Page 1 of 1
what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:53 pm
by asmith88
my service lights are at orange and red, what does this mean, i was also wondering in general what the greens mean?? the service history shows an oil service a few thousand miles ago.
Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:55 pm
by Baz666
i think the green goes down when its getting close to it needing a service orange then red mean it
wants a service ????
Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:00 pm
by magpie
oil change it and filter.then use mr moore's mod to knock out the lights.[reset]

Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:00 pm
by asmith88
not sure just loking to clear it up
Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:01 pm
by asmith88
that all?
Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:05 pm
by magpie
do the mod just wires across the pins in the plug near the fuse box.
i have a reset tool but i'm not up home or i'd reset it for ya.
Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:08 pm
by asmith88
ok, i seen an about that, i think its on here somewhere...
http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/index.html
so oil and fiter change then? when do the plugs/leads etc need changed?
Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:20 pm
by magpie
when you want i'd say but the most important part is the good lovely oil.
lube the bitch up she'll love ya!

Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:25 pm
by asmith88
lol cheers, got it today, very happy. first e30, runs very well for 140k..
also wondering is there a guide to fitting an mtech 2 kit. coudnt find one on the wiki, however did find the service light reset!!
Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:07 pm
by magpie
i wouldn't be drilling any holes in my panels to fit a kit.you may be able to adhesive it on.
but i do like the kit.

Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:20 pm
by asmith88
yea glue would be decent but dont know if id trust it, if you know what i mean?
Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:13 am
by mrLEE30
The service lights are not activated by the condition of your engine, they come on after a certain amount of time, this may be quick if you drive a lot or slow if its parked a lot. the time is dictated by a circuit run from the SI batteries, so again depending on the condition of the SI batteries the time between lights coming on may differ.
Note this timing interval was set 20 years ago when oils were not the same. modern oils do not require as frequent a change. Depending on miliage and condition of the car every 10000 miles would be a better interval.
to reset the lights use a piece of wire stirpped at each end, open the diagnostic plug cover (found toward the front of your engine when viewed from your passenger side)
then with ignition off put a jumper accross pin 7 and 11. (the pin numbers can be seen next to each pin assuming you have a facelift car, or under the cap if you have the older model) turn on ignition and wait 7-10 seconds, the lights should change to green. If the oil inspection light is also on then turn off ignition and turn back on and this liht should also go off after 7-10 secs.
the wiki guid for fitting tech 2 is here:
http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ar_bumpers
Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:14 pm
by magpie
^

there you go mr smith,sorted.

Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:37 pm
by asmith88
thanks for your replies
Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:59 pm
by daimlerman
Service indicator takes a signal from the time clock,from the speedo,from the tacho,from the temp. gauge and the milometer.Computes these to decide when each light goes out.In this way,if you drive at moderate speeds until your engine warms through,have few cold starts,keep below 4200rpm your green lights will go out slowly. On the other hand,if you rev the nuts off your engine from cold,drive it 200 yards then stop and restart your green lights will go out much more quickly.It just depends on your usage and driving style.
Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:44 pm
by johnlouis
daimlerman wrote:Service indicator takes a signal from the time clock,from the speedo,from the tacho,from the temp. gauge and the milometer.Computes these to decide when each light goes out.In this way,if you drive at moderate speeds until your engine warms through,have few cold starts,keep below 4200rpm your green lights will go out slowly. On the other hand,if you rev the nuts off your engine from cold,drive it 200 yards then stop and restart your green lights will go out much more quickly.It just depends on your usage and driving style.
once again I am impressed with how sophisticated this car is for its age.
Re: what do the service lights mean
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:03 pm
by magpie
i thought the same a clever bit of kit that made people use bmw for a service until a reset tool or above mod was introduced,clever fookers them germans.