just wondering if anyone has experienced this problem:

over the last 2 weeks, the "service engine soon" light indicator has turned on intermittently. in other words, the light will be on while i'm driving for a couple of days, then off for the next couple of days, and then back on. the car seems to be driving alright, although i've noticed that my mileage hasn't been as good over this time. i want to bring the car into the dealer, but i doubt they'll find anything if the light isn't on at the time i bring the car in.

will this indicator light go on if the brakes need to be changed? or is there a separate brake indicator? any insight is appreciated. thanks.

btw, the car is an '02 530 (CPO) with 57k miles.

There's a separate brake indicator light when the pads wear down.

I'm following this post closely since my service engine light came on for a day and then went off. I still have 4 green bars on the maintenance so I don't think this is normal. (I also have a CPO 02 530.)

According to the owner's manual a "service engine soon" light indicates a fault in the emissions-related electronice systems.

I will be taking it into the dealer soon for some CPO work and at that time, have them pull the codes. I'm pretty sure the error was stored in the car's computer.

The fault code will remain in the DME, whether the ligh is on or not. So a tech can pull the codes to see what caused the SES.

I had the EXACT same problem. I read on another forum that the gas cap, if not properly tightenend or sealed, would cause your "service engine soon" light to come off and on. Sure enough, I tightenend my gas cap and the problem went away. Weeks later, just out of curiosity, I slightly loosened the cap and the "service engine soon" light came back on. Anyway, just thought I'd mention this.

Oh, and by the way, I'm a new member. Great forum!!!!

I had the EXACT same problem. I read on another forum that the gas cap, if not properly tightenend or sealed, would cause your "service engine soon" light to come off and on. Sure enough, I tightenend my gas cap and the problem went away. Weeks later, just out of curiosity, I slightly loosened the cap and the "service engine soon" light came back on. Anyway, just thought I'd mention this.

Oh, and by the way, I'm a new member. Great forum!!!!

164119

I have a similar problem. Check you intake manifold gasket.

Here's my thread:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=591659

I had the EXACT same problem. I read on another forum that the gas cap, if not properly tightenend or sealed, would cause your "service engine soon" light to come off and on. Sure enough, I tightenend my gas cap and the problem went away. Weeks later, just out of curiosity, I slightly loosened the cap and the "service engine soon" light came back on. Anyway, just thought I'd mention this.

Oh, and by the way, I'm a new member. Great forum!!!!

had that happend to my lexus. easy fix if that is the case :)

Go to an AutoZone. They'll read the codes for free and tell you what it is. It could be anything.

Once an "event" happens that triggers the SES, the car needs to do 3 good drives to clear it. A good drive isn't clearly defined, but involves the engine fully warming up and doing a moderate distance. So that's why it goes off, because the "event" has not reoccured.

Anyway, have Autozone pull the codes. They'll do it for free.

First check the codes to narrow the likely cause. Dealer will charge. Or, buy a Peake tool like I did ($140). I had a similar issue. Turned out to be the original MAF that went bad (76,000 miles). Also your pre-cat oxygen sensors could be getting tired. Third possibility, re-flash software on the cats could help. I had the re-flash and 2 new pre-cats installed before solving the service engine light with a new MAF. Check Pelican for better prices than the dealer for the MAF and the oxygen sensors.

WHY are you replying to and digging up a post that was made in September 2006???? I'm sure the original poster has either sold the car or solved the problem by now. :rolleyes