Diagnosis dilemmas

[Davardo]

Hi I’m Davardo. I have a 1.9 1999 Z3 I bought about two and a half years ago. I bought as a project and since then I’ve had a fair amount of work done to bring it up to scratch. I’m still having an issue with engine management alerts despite changing all the fuel injection system. Fixing a broken manifold stud and going through a mountain of diagnostics. My mechanic now says it’s most likely down to the cat which I’m going to replace. However, there’s one nagging issue that keeps reoccurring. That is the oil service indicator (yellow) keeps showing up. This despite that I’ve had two oil changes since I purchased the car and there are no oil leaks, all filters changed et. Is it possible that the engine management alert is related to the oil service indicator?. Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

 

[ExMX5owner]

Welcome to the forum Davardo, Do you have a code reader of your own ?..

 

[Shelly]

 

[Davardo]

Welcome to the forum Davardo, Do you have a code reader of your own ?..

No , I’m afraid not. But my mechanic has one. I’m not sure why he hasn’t made this diagnosis so far. Although I have to say in his favour, that the oil service indicator alert disappears after a few seconds of the engine start up. So he may not have noticed. It’s my fault too for not pointing this out before now. But it’s only recently that I’ve given it due consideration. The likelihood is that it’s probably not a significant factor in the engine management alert although I guess it has to be eliminated as a possibility. Thanks for your interest

 

[RB2]

Welcome along. I'd imagine the oil service light is time or distance based from the last time it was reset. It will need reset when the oil service is done. It's a reminder when it's due, not really a fault. You used to be able to get reset tools for this. On the obd1 cars you could jumper a couple of pins if my memory serves. That's certainly how it was with the obd1 e30s, not sure if the 99 z3s m44 had progressed to obd2 yet?

 

[RB2]

BMW Z3 Resetting the Service Indicator by Mike Fishwick

BMW Z3 Resetting the Service Indicator Article reproduced by kind permission of Mike Fishwick The Service Indicator system operates the SI lights, which lose one of five green lights at a time, in response to the amount of fuel used – hard...

zroadster.org

 

[ExMX5owner]

No , I’m afraid not. But my mechanic has one. I’m not sure why he hasn’t made this diagnosis so far. Although I have to say in his favour, that the oil service indicator alert disappears after a few seconds of the engine start up. So he may not have noticed. It’s my fault too for not pointing this out before now. But it’s only recently that I’ve given it due consideration. The likelihood is that it’s probably not a significant factor in the engine management alert although I guess it has to be eliminated as a possibility. Thanks for your interest

Well, A reader is pretty much a mandatory requirement. And the guys here will agree that the amount of grief avoided and money saved on chasing and fixing faults that aren't, will pay for it probably the first time you use it.. The members here can offer plenty of guidance in the use of and interpretation of info gleamed from your reader... I personally use a Foxwell 510NT, but there are cheaper options that offer the functionality you need going forward..

@Jimbob_OD just listed a likely candidate in the for sale section..

 

[Davardo]

Welcome along. I'd imagine the oil service light is time or distance based from the last time it was reset. It will need reset when the oil service is done. It's a reminder when it's due, not really a fault. You used to be able to get reset tools for this. On the obd1 cars you could jumper a couple of pins if my memory serves. That's certainly how it was with the obd1 e30s, not sure if the 99 z3s m44 had progressed to obd2 yet?

Thanks for this. I’ll look into it

Well, A reader is pretty much a mandatory requirement. And the guys here will agree that the amount of grief avoided and money saved on chasing and fixing faults that aren't, will pay for it probably the first time you use it.. The members here can offer plenty of guidance in the use of and interpretation of info gleamed from your reader... I personally use a Foxwell 510NT, but there are cheaper options that offer the functionality you need going forward..

@Jimbob_OD just listed a likely candidate in the for sale section..

thanks to all for the advice and to Jimbob. I’ll definitely check that out

 

[Davardo]

Well, A reader is pretty much a mandatory requirement. And the guys here will agree that the amount of grief avoided and money saved on chasing and fixing faults that aren't, will pay for it probably the first time you use it.. The members here can offer plenty of guidance in the use of and interpretation of info gleamed from your reader... I personally use a Foxwell 510NT, but there are cheaper options that offer the functionality you need going forward..

@Jimbob_OD just listed a likely candidate in the for sale section..

That’s great news. And I’m grateful to all for the support I’m going to speak to my mechanic guy about it. I’m pretty sure he’s got one. But if not, I’ll be looking to get one. BTW is it a one function item? Or can it be used to diagnose a range of flag ups?

 

[ExMX5owner]

That’s great news. And I’m grateful to all for the support I’m going to speak to my mechanic guy about it. I’m pretty sure he’s got one. But if not, I’ll be looking to get one. BTW is it a one function item? Or can it be used to diagnose a range of flag ups?

You should get your own anyway, they are cheap enough, I dont use the creator as I mentioned, but a few
here do and I read good things about them for the price bracket. Multi function of course, will read other codes too.. Not sure if "Ashtray full" is one of em though...

 

[Davardo]

You should get your own anyway, they are cheap enough, I dont use the creator as I mentioned, but a few
here do and I read good things about them for the price bracket. Multi function of course, will read other codes too.. Not sure if "Ashtray full" is one of em though...

haha. No smoking in my Z3 I’m afraid. Not yet anyway . I did check out on eBay et. Average cost for Creator multi is around £52-57. Which seems pretty good for peace of mind. Many thanks for sound advice. Much appreciated

 

[ExMX5owner]

haha. No smoking in my Z3 I’m afraid. Not yet anyway . I did check out on eBay et. Average cost for Creator multi is around £52-57. Which seems pretty good for peace of mind. Many thanks for sound advice. Much appreciated

Bang for buck, they seem like good value, Have a chat with Jimbob...

 

[Davardo]

Bang for buck, they seem like good value, Have a chat with Jimbob...

Ok cheers

 

[Jimbob_OD]

@Davardo PM me mate if you’re interested in the one I’m selling.

 

[Davardo]

@Davardo PM me mate if you’re interested in the one I’m selling.

Thanks Jimbob I will check in with my mechanic to get the gen on the cat and get back to you with a response. Cheers

 

[Davardo]

I’m also thinking there could be an issue with the DISA valve unit. Given the sluggish performance I get. There seems to be an extensive range of options available from cheap as chips after production models to OEM’s that cost various limbs and all points in between. Any advice on this issue would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mint]

Hi Davardo and from me too in Stafford, England.

 

[Davardo]

Hi Davardo and from me too in Stafford, England.

Hi Mint thanks for the welcome. Much appreciated

 

[Bassman]

Hi Davardo, welcome to the fold from Nottinghamshire

 

[Davardo]

Hi Nottingham shire. And thanks for the welcome. Always nice to have