Engine Light came on - now in shop

[Karen]

Had the i3 about a month (love it), commuting to work in the SF Bay Area - engine light comes on. Stop in parking lot to read the owners manual and it advises getting it to a BMW service center and that's what I did - they've had it 2 days. (Other owners can read the manual for details on this indication light) I've never used the gas engine, there was no change in driving sensation, no smell, no sound. Anyone else had this issue? I'll write back when the Service is complete.

After 2 days in the shop - Turns out there was no mechanical problem, BMW re-installed software, good to go.

 

[SSi3]

It's a common well known problem and is still a problem... my 2 day old 2015 i3 has the CEL on.

http://www.mybmwi3.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1091
http://insideevs.com/bmw-i3-rex-plagued-check-engine-light-us/

Tom when is this going to be fixed?

 

[lownoterider]

According to my dealer, a software update in NOVEMBER will alleviate the problem. He suggested electrical tape until then. Real nice.

 

[SSi3]

According to my dealer, a software update in NOVEMBER will alleviate the problem. He suggested electrical tape until then. Real nice.

I want genuine BMW electrical tape!

 

[ted99]

I had the CEL light come on, and then clear the next day. I decided to take the car in to the dealer, with the idea that I could get the reported March software update (REX-related state of charge and revised turn-on for the REX motor). The dealer couldn't find any fault code, but kept looking and consulted with the BMWNA specialists for the i3 ( I think they were referred to as the "PUMA" team). They were advised that sometimes a faulty A/C compressor could throw a check engine light and authorized a change of the A/C compressor. We had wondered if the A/C was up to snuff (it's "almost summer" in Houston--we have 4 seasons: summer, still summer, Christmas, and almost summer) shortly before the CEL. Got the car back after 6 days and the A/C was indeed performing better. Incidentally, the dealer said that since I had had the charger update, I wasn't entitled to another free software update yet. I asked when the next regular service was scheduled and the dealer said it would be next year. Apparently, the service dates are 2 years apart under normal circumstances, counting from the "inception date" when the car was built, not the date I purchased it (called the in-service date). :shock:

 

[MarkN]

Incidentally, the dealer said that since I had had the charger update, I wasn't entitled to another free software update yet. I asked when the next regular service was scheduled and the dealer said it would be next year. Apparently, the service dates are 2 years apart under normal circumstances, counting from the "inception date" when the car was built, not the date I purchased it (called the in-service date). :shock:

Has anyone else been told this by their dealer? I'm going to be very annoyed if this turns out to be general policy.

 

[WoodlandHills]

If you like one-pedal driving, don't be in such a hurry to get an update. Most folks who have done it are not happy with the way the drivability is changed. I am going to keep away from the dealer as long as possible.

 

[jadnashuanh]

Safety updates happen to everyone. Functional ones get changed if there is a customer problem reported and the fix is in software. IOW, you may not end up with a convenience feature in the new software immediately unless it addresses a safety or functional problem reported. The adding of a new feature is not sufficient to justify the change on an incremental basis (as BMW sees it), only when it reaches some critical mass. If some part needs to be replaced, that often may require updating to the latest software for everything to then work right.

 

[MFNATIK]

I had the CEL come on as well. The garage had a funny burnt electrical smell in the morning and when the i3 was powered on it showed the CEL. Dropped it off at the dealer on Friday. Will see what they say Monday when their i3 techs get back in.

 

[Idleup]

Electrical tape - dumb solution!

 

[ThreeEyes]

I had the CEL come on as well. The garage had a funny burnt electrical smell in the morning and when the i3 was powered on it showed the CEL. Dropped it off at the dealer on Friday. Will see what they say Monday when their i3 techs get back in.

@MFNATIK, what was the outcome of the "burnt electrical smell"? Our i3 sometimes has that smell inside whilst driving.

 

[EVfan]

Anyone know of a home remedy besides 3M tape to fix the engine light on I3REX model? Ive had my I3 for a year and 3 months and tired of taking it to dealer to to have them turn it off with a supposed software update, no bueno... Can anyone help?

thanks,

Rick

 

[SSi3]

Anyone know of a home remedy besides 3M tape to fix the engine light on I3REX model? Ive had my I3 for a year and 3 months and tired of taking it to dealer to to have them turn it off with a supposed software update, no bueno... Can anyone help?

thanks,

Rick

Get an OBD2 reader and try clearing it yourself.

 

[jadnashuanh]

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/Scanner/ES1928152/ , if you can wait, should be able to do lots of BMW specific things. Probably something useful to have if you plan to own the car after the warranty runs out.