Check Engine Light Questions

[JunpoweR]

So today I bought a 1996 318Ti M sport Automatic 119k miles.

CHECK ENGINE light is on.

How Do I check the Engine Codes and what are the normal things for me to look for on a car of this mileage?

Do I need a special Module to plug into the car or can I trip some on board diagnostics?

[Recon427]

Go to Advance Auto Parts and have them use their scanner to read out the Check Engine Light. They can clear it for you as well.

119k miles.....

Does this car have a good service history? Inspection II should have been done at 100k.

The two plastic cooling parts [one on side of engine block and another at the back..... search "Cooling System Rebuild" and it should come up] are prone to fail at this stage. Replace the Water Pump as well if you do this task. Thermostat seems to become an issue either now or later on as well.

Check the two belts, air intake hoses, air filter, and oil change.

Furthermore, the fuel filter should have been replaced at 100k [in Inspection II] so that is something to consider.

I can think of more items but I don't want to bore you here...

[JunpoweR]

Originally Posted by Recon427

Go to Advance Auto Parts and have them use their scanner to read out the Check Engine Light. They can clear it for you as well.

119k miles.....

Does this car have a good service history? Inspection II should have been done at 100k.

The two plastic cooling parts [one on side of engine block and another at the back..... search "Cooling System Rebuild" and it should come up] are prone to fail at this stage. Replace the Water Pump as well if you do this task. Thermostat seems to become an issue either now or later on as well.

Check the two belts, air intake hoses, air filter, and oil change.

Furthermore, the fuel filter should have been replaced at 100k [in Inspection II] so that is something to consider.

I can think of more items but I don't want to bore you here...

Tanks Recon, 1 step ahead of ya =)

I been reading up on the maintenance section and I believe the girl had her whole cooling system replaced and serviced.
I got it from the original owner so I have seen this car around for the last 10+ years. Most of the time they always got it fixed when something was weird or funny.
Can you help me locate an advance auto here in Nor cal near 94612.

thanks

[Recon427]

Right, I think we came to the conclusion in the other thread that there isn't an Advance Auto in California. My search pulled up zero.

Check NAPA or AutoZone?

Anyways, do you want the Bentley Repair Manual for this car? Send me your email address via PM and I can email you my pdf copy.

[JunpoweR]

Originally Posted by Recon427

Right, I think we came to the conclusion in the other thread that there isn't an Advance Auto in California. My search pulled up zero.

Check NAPA or AutoZone?

Anyways, do you want the Bentley Repair Manual for this car? Send me your email address via PM and I can email you my pdf copy.

Thank You very much PM sent