Occasional EML light

[Mad2718]

Hi can anyone please offer some advice, I drive a 1999 2.0 z3 auto. While driving along occasionally the EML light will come on the Rev counter needle drops to zero and the water temp gauge goes right over to the red after a few seconds the light goes out and the Rev counter and temp gauge return to normal. I have recently replaced had the o2 sensor after the cat on bank1 replaced and the car serviced. I also replaced the air intake pipe as that had split. I have reset the error codes and this keeps happening. When the EML light comes on if the car is pulling off it appears low on power but otherwise has no effect on the driving of the car if it is moving when it comes on. The error keeps referring to the o2 sensor after the car on bank 1. Am not sure if it is using excessive fuel seem to get approx 30mpg

 

[NZ00Z3]

Hi

What exactly are the code numbers and descriptions?

 

[Mad2718]

Hope these help

 

[colb]

Nothing on your last post re codes its setting, as to the rev counter and temp guage this may well be a different fault to the codes you are getting, I would take a look at the rear of the instrument pod and check the multi plug and socket for good connections and check the loom for any chaffing on the metal framework that may be causing a short causing the instruments to fail.

 

[Mad2718]

 

[Mad2718]

Thanks a lot I will have a look when I get chance

 

[colb]

They all seem to be pointing to a communication error with the different sensors and instruments which may well be down to dirty connections on the control modules and instrument pod connections. Have a good look at all of the connection plugs and sockets spray some contact cleaner on them and make sure they are reseated correctly when you plug them back in.

 

[Mad2718]

They all seem to be pointing to a communication error with the different sensors and instruments which may well be down to dirty connections on the control modules and instrument pod connections. Have a good look at all of the connection plugs and sockets spray some contact cleaner on them and make sure they are reseated correctly when you plug them back in.

Thanks I will have a look when I get chance and will update of any progress

 

[Mad2718]

Hi all
Not had chance to check wiring but I have found if I run 97 octane fuel or higher then the above symptoms do not occur. Yet if I try going back onto the cheaper fuel ie 95 octane then they reoccur. So for the time being I am sticking with higher octane fuel like shell vpower

 

[Chrisr1949]

Hi, just a word on fuel consumption. We've got a similar 2.0 auto and we get about the same figures, autos are always more thirsty. Our daily driver is a 2009 E91 3 series auto (N46TU motor) and we get about the same from that.

 

[Mad2718]

Well I have continued to use higher octane fuel and have now done several hundred miles more and no symptoms at all. I have also had a look in the owners handbook that was supplied by BMW when the car was new and it suggests in there that super unleaded fuel (98 octane) is used for the car. So lookalike problem solved.