disabled check engine light?

[bangibimmer]

Hi

just curious. Can the check engine light on the dashboard be disabled/disconnected? Does the light comes on for a while when key is inserted and engine started? If this light can be disabled than the mechanics can have easy time convincing owners that the engine is ok. Mine does not light up when engine is started. 2000 523i e39

Thanks in advance

halim

 

[andreyiv]

The check engine light should be lit when the ignition key is turned all the way without starting the engine. Every car I have ever been in does this right before start up and the light goes off right after the engine is started (if everything is ok that is).

 

[bangibimmer]

thanks. My car is running quite ok except that the engine quite noisy during slow speed and drags itself too. i suspect something is wrong but the check engine light does not light up. Since its not light up at all i guess its faulty. anything wrong with the engine you think?

Halim

 

[JUS]

Have some one / Dealer run a diagnostic check, or it could be that the lamp is out. your description engine is draging check your emission, your (CHECK ENGINE) lamp ia an Emission-Control indicator lamp. How many miles does the car have?


GOOD LUCK
JUS

 

[bangibimmer]

Hi Jus

the milage is about 31,000 miles (I'm not sure whether its the correct reading!) i just found out that it was 9/1998 production instead of 2000 as indicated by the salesman. I'm suspecting the O2 sensor but upon diognosed no faulty code appeared.

Thanks

Halim

 

[ukray]

i'd be very interested in this too, as my check engine light does not come on when i turn the ignition.

I have also ran the test 02 to check all my dash lights and needles and that is one of the lights that doesn't come on either.

Any ideas, does the instrument cluster actually have bulbs or are they all LED's?

Cheers

 

[jrt67ss350]

They are bulbs - you have a burnt-out Check Engine light bulb.