[.:bHd:.]

I filled up my car last night and when i was driving today I got a Service Engine Soon light. I immediately went to the dealer and talked to my SA and he told me that it might have been because I didn't shut the gas cap properly. We both went to check it and it was sealed and had no room to turn. He then told me that if they ran a diagnostic and it turns out to be that, they are going to charge me $145. I took my car and got out of there. The car drives fine, but the light wont go off. What do you guys think i should do? If i disconnect the battery would it get rid of the light?

[bsamoul]

i'd try disconnecting. $145 is a little ridiculous

[cooldude]

wait a minute isn't the car under warranty.
why the hell should you pay $145

[thegeneral101]

Originally Posted by cooldude

wait a minute isn't the car under warranty.
why the hell should you pay $145

ya thats what I was thinking

[alan93rsa]

My first thought was that this was a poor response on the part of the SA. However, he did advise you that there could be a cost associated with the test.

If you are confident, and it would appear you should be, of the cap being properly closed I'd let them run the diagnostics.

If you both observed the gas cap closed one would have to wonder where this would lead. Who's to say that the sensor didn't pick up a false reading.

Good luck.

[.:bHd:.]

He said the charge was for the diagnostic and since its not the car's fault I'm going to get charged for it. I also have long cranks in the morning and they ran a test for the fuel pump like 2 weeks ago and only got one fault code (according to him it must be consistent for them to change it.) Would the light come on because of the fuel pump?

[wj4]

Originally Posted by .:bHd:.

He said the charge was for the diagnostic and since its not the car's fault I'm going to get charged for it. I also have long cranks in the morning and they ran a test for the fuel pump like 2 weeks ago and only got one fault code (according to him it must be consistent for them to change it.) Would the light come on because of the fuel pump?

Certainly try to take the car to a better and less moronic dealership.

[rocketman]

Disconnecting batteries doesn't change any warning errors.... that is a government mandated feature of the system. The computer will know of all of the previous error codes for quite some time if they haven't been fixed. But I guess if it was your gas cap and you did replace it and the light did not go off then it might work.

I just think you might be dreaming with that sollution.
It should be under warranty for no cost... go back and tell 'em whats up

[galahad05]

Just slightly off-topic here: when your choice is to get a $100+ OBD code reading...consider just buying yourself a $90 OBD II scanner. That's what I did. Great investment.

Pays for itself with one (non)visit to the garage for a reading. And it's a whole lot more convenient than borrowing one.

[shadowcoder]

Originally Posted by .:bHd:.

He said the charge was for the diagnostic and since its not the car's fault I'm going to get charged for it. I also have long cranks in the morning and they ran a test for the fuel pump like 2 weeks ago and only got one fault code (according to him it must be consistent for them to change it.) Would the light come on because of the fuel pump?

If both him and you checked the cap and it was fine, then whose fault is
it other than the car's? Your mother's? While I your dealer for warning
you about the possible cost I am sometimes upset by their answers and
assumption to first always assume it's the operator's fault. In many cases
it is but to assume so always.....

If the light bothers you and you are sure you know how to operate your
hands, then have them diagnose it. If it doesn't bother you, let it be. But
what if it's not a fuel cap problem?

galahad05 what tool did you get that works on the E90?

[galahad05]

All OBD II scanners can read 1996+ BMWs--OBD II is mandated by U.S. Federal Law for all cars sold here. Standard connector, standard electrical/electronic interface. Heck, alot of standard codes.

The one I have is an Innova OBD II scanner. Their 3030 model. It works well.

Their website:
http://www.iequus.com/

[Double White]

Are you talking about Pacific BMW? I took my car in there for noises from the steering wheel and they said if the problem is because of a mod I was going to get charged 145 for the diagnostic and they would not fix it. I hate that dealer.

BTW, I took my car down to Alhambra because of the service engine soon light. The gas cap wasn't tightened all the way and that is what made the light go on. They didn't charge me anything. They just reset the light and I was on my way. I suggest you take it there. On a side note, Alhambras loaners own Pacifc BMWs

[Double White]

Originally Posted by wj4

Certainly try to take the car to a better and less moronic dealership.

I saw you at Pacific BMW last night haha very nice ride bro.

[kd6lor]

Originally Posted by .:bHd:.

He said the charge was for the diagnostic and since its not the car's fault I'm going to get charged for it. I also have long cranks in the morning and they ran a test for the fuel pump like 2 weeks ago and only got one fault code (according to him it must be consistent for them to change it.) Would the light come on because of the fuel pump?

I see you are in SoCal. Who is your dealer?

Paul

[M3 Piotr]

If it was fuel cap, then the error should go off after few cycles. Wait few days and see then. If not, then it could be something else.

[328Vert_Jim]

Or, go by Autozone auto parts store. They will read the OBD-II codes for free. If it indicates massive leak in evaporative system (or something of that ilk), the cap was either off or leaking.

[JayeJaymes]

Originally Posted by 335i Piotr

If it was fuel cap, then the error should go off after few cycles. Wait few days and see then. If not, then it could be something else.

I aggree, just give it some time and it should go away

[shift330]

I did this once on my Infiniti. I called the dealer and they told me to check the cap. It was loose and caused my SES warning. It took about 25-30 start ups for the light to clear it's self. They told me that's what it would take so I just sat in the parking lot turning it on and off for a while and it eventually cleared on it's own.

[Blue328xi]

Anyone think its dumb that a gas cap warning will trigger a "Check Engine Light". I had this happen and when I saw the Check Engine light I freaked out.

[328Vert_Jim]

Originally Posted by Blue328xi

Anyone think its dumb that a gas cap warning will trigger a "Check Engine Light". I had this happen and when I saw the Check Engine light I freaked out.

Actually, I think that it is quite intelligent.

One of the emissions control items that OBD-II is designed to monitor is the evaporative emissions control items. A loose or missing gas cap mimics the effects of a leak in the evaporative control system such as a broken hose or defective charcoal canister. Just FYI, OBD-II is designed to detect a leak with an effective size of 0.040 inch diameter or greater.

Anyone think it's dumb to leave your gas cap off?

[shift330]

Originally Posted by 328Vert_Jim

Anyone think it's dumb to leave your gas cap off?

But what a relief it is when that's the only problem! The only time that happened to me I was on a trip from Yuma, AZ to Biloxi, MS and I was in the middle of nowhere West Texas. Pulled up the nav screen on the screen of my G35 and the nearest dealership was 400+ miles. I called and they told me about the cap... right?

[g9sBMW]

The light came on for me a few week back. I took out my K&N filter and put back OEM before taking it to dealer.

Next day the light went off. I kept the OEM in there for another full tank of gas before putting the K&N back on.