CEL problem

[rolandmw]

I have a CEL question for you guys...

I've had my 90 325i for about a month now. My CEL light seems to come on intermittently, and I dont really want to make an assumption, but it most of the time it happens either after I wash it or after it rains.

While running, it flashes so many different sequences, I cant tell where it starts or where it ends. Also, the headlights and dash lights flicker... they dont go out, but they dim, as if I had a bad alternator.

After about 15 minutes, the light goes away and the lights are normal and then no problems...

I tried to use the gas pedal deal to retrieve the codes, but I get nothing. With the key in the on position, all my dash lights are on.

Any ideas what could be causing the CEL to go off and then go away? And, other than putting the key in the on position and pressing the gas pedal 5 times... is there anything else I need to do???

Thanks in advance

Roland

[Wayne 962]

Welcome! You will find great info here! I think that you need to read this article on checking codes, and you should find out why it's blinking:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/Mult-Code_Reading/Mult-Code_Reading.htm

See what the codes are, and then post them here. Then we can talk about your alternator...

-Wayne

[rolandmw]

Just an update.

I took the car to my mechanic. Since I couldnt get the gas pedal deal to work to extract the codes..... they pulled the codes for me and found that it was indeed a voltage regulator problem. They also found that the ground strap that runs from the oil pan to the frame was pretty bad off, looks like som arc'ing was happening.

Voltage regulator and strap replaced...

All is well, no more check engine light.

[Wayne 962]

Ground strap - one of the most overlooked components on the car, and often one of the most problematic!

-Wayne

[rolandmw]

yea... I didnt even realize it was there until I saw the new one.

Roland