. · 03-24-2015, 08:43 PM

I think I may take it to BMW :/

prime300 · 03-25-2015, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhino.

I think I may take it to BMW :/

As you want...just to let you know that sometimes it can be your fuel cap that is not tighten correctly or putting gas in your car while the engine running, but it is always safer to go for a scan and and know exactly the cause

jon_335 · 03-25-2015, 09:49 PM

That's normal. As long as the check engine light isn't lit while the engine is running, I wouldn't worry. But if you do want to worry, read the codes (which I don't think there will be any) with an OBDII scanner.

mweisdorfer · 03-26-2015, 07:19 AM

Typically speaking that light means you have a sensor out. Ex- O2 sensor, Vanos.

You can clean the Vanos out and there is a good chance they will work again.

O2 sensors need to be or should be replaced in pairs. You have 4 of them.

Rhino. · 03-29-2015, 05:54 PM

Thanks guys I will check this out

VTECaddict · 04-02-2015, 02:36 AM

It means check the engine because the engine isn't running. Pretty much all cars light up the check engine light if you just turn ignition to ON and do not start it. You will also see it if you stall the engine in a manual car.

If the light is on WHILE the engine is running, then that means there is a problem.

L555BAT · 05-28-2015, 03:30 PM

Rhino. , or anyone, did you get anywhere with this?

My 2006 330i just started doing exactly the same, after I stopped for a break in a long motorway journey then turned the ignition on. It never used to come on, but now it's always on when the ignition is on, and goes off when I start it. Car runs perfectly fine.

Manual says it's "Engine fault with adverse effect on exhaust emissions".

Is there any meaning to it being on only when the engine is off? e.g. there was a brief problem which is being memorised, or there's a less serious issue. I've never seen it while the engine was on.

jon_335 · 05-28-2015, 07:22 PM

When the ignition is on and the engine is not running, the light is on. That's the normal condition.

Efthreeoh · 05-28-2015, 10:18 PM

The gauge cluster does a self check to make sure the indicator lights are working properly. This is a normal condition. Worry when lights come on when the engine is running or the car is in motion...

L555BAT · 05-29-2015, 01:40 PM

Thanks both of you.

jon_335 That sounds normal. But I'm very confused about why I didn't notice this before. Maybe because I almost never turn on the ignition stage before starting the car.

Efthreeoh Yes, many lights come on for self check but this one stays on. Must have never noticed because what I said in above paragraph.

03-24-2015, 04:03 PM	#1
Rhino. Private 12 Rep 85 Posts Drives: BMW E90 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Blackpool iTrader: (0)	This light on ignition? Hiya guys, When I insert the key and turn the ignition on prior to starting the actual engine, the following lights stay on the dashboard: The engine light is a bit of a worry, but when I turn the engine on, all lights go off and never does that engine light appear again. What is this? Thanks in advance folks
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03-24-2015, 04:44 PM	#2
prime300 Paul C 88 Rep 162 Posts Drives: E90 N55 M Sport Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	Malfunction indicator light or if you prefer check engine, might want to go to a garage to scan your car...there's not really a hurry...until it's flashing
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03-24-2015, 08:43 PM	#3
Rhino. Private 12 Rep 85 Posts Drives: BMW E90 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Blackpool iTrader: (0)	I think I may take it to BMW :/
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03-25-2015, 09:49 PM	#5
jon_335 Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 276 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (1)	That's normal. As long as the check engine light isn't lit while the engine is running, I wouldn't worry. But if you do want to worry, read the codes (which I don't think there will be any) with an OBDII scanner. __________________ 2007 BMW 335i \| Garner, North Carolina Last edited by jon_335; 03-26-2015 at 08:19 PM..
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03-26-2015, 07:19 AM	#6
mweisdorfer Major General 1937 Rep 6,965 Posts Drives: 2007 Black/Black 335i e90 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Holly, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E90 335i [0.00] 2008 bmw x5 [0.00]	Typically speaking that light means you have a sensor out. Ex- O2 sensor, Vanos. You can clean the Vanos out and there is a good chance they will work again. O2 sensors need to be or should be replaced in pairs. You have 4 of them.
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03-29-2015, 05:54 PM	#7
Rhino. Private 12 Rep 85 Posts Drives: BMW E90 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Blackpool iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys I will check this out
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04-02-2015, 02:36 AM	#8
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 487 Rep 6,066 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	It means check the engine because the engine isn't running. Pretty much all cars light up the check engine light if you just turn ignition to ON and do not start it. You will also see it if you stall the engine in a manual car. If the light is on WHILE the engine is running, then that means there is a problem. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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05-28-2015, 03:30 PM	#9
L555BAT Enlisted Member 14 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Rhino. , or anyone, did you get anywhere with this? My 2006 330i just started doing exactly the same, after I stopped for a break in a long motorway journey then turned the ignition on. It never used to come on, but now it's always on when the ignition is on, and goes off when I start it. Car runs perfectly fine. Manual says it's "Engine fault with adverse effect on exhaust emissions". Is there any meaning to it being on only when the engine is off? e.g. there was a brief problem which is being memorised, or there's a less serious issue. I've never seen it while the engine was on.
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05-28-2015, 07:22 PM	#10
jon_335 Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 276 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (1)	When the ignition is on and the engine is not running, the light is on. That's the normal condition. __________________ 2007 BMW 335i \| Garner, North Carolina
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05-28-2015, 10:18 PM	#11
Efthreeoh General 19186 Rep 19,719 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	The gauge cluster does a self check to make sure the indicator lights are working properly. This is a normal condition. Worry when lights come on when the engine is running or the car is in motion... __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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05-29-2015, 01:40 PM	#12
L555BAT Enlisted Member 14 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Thanks both of you. jon_335 That sounds normal. But I'm very confused about why I didn't notice this before. Maybe because I almost never turn on the ignition stage before starting the car. Efthreeoh Yes, many lights come on for self check but this one stays on. Must have never noticed because what I said in above paragraph. Last edited by L555BAT; 05-29-2015 at 01:43 PM.. Reason: mentioned some photos on google which were actually cropped
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