《Service Engine Soon》

bmwsaxophone · #1 (**permalink**) 05-09-07, 05:20 AM

Hi all !
I have a 98' STS. The "Service Engine Soon" light is on.
Is it a series problem ? How can I disable it ?
I am the new owner of it.... Pls help.

chubbyranger · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-07, 06:26 AM

You need to pull the error codes to determine what is turning the light on. With the key on, press and hold the top part of the 'Info' button and the On/Off button at the same time. Motor does not have to be running. After about 5 seconds the dash will blink. Release the two buttons - press the On/Off button again when it says "All Codes?" Write down what comes up and post it. History codes are less important than current codes.

bmwsaxophone · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-07, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubbyranger

You need to pull the error codes to determine what is turning the light on. With the key on, press and hold the top part of the 'Info' button and the On/Off button at the same time. Motor does not have to be running. After about 5 seconds the dash will blink. Release the two buttons - press the On/Off button again when it says "All Codes?" Write down what comes up and post it. History codes are less important than current codes.

Thanks so much... I will check it out and report here soon.

**Ranger** · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-07, 11:44 PM

Decipher the codes here when you get them.
http://myweb.accessus.net/~090/dtcobd2.html

Krashed989 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-07, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubbyranger

History codes are less important than current codes.

History codes are still important none-the-less as they are a problem that the car has sensed at one point in the last 50 key cycles and they should be looked into just like the current ones.

bmwsaxophone · #6 (**permalink**) 05-10-07, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubbyranger

You need to pull the error codes to determine what is turning the light on. With the key on, press and hold the top part of the 'Info' button and the On/Off button at the same time. Motor does not have to be running. After about 5 seconds the dash will blink. Release the two buttons - press the On/Off button again when it says "All Codes?" Write down what comes up and post it. History codes are less important than current codes.

chubbyranger, thank you very very very much....
I cleared all the codes and the turn the light off already.
Ha.. but the codes show so quick that I cannot write it down.
I will keep an eye on it if they appear again...
Thanks a lot !!!

**Ranger** · #7 (**permalink**) 05-10-07, 05:42 PM

That does not sound right. The codes usually read out very slowly so that you have plenty of time to copy them.

bmwsaxophone · #8 (**permalink**) 05-10-07, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

That does not sound right. The codes usually read out very slowly so that you have plenty of time to copy them.

But it is true... I cannot mark all the codes accurately
Maybe I am to slow....
I will try my best next time.

chubbyranger · #9 (**permalink**) 05-11-07, 06:36 AM

If there's more than 2 or 3 codes I usually have to cycle through at least twice to make sure I got them all written down correctly - especially if you try to note history vs. current. And I agree with Krashed that history codes are important too, my comment in this thread was based on the fact that bmwsax was chasing the SES light, which in my experience is only casued by a current code.

bmwsaxophone · #10 (**permalink**) 05-19-07, 01:03 AM

I have checked the codes again...

RSS C1738 (Exhaust Solenoid Valve Short to GND)
PCM P1189 (Engine Oil Pressure (EOP) Switch Circuit)

Are they serious ? Should I do something ? Please help...

chubbyranger · #11 (**permalink**) 05-19-07, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwsaxophone

I have checked the codes again...

RSS C1738 (Exhaust Solenoid Valve Short to GND)
PCM P1189 (Engine Oil Pressure (EOP) Switch Circuit)

Are they serious ? Should I do something ? Please help...

From the FSM for my 99 (I'm assuming 99 = 98 for this):

P1189 indicates a possible problem with the oil pressure switch wiring. The FSM suggests checking the wiring connections on the oil pressure switch. Start the car and run diagnostics and see if this is current or history. I don't see this one as serious unless it stays current; this code is set when oil pressure is detected when the engine hasn't been cranked so I don't think you're going to blow anything up, but if it stays current you should get it fixed.

C1738 is a problem with the level ride. Does the rear end sag? Do you hear your level ride compressor run? Should be a short buzz from around the right rear wheel within the first minute after you start the car if it has sat long enough for the shocks to leak down (for me usually overnight). According to the FSM it could be not running at all or running too much depending on the type of problem. If it runs too much the CVRSS module will shut off the compressor if there are leaking, disconnected or damaged air lines that cause the compressor to run too long and not make any progress leveling the car.

bmwsaxophone · #12 (**permalink**) 05-20-07, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubbyranger

From the FSM for my 99 (I'm assuming 99 = 98 for this):

P1189 indicates a possible problem with the oil pressure switch wiring. The FSM suggests checking the wiring connections on the oil pressure switch. Start the car and run diagnostics and see if this is current or history. I don't see this one as serious unless it stays current; this code is set when oil pressure is detected when the engine hasn't been cranked so I don't think you're going to blow anything up, but if it stays current you should get it fixed.

C1738 is a problem with the level ride. Does the rear end sag? Do you hear your level ride compressor run? Should be a short buzz from around the right rear wheel within the first minute after you start the car if it has sat long enough for the shocks to leak down (for me usually overnight). According to the FSM it could be not running at all or running too much depending on the type of problem. If it runs too much the CVRSS module will shut off the compressor if there are leaking, disconnected or damaged air lines that cause the compressor to run too long and not make any progress leveling the car.

Sometime while I am driving, I heard a little bit buzz from around the right rear wheel. Is it means that there is any problem at the shock ?
What should I do now ? Is it a must to take it to the dealer ?

chubbyranger · #13 (**permalink**) 05-20-07, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwsaxophone

Sometime while I am driving, I heard a little bit buzz from around the right rear wheel. Is it means that there is any problem at the shock ?
What should I do now ? Is it a must to take it to the dealer ?

The buzz is normal unless it happens often; that is the air compressor filling the rear shocks with air. If it runs often and you haven't changed the load in the car (adding people or stuff in the trunk) there could be a leak in the air lines. If it gets worse, eventually the shocks will not fill and you will get a warning message on the DIC. If your codes are both history codes and you are not getting any warning messages on the DIC I wouldn't rush to the dealer; I don't see this as a problem that's going to cost any more to fix if you wait - but I've gotten

before with those guesses too. If you're losing sleep over it, take it in - if not I'd keep driving.

bmwsaxophone · #14 (**permalink**) 05-20-07, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubbyranger

The buzz is normal unless it happens often; that is the air compressor filling the rear shocks with air. If it runs often and you haven't changed the load in the car (adding people or stuff in the trunk) there could be a leak in the air lines. If it gets worse, eventually the shocks will not fill and you will get a warning message on the DIC. If your codes are both history codes and you are not getting any warning messages on the DIC I wouldn't rush to the dealer; I don't see this as a problem that's going to cost any more to fix if you wait - but I've gotten

before with those guesses too. If you're losing sleep over it, take it in - if not I'd keep driving.

Thanks for your reply... but if the following code is current
any commet ?

RSS C1738 (Exhaust Solenoid Valve Short to GND)

chubbyranger · #15 (**permalink**) 05-20-07, 08:59 AM

Then you possibly have an air leak and the CVRSS is shutting the compressor down on the run time limit. You should have a SERVICE RIDE CONTROL warning on the DIC. If you want to do your own test put the igntion key to 'on', open the trunk and get a wide-a$$ like me to sit facing backwards on the edge of the open trunk. Two scrawny kids will work too. Kneel by the right rear wheel and listen for the compressor. Should sound like a cow with bad gas for up to 5-6 seconds depending on how wide your friend is. If it keeps running longer (like >10 seconds; I think the timeout is ~17) or you hear air hissing somewhere, you have an air leak that I would get fixed. If it pumps up normally I would clear the codes and see if it comes back.