Service engine light came on. I checked the water, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid and battery. What could be the problem?

Have you tried shutting it off and trying again? I know that the transmission computer has to go thru a relearn procedure. Without it moving at all is a bid worry some.

It might be faster if the car was brought to a shop for diagnostics. The ECU has detected a fluid issue and the engine is protecting itself. Check the oil level and transmission fluid. Also check your records and see if the vehicle needs an oil change, transmission service, or antifreeze service. It could be related to your brakes but it that was the case. You have noticed other warning lights. Please write back and let me know what you found or if you have other questions, good luck.

Thats ur check engine light. check all ur fluids oil/transmission/coolant or antifreeze. If light stays on then see a mechanic, and they have a machine that pugs into ur car and tells you whats wrong

Could be tranny fluid or engine oil. Check trans and engine oil and see if they have water in them.Water in engine oil can mean a bad head gasket but could also mean bad intake gaskets or oil cooler if it has one.( rare on this car)Water in the trans most of the time means oil cooler in the radiator. This is bad and will mean transmission failure soon. The chemical reaction of the antifreeze and transmission fluid damages clutches and internal seals.

Well, lets see... it could be engine oil, it could be coolant/antifreeze, it could be brake fluid, it could be power steering fluid, it could be windshield washer fluid, it could be transmission fluid, it could be gas, it could be differential gear oil.

No dipstick. You have to pump it in from the bottom.A trans shop will be the best place to have it checked.

Hi and welcome to FixYa. I am Kelly.

Here are your service intervals:

NOTE Besides Oil changes there are inspection intervals I & II

http://www.savagebmw.com/Service/content_service_Intervals.htm

Inspection interval I

BMW Inspection I (return to top) Undercarriage

• Change engine oil and filter while engine is at normal operation temperature.
• Check transmission for leaks.
• Check rear axle for leaks.
• Visually check fuel tank, lines, and connections for leaks.
• Check condition, position, and mounting of exhaust system. Examine for leaks.
• Check power steering system for leaks.
• Check overall thickness of front and rear disc brake pads.
• Examine brake disc surfaces.
• Clean brake pad contact points in calipers.
• Grease wheel center hubs.
• Check steering for absence of play, condition of suspension track rods, front axle joints, steering linkage, and joint disc.
• Check front control arm bushing for wear.
• Check brake and clutch system connectors and lines for leaks, damage, and incorrect positioning.
• Check for free movement of the parking brake cables. Adjust parking brake if necessary.
• Check all tire pressures (including spare). Correct if necessary.
• Check condition of tires (outer surfaces (left/right)), tread wear and pattern; In case of uneven tread wear readjust wheel alignment if required.

Engine Compartment

• Read out diagnostic system
• Check engine cooling system/heater hose connections for leaks.
• Check coolant level and antifreeze protection level; add coolant if necessary.
• Check level of brake and clutch fluid in reservoir; add fluid if required.
• Check windshield washer fluid level and antifreeze protection. Fill up and/or correct if necessary.
• Check air conditioner for operation.
• Reset Service Indicator.

Body/Electrical Equipment

• Check battery electrolyte level and add distilled water if required.
• Perform batter load test.
• Check lighting system, i.e. headlights, foglights, parking, backup, license plate, interior (including map reading lights), glove box, flashlight, illuminated makeup mirrors, luggage compartment lights.
• Check instrument panel and dashboard illumination.
• Check all warning/indicator lights, check control.
• Check turn signals, hazard warning flashers, brake lights, horns, headlight dimmer/flasher switch.
• Check wiper and washer system(s); wiper blades, washer jet positions.
• Check condition and function of safety belts.
• Oil hood, trunk/tailgate, and door hinges.
• Grease hood, trunk/tailgate and door latches. Check operation of all latches.
• Check central locking/double lock.
• Replace microfilter or Acc. Cabin Filter.
• Check heater/air conditioner blower, rear window defogger.
• Check rear view mirrors
• Visually examine the SRS airbag units for torn cover, obvious damage or attachment of decals, decorations, or accessories.

Final Inspection

• Road test with check of brakes, suspension, steering, clutch/manual transmission or automatic transmission

Inspection interval II
BMW Inspection II (return to top) Undercarriage

• Change engine oil and filter while engine is at normal operation temperature.
• Check transmission for leaks.
• Check rear axle for leaks.
• Visually check fuel tank, lines, and connections for leaks.
• Check condition, position, and mounting of exhaust system. Examine for leaks.
• Check power steering system for leaks.
• Check overall thickness of front and rear disc brake pads.
• Examine brake disc surfaces.
• Clean brake pad contact points in calipers.
• Grease wheel center hubs.
• Check steering for absence of play, condition of suspension track rods, front axle joints, steering linkage, and joint disc.
• Check front control arm bushing for wear.
• Check brake and clutch system connectors and lines for leaks, damage, and incorrect positioning.
• Check for free movement of the parking brake cables. Adjust parking brake if necessary.
• Check all tire pressures (including spare). Correct if necessary.
• Check condition of tires (outer surfaces (left/right)), tread wear and pattern; In case of uneven tread wear readjust wheel alignment if required.
• Check thickness of parking brake linings.
• Half-shafts; check for leaks at flexible boots.
• Inspect entire body according to terms of rust prevention limited warranty.

Engine Compartment

• Read out diagnostic system
• Check engine cooling system/heater hose connections for leaks.
• Check coolant level and antifreeze protection level; add coolant if necessary.
• Check level of brake and clutch fluid in reservoir; add fluid if required.
• Check windshield washer fluid level and antifreeze protection. Fill up and/or correct if necessary.
• Check air conditioner for operation.
• Reset Service Indicator.
• Replace spark plugs (as applicable by year and model)
• Replace intake air cleaner element.

Body/Electrical Equipment

• Check battery electrolyte level and add distilled water if required.
• Perform batter load test.
• Check lighting system, i.e. headlights, foglights, parking, backup, license plate, interior (including map reading lights), glove box, flashlight, illuminated makeup mirrors, luggage compartment lights.
• Check instrument panel and dashboard illumination.
• Check all warning/indicator lights, check control.
• Check turn signals, hazard warning flashers, brake lights, horns, headlight dimmer/flasher switch.
• Check wiper and washer system(s); wiper blades, washer jet positions.
• Check condition and function of safety belts.
• Oil hood, trunk/tailgate, and door hinges.
• Grease hood, trunk/tailgate and door latches. Check operation of all latches.
• Check central locking/double lock.
• Replace microfilter or Acc Cabin Filter.
• Check heater/air conditioner blower, rear window defogger.
• Check rear view mirrors
• Visually examine the SRS airbag units for torn cover, obvious damage or attachment of decals, decorations, or accessories.

Final Inspection

• Road test with check of brakes, suspension, steering, clutch/manual transmission or automatic transmission

Service indicator lights if installed:

http://www.savagebmw.com/Service/content_service_IntervalsLED.htm

That should just about cover the works other than failures.

Thanks for using FixYa!

Kelly

all engines require motor oil

The green bar is the service indicator bar. The bar shoulld decrease every 1500/2000 km to indicate still how far you can drive before the next service. It will evetually change to yellow and then red. This means the service is overdue. When my 1995 318 went for a service the dealer reset the indicators to full green bars. A week later the bar was in the red. Some computers are prone to this fault due to low ore loss of battery power. Just make sure the physical km of your inspection is still maintained. BMW SERVICE RESET Take a small wire, paperclip, or elect wire and bend like a horseshoe. No light or equipment necessary Open the diagnostic data port, the one were the little pacman centre is located. Turn the ignition to position 2, don?t start. Connect pin7 always first and then pin 19. Hold for 4 seconds. Remove wire and settings will be reset. Warning if you hold the wire longer than 10 seconds you may reset inspection intervals 1 and 2. I?ve done this twice and it definitely work on my E36