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Re: check engine light (archive)
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Posted by DHoang on March 12, 2001 at 05:05:12:

In Reply to: Improper coolant level never cause of Ck Engine Lt posted by NY2OCJeff on March 11, 2001 at 22:15:26:

It's a safe bet that check engine light is no doubt related to emissions for his 1998 year car. But the new cars have "map" cooling, and responds to engine speed, engine load and outside temp, rather than just coolant temp. Since this allows the engine to operate at higher temps under light load conditions, which increases fuel economy and benefit heater efficiency... I would be more swayed to believe that sensors to gauge engine temperatures within certain zones of the motor get schematic into the DME circuits and works in conjunction with the fuel injectors and catalyst. As such, check engine light on newer models could also indicate faulty readings within the coolant system.

(It's common SOP in the engineering world that) if BMW didn't revise the instrument cluster to accomodate an idiot light for map cooling, then it's a safe bet that they reused the generic "check engine light" for this type of warning...



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