CEL Light hellllllllllppppppppp

[m3f_MWhip]

Had a question for you guys again. I just finally picked up my 1996 Estroil Blue M3<--------spelling. I drove it all day and tonight. The CEL came on...i'm pisssssssed.......i'm new to the Bimmer world...and there are so many different lil things that are different from this and my old honda's......i was a VTEC Head. but swtiched over now . Help..........some ppl are telling something about it linked to an oil change...like the check engine light comes on if u need to change the oil or something. Much help would be appreciated...I just hope i dind' get a lemon car. I just got her today ....

[m3f_ndehlinger_2176e6913e]

Get a code reader. It's probably nothing, but this tool will tell you for sure. One of the best intitial investments for any BMW owner.

http://www.bavauto.com/se1.asp?dept_id=375 - make sure you get one for OBD II.

[m3f_park828_94ead836d3]

if you are in bay area then i can check it for you...

[m3f_understeer.com]

Any AutoZone will read and reset OBD-2 codes for you for free, just find one locally and stop by.

[m3f_ubersnax]

I don't think I trust autozone touching my M3..

[m3f_understeer.com]

There's an OBD-2 port on the panel under the steering column, they just plug in to it and read out the codes. There's no way they'd be able to hurt your M3, plus you can stand there while they scan your codes in the parking lot, it's not like you have to leave your car with them.

[m3f_MWhip]

ohhh thats right i forgot about the free scan . anyther question ppl...are all the ports on OBDII cars the same port??? Cause i think i have a cousin that has one of those PDA software OBD II programs. If so i can hook it up and use that.. I hope

[m3f_understeer.com]

Yes, the OBD-2 ports ahould all be generic, that's the whole basis for the OBD-2 specification. BMW does use some non-standard codes, but you should be able to get a pretty good idea about what's wrong with the generic OBD-2 codes.