soon light came on. I seem to recall that one has to reset the light after an oil change, is this correct? If so how do I do it?

My only guess is you forgot to add a liter into the oil canister (where the filter goes)

The sensors may have gotten tripped due to oil starvation once you started the car.

Here is a faq on how to change oil in our cars, I've done it several times with no check engine lights coming on.

http://www.germantechnik.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=72&highlight=oil

Brian

about half. it is running fine, i have a track day on tuesday, don't really have time to take it to bmw. do you know how to reset the light?

Originally posted by iamderek
about half. it is running fine, i have a track day on tuesday, don't really have time to take it to bmw. do you know how to reset the light?

I'm not sure the BMW service reset tool works on the newer BMWs but you could try that. I've also heard you can short certain pins together to do this also but I don't know the specifics on this.

Otherwise the dealer is the only option.

Brian

Originally posted by dallasbboy
I'm not sure the BMW service reset tool works on the newer BMWs but you could try that. I've also heard you can short certain pins together to do this also but I don't know the specifics on this.

Otherwise the dealer is the only option.

Brian

newer cars (newer than 2000) I believe no longer use the BMW diagnostic port in the engine bay. They dumped that and now use the OBD2 interface located in the passenger compartment.

Originally posted by iamderek
about half. it is running fine, i have a track day on tuesday, don't really have time to take it to bmw. do you know how to reset the light?

In the two oil changes I did myself, I also added only about half a liter of oil in the filter container itself and the check engine light never came on.

I have a Sept. 02 build.

There's a lot of things that can trigger the check engine light. The most common of which is the emission sensor thing. I forgot what it's called but that's usually the problem - that is, if your car is relatively new - based on how many board members I've read who had the light came on.

Last time I changed the oil, I forgot to plug in the TPS sensor (I think it's called) before starting the car and this tripped the check engine light. However the light went away itself after 1-2 days.

Stuart has the tool to turn it off, I know your plate is full, but you should really try to get it turned off. 916 381 3144
He will be really busy tomorrow, and probably won't be in until noon, so ask for "Jim" and try to set an appointment for Monday night.
Jay

thats the best DIY i've ever read....

Whats the "1 used oil receptacle tub" though?

There are 2 reset buttons located on the dash, the one on the left side by the fuel guage can access a series of menus.

Hold that button down until test 1 appears on your display. scroll through till you get test 3.8, thats where you can reset service lights.

Originally posted by MPILOT
There are 2 reset buttons located on the dash, the one on the left side by the fuel guage can access a series of menus.

Hold that button down until test 1 appears on your display. scroll through till you get test 3.8, thats where you can reset service lights.

This is the first time I have heard of this option. What are the other menu items available through the dash? Do you have a list?

Originally posted by BAVARIAN323i
thats the best DIY i've ever read....

Whats the "1 used oil receptacle tub" though?

Its a tub where you put the old oil. It has a plug on one end and a large tray on the top where the oil flows down. You place it underneath the car when you pull the oil plug.

Its the big black thing in the tools etc picture.

Glad you enjoyed the DIY, I have lots more in the works.

Brian

Thanks Brian. I was wondering...I have the cupkit, and the ramps I currently have are too steep for my car to drive up on. What is the height of the sitting point on the "low profile" ramps you used. This DIY runs pretty standard for a oil change for my 323 too right?