Questions and Answers
BMW Check Engine Light
Q. Vince, I have a 1987 BMW 325i. It has an automatic transmission. I think that's the relevant stuff. My problem is that when the car is in park, the engine idles up and down. It will rev high for about one second and then run normal for about two seconds.
It does this continuously and never stops, unless I am in drive with the brake pedal depressed. Then it just loads the engine down I guess and it idles at a normal rate. I don't know if this is associated with the problem but the check engine light stays on. When the key is in the on position, the Check Engine light flashes off and on continuously. Not 1-4 times as I read about in the Codes.
I want to guess fuel problem. It seemed to start when I developed a fuel leak at the engine but I replaced the fuel hose (it was all rotted) but I still have the problem. Please help.
Thanks,
JRA. Critical emission control relevant faults, which do not impair handling of the car, are displayed in the instrument cluster by the "Check Engine" control lamp coming on and staying on continuously.
Four different faults will be detected while driving or operating the car. They can be read out with the help of a flashing code prior to starting the engine with the ignition key in "ignition on" position.
The fault lamp will then be switched off and on in accordance with the fault number. For example: It will be off for the first three seconds after the ignition is turned on then blink on for one second, off for one second, on for one second then off for three seconds to indicate a Code 2. It will keep on doing this with a three second break between stoping and starting.
- Code 1 = Faulty air flow sensor.
- Code 2 = Faulty oxygen sensor.
- Code 3 = Faulty engine temperature sensor.
- Code 4 = Faulty idle speed switch.
A fault is canceled in the memory after repairing automatically after the engine has bean started five or at the most ten times.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
