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Car Forum / BMW Cars / May 2007

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97 328i Check Engine Light

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jmacdad@yahoo.com - 29 Apr 2007 00:15 GMT
I have been having intermittent problems with my check engine light and I am
coming up to NYState inspection with the light currently on.  I have had it
diagnosed in the past as an evap leak and have had the smoke test done to
the car only to find no leaks.  The dealership tells me it can be many
things but it can get costly troubleshooting the evap leak error.  The car
runs great and have never had any engine problems.  The light goes off after
a few months and all is well till the next time it comes on (which is now).
I do not want to spend a lot of money trouble shooting this and I need the
light off asap so I can get the car inspected.  Any help would be
appreciated!
Jeff Strickland - 29 Apr 2007 10:12 GMT
An Autozone store in your area will give you the current diagnostic codes
for free. For what the dealer charges to pull codes, you can buy the tool.

There is nothing you can do today without knowing what the code is.

Most Evap Leak Errors are rooted in not securely tightening the gas cap.

>I have been having intermittent problems with my check engine light and I
>am
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> light off asap so I can get the car inspected.  Any help would be
> appreciated!
jmacdad@yahoo.com - 07 May 2007 01:07 GMT
I know the code from past checks since this has been and off and on again
problem for over 3 years.  The code indicates large evap leak.  There is no
leak since the dealership did all kinds of test on it last year and found
nothing. I just drove the car a few cycles and the light went off and it
passed inspection.  The light has been on for some time and I changed the
gas cap only to still have the damn thing still on. I just want to pass
inspection without having to pay and arm and leg to trouble shoot something
to pass an inspection.
Jeff Strickland - 07 May 2007 01:42 GMT
Your car has OBD II, you can pull codes with an off-the-shelf code reader
that Autozone will allow you to use for free, or they will use it free for
you. Either way, you must know the code that caused the light to come on
before you can do anything else, even if "anything else" includes ignoring
the light in the hope it goes off by itself.

>I know the code from past checks since this has been and off and on again
> problem for over 3 years.  The code indicates large evap leak.  There is
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> something
> to pass an inspection.
jmacdad@yahoo.com - 26 May 2007 18:13 GMT
Ok I went to advance auto and they checked the computer and told me that the
code is P0455 and P1250 which is evap emission control system leak large and
emission control fuel air metering.  The guy which did the test told me that
it could be a vacuum hose which would throw the entire system off.  He asked
me if I had the hose replaced or tightened and I told him I have not.  He
indicated that I might want to start my trouble shooting by replacing the
hose.

Is that a good start for the error codes or should I be looking into
something else?
Bill - 26 May 2007 19:16 GMT
> Ok I went to advance auto and they checked the computer and told me that the
> code is P0455 and P1250 which is evap emission control system leak large and
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Is that a good start for the error codes or should I be looking into
> something else?
-----

Sounds like a hose cracked or the crimp clamps (SUCK!) have come loose. I'd
start with www.realoem.com and look at the Evap System diagrams for your
model. The codes will be a guide. If you find any clamps that move, replace
them with screw clamps. Also check the gas cap seal, just in case.

Bill in Omaha
'86 535i
(and the wife's '98 528i)
 
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