My cars Check Engine light lit up yesterday. I was at my buddy's house and he lives right by an autozone, so I took my car there and they plugged in their OBD reader and nothing came up! It didn't even turn on. Is there something wrong with my OBD port? I'm taking it to a different Autozone today just in case their reader is futzed, and plus it was a kid wwho tried to diagnose it, I wasn't sure if it was just him :)

have to ask: Autozone kid had key in ignition, right?

Yes, he did. Just got back from the other Autozone, and they got the same result (this guy looked like he knew what he was doing). He said that it may just be an oxygen sensor or something since I haven't experianced any engine problems.

hmm thats odd...was it an obdII reader? also did he put the key in position 2? and the CEL light comes on for many reasons..you cant just assume its an oxygen sensor..good luck

Yeah, I looked at the reader and it said OBD II right on it, and he did turn the key to pos 2.

might be worth locating a PEAKE reader to get the codes from the diagnostic port in the engine bay

Next question: Is the CEL still illuminated?

CEL is an 'emissions-related' indicator. Sometimes it will come on, and go out, for no apparent reason. Then too, it will come on and stay on, but usually you will be aware that something is wrong (hard starts, loss of power etc).

If it comes on and starts flashing regularly, it is time to get it in for repair as something is wrong which requires immediate attention.

Mine came on last year, and went away in a day but then came back. I took it in, but since the car was running well (no abnormalities) they had me make an appointment. If it had stayed on or was blinking regularly, they would have seen me immediately for a 'reading'. Turned out to be a cam position sensor. No CEL-related incidents since.

jake

If you want to make sure spend the 70-80 bucks to have it read at a dealer or an indy that has a bmw diagnostic computer.

Last week I had my car checked at autozone but the computer gave me the wrong codes that had nothing to do with the problem at hand.

Okay, thanks guys. Any way I can find an indy with BMW stuff in my area? I hate the dealership...

Okay, thanks guys. Any way I can find an indy with BMW stuff in my area? I hate the dealership...

try looking here: http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/17653
or try this one: http://www.bimmershops.com/