Driving your BMW is always a pleasure, but nothing can cut through the joy of a fun drive like the Service Engine Soon (SES) light. This light alerts the driver to a problem, but because the SES light does not mean the end of the road for your most cherished car. On the contrary, it’s just a sign that something under the hood needs to be fixed or adjusted. Identifying the cause of the warning light can help you keep your cool and make the right decision to address any issues that could be the reason for the warning light.
What Causes The Service Engine Soon Light to Come On in Your BMW?
- Bad Fuel: Fuel that is contaminated or of poor quality can cause serious problems for the engine of your BMW. If the fuel contains impurities or additives that are not in accordance with the vehicle’s specifications, it can cause combustion problems, engine misfires, and eventually trigger the SES light.
- Leaking Fuel Cap: A loose or broken fuel cap can enable fuel vapors to escape the fuel tank, impairing the vehicle’s evaporative emissions control system. It may set off the SES light to warn you of a possible fuel system leakage.
- Bad Fuel Injectors: Defective fuel injectors can cause the fuel to be delivered unevenly to the engine cylinders, resulting in engine performance problems. When the computer of the BMW detects the irregular fuel injector operation, it may turn on the SES light to communicate the problem.
- Bad O2 Sensors: Oxygen (O2) sensors are the key to the process of measuring the oxygen levels in the exhaust gasses and adjusting the fuel-air mixture. If one or more O2 sensors fail or slow down, a wrong fuel mixture will be adjusted which causes SES light to illuminate. You should replace the sensor immediately so that your car can burn fuel efficiently.
- Worn Out Spark Plugs: Spark plugs are indispensable for sparking the cylinders with an air-fuel mixture. In the course of time, spark plugs can be worn out, become fouled, or have deposits, which result in misfires, rough idling, and decreased engine performance. The BMW’s onboard computer system may flash the SES light when it detects misfires or irregular combustion.
You Need A BMW Professional
If you have problems with the SES light and you own a BMW, the professionals should always be your choice. In the world of auto repairs, it is very tempting to search the internet for DIY solutions or even try to diagnose and fix the problem yourself. However, there is nothing that can substitute for the bank of knowledge and experience available to a mechanic who is worth his weight.
When your Service Engine Soon light comes on, don’t go to an amateur or attempt to take care of the problem yourself, as you can end up causing more problems in the long run. Instead, go to a skilled service technician who specializes in European vehicles. These technicians have the abilities, equipment, and know-how to determine the problem and fix it effectively, so you can breathe easy knowing that your car is in good hands. There is no need to wait until a situation has far deteriorated before welcoming professionals.
Let The Professionals At Heynneman European Service Your BMW
At Heynneman European, we are 
the leading repair shop for European car owners in San Rafael, CA. When you bring your BMW to our shop, our ASE-certified mechanics will treat your car as if it were our own. If you notice the SES light come on as you are driving your car and you do not know what could have gone wrong, you can drive your car through our garage for diagnosis and repair. Our experts will make sure that the job is done smoothly the first time.
Aside from BMW drivers who reside in San Rafael, CA, we also support people from places like Larkspur, Kentfield, Corte, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, and Fairfax, CA. As soon as you detect any anomaly in your BMW, rush to our garage where our experts are waiting to help you out. Book an appointment now by calling us at 415-499-1234.
