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| E36 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas 
					Posts: 5
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				Why no check engine light?
			 
			Just curious why I don't get a check engine light but have something so out of whack it fails the HC 185ppm and NoX 2100 ppm pretty bad. The only time I have seen the check engine light is under hard acceleration it may blink occasionally. I hope to get back to troubleshooting it soon, maybe I can find something actually wrong. A few years ago it failed and I replaced the Engine temp sensor, O2 sensor, spark plugs, ran 2 bottles of smog pass and almost passed. Finally I replaced the cats and it passed but the HC's were still pretty high. I had a knock sensor #1 code that came back after clearing the ECM but still no CEL. Anyone know how to properly test the Mass Air Flow sensor? Mine is a Hot Film type, which I believe has a square wave output not a voltage based on resistance. Scott | ||
|  01-31-2008, 11:12 AM | 
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| Moderator | 
			CEL flashing on acceleration sounds very familiar.  I would start there.  O2 maybe...
		 
				__________________ HPDE Instructor (BMW / PCA / Apex) Here: 1997 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma ~ 2006 Yamaha R6 ~ 1997 R1100RT ~ 1991 Ford F-150 5.8l ~ 2015 Kia Optima Gone: 2001 330i Silver/Grey ~ 98 Camry V6 ~ 97 Camry I4 ~ 97 Mazda 626 I4 ~ 93 Sentra SE-R ~ 88 Toyota Truck I4 | ||
|  01-31-2008, 08:13 PM | 
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| Registered Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Valencia Pa. 
					Posts: 8,860
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			A flashing CEL, usually indicates a misfire, I am under the assumption that the light flashes to show urgency in performing service,as continous driving with a misfire, will damage cats, and or possibly cause engine damage
		 
				__________________ No left turn un stoned | ||
|  02-07-2008, 06:16 PM | 
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| Moderator | 
			My recorded misfires have had a solid CEL. I don't think he meant "flashing" but rather comes on only for a very short time then goes off. 
				__________________ HPDE Instructor (BMW / PCA / Apex) Here: 1997 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma ~ 2006 Yamaha R6 ~ 1997 R1100RT ~ 1991 Ford F-150 5.8l ~ 2015 Kia Optima Gone: 2001 330i Silver/Grey ~ 98 Camry V6 ~ 97 Camry I4 ~ 97 Mazda 626 I4 ~ 93 Sentra SE-R ~ 88 Toyota Truck I4 | ||
|  02-07-2008, 06:42 PM | 
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