Owners of a BMW might breathe a heavy sigh when they see a check engine light appear on the dashboard. However, a check engine light can be due to any number of issues, and an experienced auto technician can help perform a diagnosis and repair.

Working with BMWs requires training, experience, and sometimes a little patience. Luckily, our team of technicians has a great deal of practice working with these types of vehicles. We’re happy to be based in the San Jose area, and we are the go-to shop for repair, service, and maintenance needs for many people in our community.

In today’s article, we will focus on the most common reasons for the BMW 4 Series to display a check engine light. If you drive a 4 Series and your warning light keeps coming on, read on to learn why we’re the perfect team to help get your car running properly again.

Loose or Broken Gas Cap

Perhaps the most common reason for the BMW 4 Series to display a check engine light is due to the gas cap. The 4 Series and many other BMW models have a sensor in the gas cap which monitors fuel pressure. When the gas cap is loose, cracked, or the sensor goes bad, the check engine light will illuminate. Luckily, this is a very minor issue and replacing the gas cap itself is easy. If your car seems to have no other issues and the engine light is on, the gas cap might be to blame.

Emissions Issue

Another sensor in the 4 Series monitors the emissions system of the vehicle. Like many modern cars, the 4 Series filters harmful gasses back into the engine block to be burned off so they don’t harm the environment. The catalytic converter also has a sensor which monitors its function in limiting emissions. When these systems aren’t working properly or if there is an issue with these sensors, the engine light can also illuminate. Our team can typically diagnose and repair these problems quickly.

Fuel Supply Problem

Another common issue with the 4 Series relates to the fuel consumption or combustion inside the engine block. The 4 Series sometimes has issues with spark plug wear, fuel injectors, or carbon buildup. Any of these issues can cause engine misfires, which will always trigger the engine light to come on. If you have noticed a misfire and your engine light is blinking, be sure to have the car checked out as soon as possible and avoid driving to ensure the engine isn’t further damaged.

While this is not an extensive list, these are some of the most common reasons for the 4 Series to display an error. As a side note, a blinking check engine light indicates a major issue, so if the light is blinking or red, don’t drive any more and let us check it out. To ask specific questions about how your car is behaving or book an appointment at our shop, please reach out to us today.