What's this warning light?

[Twin Turbo]

The one on the left that looks a bit like an engine?




Browsing the classifieds and this E46 looks lovely, but should that concern me?

[motco]

It's the EML (engine management light) and will be illuminated when the ignition is on but the engine not running. If it remains on, that's when you worry.

[Twin Turbo]

Thank you, Sir (it's merely "EML" on my old E39, so didn't recognise it).

[motco]

You are welcome my good man! My little Z3 has one as well!

[Evangelion]

Not sure that's right, my E46 has one of these and another light beside it that actually says EML. My problem was that the EML light would come on and effectively stop the car. Switching off and restarting reset it and extinguished the EML light but the engine block would stay illuminated.
Cost a few hundred to get rid of that little problem I seem to recall. They replaced a couple of quite expensive components; one an ECU, the other something to do with variable valve timing.
Car perfect ever since.

[motco]

Evangelion said:

Not sure that's right, my E46 has one of these and another light beside it that actually says EML. My problem was that the EML light would come on and effectively stop the car. Switching off and restarting reset it and extinguished the EML light but the engine block would stay illuminated.
Cost a few hundred to get rid of that little problem I seem to recall. They replaced a couple of quite expensive components; one an ECU, the other something to do with variable valve timing.
Car perfect ever since.

Just looked at my Z3 manual for the first time in two years. Actually you are right in that it isn't the EML but it is the emissions warning light but they have a habit of both coming on when there's a problem. However, as far as the OP is concerned it isn't a worry if it goes out when the engine starts. Apologies for my faulty memory.

[sparks_E39]

Seen that light more than once

[edc]

Sold our e46 but isn't that the low coolant light? It should go off after a few seconds of the engine firing up.

[Twin Turbo]

Thanks all

[mekondelta]

Our 1-series (118i) had the same light show up last year and it turned out (according to BMW) to be a spark plug that had gone. Unfortunately, it's just shown up again last night!

[Silent1]

That's the engine fault light, there's another that just says EML, that is the engine management light and if that comes on its bad news.

[Fox-]

It is not the EML light at all, thats a seperate light. Your E39 had this light as well.

As said it goes out once the engine is started if everything is fine.

From the manual:

Manual said:

Engine - Detoriation of exhuast emission control values. Have the problem examined by BMW Service

And about the EML light, a different light (Which is the text EML):

Manual said:

Engine Electronics. Fault in the engine electronics. The electronics will allow you to continue your journey at reduced engine output and engine speed. Have the problem examined by BMW Service

There we go.

[motco]

The true significance of the lights is less clear than you might think. My throttle body stuck closed and the EML, exhaust emissions, and the DSC/traction control lights all illuminated. Weird?

[sparks_E39]

Mine was a vanos problem, a sticky valve. It came on when my ignition barrel broke too.

[blondini]

motco said:

The true significance of the lights is less clear than you might think. My throttle body stuck closed and the EML, exhaust emissions, and the DSC/traction control lights all illuminated. Weird?

I got the EML and DSC lamps when I forgot to reconnect the throttle position sensor after an oil filter change, (the connector was in the way of the filter housing), I can't remember if I got the emissions lamp too but it all makes sense. The DCS needs to modulate throttle so will indicate a DSC fault if it can't. Also I'm pretty sure engine management will fiddle with throttle opening to reduce emissions under certain circumstances, so again if the ecu can't modulate the throttle it will indicate a fault.