Service Engine Soon light going on and off.

My Service Engine Soon light comes on and goes off with regularity.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Sometimes a code will set under certain criteria and while your driving the criteria goes away and the computer recognizes it and it turns the light off, this is normal operation, but that the light comes on it should save a history code and take a snapshot of the data in what we call freeze frame data, have a certified mechanic inspect the codes with code scanner, its probably going to be a intermittent problem.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

BMW Check Engine Light Flashing

Distinctive acknowledged reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty emissions control part, dirty mass airflow sensor, damaged oxygen sensor, faulty head gasket, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, or defective spark plugs to name a few.

The “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” light indicates there may be a repair or replacement of your engine or transmission. It means there is more than a routine repair or service requirement, and instead, a system failure to the fuel, transmission, ignition, or emissions.
Regular Scheduled Maintenance: Your BMW is automatically set to have its scheduled maintenance times programmed into its computer. The service engine soon light indicates it is time for your car`s scheduled checkups.
The “Service Engine Soon” (SES) notification signifies that scheduled maintenance is required. The SES light will illuminate based on elapsed time as well as the car`s mileage and operating conditions versus a predetermined maintenance schedule. The SES light might also illuminate if engine oil is low.
Your check engine light will never appear without a cause—but fixing the issue might be as simple as checking the gas cap or replacing your oxygen sensor. With that said, if your check engine light has simply turned off by itself, you can expect it to return before too long.
A steady glow typically means something less serious but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle`s engine is in serious trouble and service is needed immediately. If your check engine light is flashing in your BMW, we highly recommend not to drive the vehicle and schedule BMW service today.
The reasons for a check engine light turning on can range from something minor like a loose gas cap to something more serious like a faulty catalytic converter. It could even be a sign of internal engine failure. Ignoring the problem can turn a potentially quick fix into a costly and time-consuming repair.
The service engine soon light is a sign that there is a problem with your car engine which needs immediate attention. Otherwise known as `check engine light,` this signal can also mean that you must stop driving immediately.
Locate the small odometer button near the bottom left corner of the instrument panel. Press and hold it until the service message appears. Release the button, and press and hold it again until the message says “Reset?”.
The yellow oil warning light comes on when either the oil temperature gets too high, or the oil level or pressure is too low. If the oil is not lubricating the engine effectively, it could lead to expensive or even irreparable engine damage, so it`s important to act quickly.
If the check engine light in your 2022 BMW 330i starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention swiftly and your BMW should be brought in expeditiously. This blinking light usually signifies a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system.
You may notice difficulty accelerating, rough idling, hard starts, or misfiring, which will trigger the service engine soon light to come on.
Since most BMW models use a Condition-Based Servicing system, your check engine light should reset itself automatically if and when the offending issue has been resolved.
To make sure the check engine light does not reappear, it`s recommended that you drive your car 30 to 100 miles. This enables the vehicle`s “Drive Cycle” to reset, as the various sensors need time to recalibrate.
In some cars, a yellow check engine light means there is a problem that needs to be investigated and a red or flashing light means there is a serious problem and you need to stop right away. Your gauges will help you to determine problems like overheating and low oil pressure.
Low Oil and Check Engine Light

However, low oil pressure, which can be caused by low oil levels, can be a reason for the check engine light to turn on. Low oil pressure can seriously interfere with your car`s performance and disable your vehicle if not addressed immediately.

It is possible that your automobile`s check engine light has come on because of a false alarm. This being said, if the engine control module (ECM) turned on the check engine light for no reason, the ECM could be malfunctioning itself. This crucial part is the heart of your automobile.
Don`t Panic When Your Check Engine Light Comes On!

So next time your check engine light comes on, don`t panic. The check engine light means something, but it could be nothing at all, or one of these simple issues. However, you shouldn`t just start replacing parts without diagnosing your issue.

Average engine lifespan

For some time, the average lifespan of a car`s engine was eight years, or 150,000 miles. New designs, better technology and improved service standards in recent years have increased this average life expectancy to about 200,000 miles, or about 10 years.

That having been said, you can probably drive safely with the service engine soon light on, as long as it is on solid and not flashing. If the service engine light is flashing, you should pull over immediately and call for roadside service and have the vehicle towed to the mechanic.
There is no set time limit, as the severity of the problem can vary. However, it is generally not advisable to drive for more than a few miles with a flashing check engine light. If possible, have the vehicle towed to a repair facility rather than driving it so that you do not put yourself or others at risk.
There is no set time limit, as the severity of the problem can vary. However, it is generally not advisable to drive for more than a few miles with a flashing check engine light. If possible, have the vehicle towed to a repair facility rather than driving it so that you do not put yourself or others at risk.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

While driving on freeway truck goes into a limp mode, and the check engine light, abs light, parking break light, service brake
ANSWER : It is possible that you could be having an issue with your powertrain control module. This is somewhat of a common problem on many GM vehicles. I would recommend having your vehicle inspected by the dealership to determine if the powertrain control module is functioning properly. If not, a reflash of the powertrain control module may resolve the issue but often times it must be replaced.

Check engine light refuses to go off after engine replaced
ANSWER : Hello there, you have a long series of issues going on with your 2013 Hyundai Sonata. If you keep getting a repeating oil light on than there is likely a fault in that system.

Since this fault has lasted after the engine was replaced it could be a oil pressure sensor, wiring harness fault, ECU fault, oil pump, oil strainer clogged, or low oil pressure.

To diagnose this issue properly you need a complete vehicle inspection to start from square one and identify the root cause of all this.

Battery light goes on when I start car then turns off, if I rev engine light comes back until rpms go down. Abs goes comes on/off
ANSWER : Batteries can die due to faults in the charging system so ideally a suspected "faulty" battery should be load tested before a decision is made to condemn it. The only exception to this rule is if the battery is already clearly "old" (greater than 5 years) but even then once you put a new battery in, as a replacement for a "dead" battery, you have to comprehensively check out the charging system. Diagnostic Trouble Code P0460 will result in disruption of the dashboard fuel gauge’s ability to accurately report your tank’s fuel levels. The fuel gauge readings may be erratic, or read somewhere off scale. Vehicles equipped with a low fuel warning light feature may also suffer from erratic low fuel warnings in the event of a code P0460. Unless the P0460 code has been reported alongside other trouble code, all of the vehicle’s essential systems should otherwise function normally. I would recommend that you request a check engine light diagnostic to first resolve the fault causing the P0460 code to set. The check gas cap light warning light could be due a faulty gas cap and/or small leaks in the EVAP system.

2012 equinox reduced power light engine light and traction light came on. Lost a lot of power got home and all light except engine
ANSWER : Your car has what is called a "safe mode" that will be engaged by the computer when it detects that something critical has gone wrong related to any of the major components in your engine chassis or power train. This may be related to a number of things, most of which should have been registered in the computer when the check engine light came on. I recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to inspect your check engine light and diagnose any codes registered by your vehicle’s computer.

Abs light, emergency brake light, steering wheel assist light, engine light, EPC light, traction control light
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle does utilize a lot of the same sensors for these systems. Are there any other codes that are coming up when this code appears? If so you will want to take these into consideration when processing the repair and making a diagnosis. The module may be bad, and replacing it should fix the problem. The lights should turn off once the main computer recognizes the new module and the sensors sync up. If you believe the sensors need to be cleaned you may do so. Do as minimal as possible to make sure you are not damaging the sensor or disrupting the wiring inside. A bad connection would make the lights stay on. With so many lights that are effected by the module being illuminated, the module is likely bad or does not have a connection. Check the connection first and then resort to replacing the unit. For more help with these electrical tests, contact our service department.

The car’s service engine soon light is on and the car shuts down going up hill.
ANSWER : Hi there:

If your steering wheel locked up on you while driving, this could be a serious safety issue that should be inspected by a professional mobile mechanic as soon as possible. Sometimes service lights illuminated while driving are a minor electrical glitch, however, it’s possible that you have an electrical fault underneath the dashboard or other issue that is causing this inconsistent service light issue. Regardless, because you indicated the steering wheel locked up on you, this is something you should have inspected ASAP before it happens again.

SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON
ANSWER : Your service engine light is programmed to come on at specific mileage intervals based upon recommend services. You do have a window of time when this light comes on in that you can continue to drive it for a short period of time without damaging anything. I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to service your vehicle.

ABS light on, ESP light on,Traction OFF light on, engine light on, rides perfectly OBDI reads only Front Right Wheel Speed Sensor
ANSWER : If a faulty component is still in place, the fault codes will return almost immediately after clearing them. ABS, ESP, and traction control systems all rely on input from wheel speed sensors to determine as the name implies, the speed of each wheel. When a wheel, or wheels are spinning faster than others due to wheel slip or the vehicle is sliding, the ABS and ESP systems can reduce throttle input as well as apply braking to an individual wheel or all of them if needed. With a wheel speed sensor fault code stored, these systems cannot determine the rate that all 4 wheels are spinning and sets a fault. That is why the abs/esp light is on. The system should be scanned by a certified technician and the wheel speed sensor replaced if found to be the cause. The warning lights will stay on and these systems will not function as designed until the fault is corrected. These lights do not come on to indicate a need for routine service. Rather they only come on when a component in the system is at fault.