ok, so I just got my 2003 325ci, and the Service Engine Soon light
comes on....browsing back through old threads, I see a commom culprit
is a loose gas cap. Someone had mentioned that you must hear 2 clicks
before the gas cap is completely sealed and tight and wait a few days
for the light to go away...

when I turn my gas cap to tighten it, I hear one click, however the
cap rotates back a little and I hear the click again, as if it undid
itself.....worn out gas cap or am I not tightening the thing the right
way? I think the gas cap is not worn out considering after I open it
up, i can hear the pressure release inside the gas tank...it doesnt
seem to lock in place after clicking...

thanks.

-phil

<sportrider90 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

just the cheapest and easiest to fix.
Another reason is a bad O2 sensor. Those things get hot.
But you need to get the codes downloaded and interpreted. Just because
those two are the most common causes does not make either of them the reason
for your problem.

Also, these codes are really emission control issues. Many a time the car
will run fine (but don't let that fact keep you from fixing the problem).

Jim

Go to AutoZone, they will give you a readout and
give you a few remedies. I was getting a code for a
faulty O2 sensor. One of their remedies was check
connector, Bingo!!! Reconnected front sensor lead
and within a couple of startups the light went out.
Good luck,
Joe



<sportrider90 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

On Mar 28, 7:14 pm, "Joe C" <no-more-s... (AT) no-spam (DOT) com> wrote:

took it to a mechanic who did a computer readout of the
code....computer says its a thermostat problem. Thermostat seems to
level off at the halfway mark on the dash console.

however after doing to computer scan, the light is not on
anymore...the mechanic says he didnt clear the codes (?) and that it
will come back on after a few starts..

I have a 30 day warranty on the vechicle so I plan to have the
dealership check out the problem as well and if their readout is the
same, for them to replace the thermostat. The car only has 53,500
miles on it so am surprised the thermostat would be the problem with
so low miles.

I had my thermostat replaced on my 2002 325CI at around
30,000 miles!

Joe

On Sun, 01 Apr 2007 18:39:36 GMT, "Joe C" <no-more-spam (AT) no-spam (DOT) com> wrote:


30 day warranty? 12 months at least if insurance backed or 3 months if dealer
backed.

What type of dealer did you buy this from? Shady back street Joe?

On Apr 1, 4:52 pm, O... (AT) nowhere (DOT) com wrote:
it was a used car lot from a Ford dealership.....they only gave a 30
day or 1000 mile warranty....it has 53,500 miles so hence why they
didnt want to give a longer warranty....the engine and drivetrain are
in excellent condition so Im assuming the thermostat is just a quirky
part that needs to get replaced ...

Thermostats on E46 are prone to failure because of the weak plastic housing
that hold the thermostat in place. It'll fail when the plastic breaks. I
just got mine replaced recently, the two plastic hooks broke and the
thermostat kept open, keeping the engine overcooled.

Ask the dealer to have a look at the suspension parts as well.


On 4/1/07 11:26 PM, in article
1175466399.908233.194040 (AT) o5g200...oglegroups.com,
"sportrider90 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com" <sportrider90 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote:

On 1 Apr 2007 15:26:39 -0700, sportrider90 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com wrote:


You must be joking! You have been ripped off but then again you are in the USA.
53K miles - it isn't even run-in yet? Most BMW engines go on for 200K miles and
the chassis only start to need real attention after about 10 years.

This must be a real heap of rubbish or the FORD dealer is frightened about the
urban myth the BMW cost a lot to fix.

Oscar (AT) nowhere (DOT) com wrote:
Or perhaps you just don't have a clue about how used cars are sold in
the US?

The only place that is likely to provide a warranty (any longer than 30,
60 or 90 days required by local laws) on a used BMW would be a BMW new
car dealership, and then only on those cars that it "certifies" for the
Certified Pre-Owned program. The dealership then collects an additional
amount during the sale to cover the expenses of what in reality is an
extended warranty insurance program.

Executive summary: You don't get any real warranty on used cars in the
US unless it is still covered by the original factory one or you buy one.

--
-Fred W