check engine light

[Rick]

My check engine light came on this morning, and has stayed on.
The manual says it is emissions related...
Anyone have any thoughts?
Just curious, but we did have about 4 inches of snow in Chicago yesterday and it is very cold, could this have anything to do with it?

Thanks,
Rick
'97 318ti automatic
75k

[SDJ]

I just had a similar issue. My Check Engine light came on and wouldn't go off. The dealer machanic said it was a a couple random misfires but all was fine when tested. I was told it was probably due to cold weather starts. Whereby the fuel doesn't burn fully.

[Budget M3]

Cold weather (especially when combined with poor quality gas) will light the CEL. Some metro areas use oxygenated gas in the winter to keep emissions down which makes a CEL more likely, too...

[318tibimmer]

I live in colorado, and it is cold here all the time. I only put 91 in my car, but that is also because I have Nitrous. But I think that it is just a good Idea to put better gas in you Ti - Try it maybe it will help

[Rick]

thanks for the help, whatever was causing it has stopped...

Rick
'97 318ti automatic
Chicago

[J!m]

I agree with 318ti... I have always used 'super' fuel, and never a check engine light or other fuel related problem with my 1.9 since driving it off the lot.

Or the 3.2 for that matter, but she is fed Sunoco 94 [I spoil her, I know, but she is so much fun!!] :D

[robcarync]

my CEL has come on a few times this winter...i was thinking it was probaly because of the cold...20 degree weather or so. it didnt stay on though, it comes on for like a second...the longest it has stayed on for was like 3 minuites.

i have noticed that every time it comes on...if i take my foot off the gas and let it coast for about a second...it always turns off when i release the gas...

the car still drives the same as when i first got it...just a little sluggish from the cold...it is its first winter its been driven because the prvious owner garaged it.

does that sound like problems just from the cold?