[jstkwan]

I saw quite a lengthy discussion on this topic, should I worry about it? My light just lit up today, it is under 1400 km. Is it a software glitch? I just had the recall about software update (OTA) not working. While in shop the updated the software and today the Check Engine Light turned on.

I booked at dealership to look at next week

[chrisado]

No one can possibly answer that other than guessing. The dealer will connect to the ecu and read the codes to determine the cause.

[jstkwan]

Thanks, for sure I will let dealership check it out

[Qsilver7]

The CEL (check eng light) is OBD II related...which means something in the emissions system created a fault.

If you or a friend has a simple generic OBD II reader/scanner...you can pull the code and simply google it to see if there is any info about it. Since OBD II has been a federal mandate in the US market since 1996...there are tons of info about the various codes (DTC ie diagnostic trouble codes).

And in most states...most automotive stores (ie AutoZone, Pep Boys, Advanced Auto, O'Reilly's, etc) will pull OBD II codes for free. Just get a copy of the DTC so that you can google it for more info.

Check your owners manual for the description of the CEL warning light....it is one of the most misunderstood warning lights....it is about the car's emissions (not really the "engine")...and can be something as simple as the fuel cap being on wrong, or more serious like catalytic converter sensors or misfiring spark plugs.

[jstkwan]

Qsilver7 , so this is more likely an emission fault??!! I was thinking like you said, misunderstood to engine related. I am pretty sure that it is not the fuel cap problem, I mean I had not fuel it up yet and been driving for about 2 weeks.
I can still drive the car without worries, so to speak? I am taking it to the dealership on Tuesday for them to see what is causing the light to come on. In the meantime, I will see about the manual about the CEL.

Thanks

[jstkwan]

hmm, so I checked the symbol in the manual. I thought it is Check Engine Light (I mean that is the symbol that I associate with Toyota cars) but it is Exhaust Emissions. Are they the same / related to each other? Am I even calling the symbol correctly, I mean Check Engine?

Thanks

[jstkwan]

The light now disappeared, I should be good?

[krypttic]

Originally Posted by jstkwan

The light now disappeared, I should be good?

What model do you have? Many (myself included) had CELs on our 50e due to issues with a coolant valve and other things.

[suitedcboy]

The Check Engine Light is a legally required warning lamp to notify you that the emissions might be exceeding accepted levels. The engine may or may not have any issues with the way it runs and operates when this light is lit. If the fault detected resolves itself it will be turned off once the fault is checked and is no longer out of normal range. The engine can be out of oil and overheated to destruction and this light will not be lit. Other warning lights, and often control center messages, will warn you of other problems. It is best to get the vehicle scanned for the code(s) soon after the light goes off as the record of the fault will be stored for a period and that can explain why it ever was lit.

[jstkwan]

Originally Posted by krypttic

What model do you have? Many (myself included) had CELs on our 50e due to issues with a coolant valve and other things.

I have same model as you. To me, looks like BMW has a big issue with this CEL, issue and this forum proofs it……

[chrisado]

Yes they do… there is another thread on the cel with almost 70pages! Btw it is not just about emissions - it will light up for many reasons based off many sensor feedback conditions which may or may not be related to mechanical issues. The OBD2 connector only provides limited information for certain defined parameters when accessed through generic scan tools. It is best to take it to the dealer. The last time went off, it was for a radiator blind (baffle) not opening properly

[maxthrottle]

CEL light was on for a week and suddenly went out today.

[JoeAyalaM]

I would not worry, 50e's throw CELs often.

[Mishoo]

Originally Posted by suitedcboy

The Check Engine Light is a legally required warning lamp to notify you that the emissions might be exceeding accepted levels. The engine may or may not have any issues with the way it runs and operates when this light is lit. If the fault detected resolves itself it will be turned off once the fault is checked and is no longer out of normal range. The engine can be out of oil and overheated to destruction and this light will not be lit. Other warning lights, and often control center messages, will warn you of other problems. It is best to get the vehicle scanned for the code(s) soon after the light goes off as the record of the fault will be stored for a period and that can explain why it ever was lit.

I like this explanation as it makes sense in my own case. I noticed that when it is winter time, my 50e throws the CELs whenever I drive it hard (i.e. did 135km/h). 2-5 days later it goes off by itself.
I got a CEL 2 days ago (it was real feel of -38C outside) and I booked an appointment today, only for the check engine to disappear last night. I called the dealership and they said since its gone, I don't need to bother coming.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by chrisado

The last time went off, it was for a radiator blind (baffle) not opening properly

This would still be "emissions" related...which is why the CEL light illuminated.

The car's emissions (the OBD II federal mandate) is connected to fuel, ignition, and air. If any of these systems have issues...it can affect the cars emissions...thus the reason they are all tied to the CEL warning light.

If your radiator baffle is not opening, it is causing an imbalance of your car's air intake...thus the emissions are affected...and the CEL light illuminates.

[jstkwan]

Originally Posted by Mishoo

I like this explanation as it makes sense in my own case. I noticed that when it is winter time, my 50e throws the CELs whenever I drive it hard (i.e. did 135km/h). 2-5 days later it goes off by itself.
I got a CEL 2 days ago (it was real feel of -38C outside) and I booked an appointment today, only for the check engine to disappear last night. I called the dealership and they said since its gone, I don't need to bother coming.

Yes, I went to dealership, since my CEL is off, troubleshooting is a guess. However, when I got CEL, it was around-20C and they said it could be the flap (something like that and forgot what it was called) was frozen and the mixture is now off….. since then (3 days later) the light is off and now is 5 C. This is like a design problem….. I can see this happening again and they tell me to come in immediately so then can do a reading while the light is still on to see what exactly caused the problem

[walketed]

Originally Posted by jstkwan

I saw quite a lengthy discussion on this topic, should I worry about it? My light just lit up today, it is under 1400 km. Is it a software glitch? I just had the recall about software update (OTA) not working. While in shop the updated the software and today the Check Engine Light turned on.

I booked at dealership to look at next week

All the answers to all your questions are in that thread.

[maxthrottle]

Originally Posted by Mishoo

I like this explanation as it makes sense in my own case. I noticed that when it is winter time, my 50e throws the CELs whenever I drive it hard (i.e. did 135km/h). 2-5 days later it goes off by itself.
I got a CEL 2 days ago (it was real feel of -38C outside) and I booked an appointment today, only for the check engine to disappear last night. I called the dealership and they said since its gone, I don't need to bother coming.

During my first 2 months of ownership the CEL has been ON and OFF about 6 times already. My first visit to the dealership took 3 days and a software update that worked for one week. The light came back again followed by a left taillight failure and rapid blinking of the turn signal, I pressed the ON button and the reset cleared both problems, a few days later the CEL is ON and staying on. Not temperature dependent happened on hot and cold days, electric and ICE modes.. The rear tailgate when locking now sounds like a shotgun blast. My next appointment with the dealership is Friday.

[chrisado]

I wasn’t suggesting the CEL light doesn’t reflect federally mandated emission failure reporting but that it isn’t the only purpose. OBD Ii connectors also can be used by a generic scan tool to pull transmission and body control unit codes as well, but again, is limited compared to what the dealership can read. As far as the radiator blind goes, it isn’t to control ‘intake air’ but rather to assist engine warm up speed, aerodynamics and lastly to open when needed to assist with engine cooling. A failure of the blind to open when needed would lead to engine overheating which is a much bigger concern than violating an emission standard. The same for crank ang, cam angle and various other sensors.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by chrisado

I wasn’t suggesting the CEL light doesn’t reflect federally mandated emission failure reporting but that it isn’t the only purpose. OBD Ii connectors also can be used by a generic scan tool to pull transmission and body control unit codes as well, but again, is limited compared to what the dealership can read. ...

points taken.