Inspection Warning Light

Post Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:51 am

My inspection warning light on my dashboard is on. Does anyone know why it might be on and what i can do to make it go away? The new MOT rules means it will be an MOT failure and the MOT is up next week

Post Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:55 am

It means that a service is due. It is NOT a fault indicator.

is it really an MoT Fail if a service indicator light is on ?

what car is it ?

Post Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:00 am

Ah ok. Do you have to do something with the ECU to tell it its been serviced? Its a 318i E30. From what I understand, they now check all dash warning lights (and it is a warning light I guess?) light up with ignition on, and then turn off as they should. It came into effect from January I think but was made an advisory until April.

Post Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:08 am

I just checked with the local MOT centre and a service light is not a problem. Thanks Kam

Post Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:08 am

there is a way to reset it, guide here

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ion_Lights

The lights ARE NOT A WARNING LIGHT.....and therefore dont come under the checks for warning lights/indicators.

From the Wiki

"The Inspection Light system is a number of bulbs in the centre of your dash to remind you about servicing your car. The system is made of two parts; the "Inspection" light with its little clock symbol, and the LED bar of green, amber and red lights. These two systems are independent of each other.

The Inspection Light itself is a twelve-month clock which shows you how soon you'll be needing a proper BMW Service; either Inspection 1 or Inspection 2, depending on what you have stamped in your service book. The system runs from a built-in timer powered by the SI batteries; there are no sensors in your car which can actually tell whether a service has been done or not.

The LED light bar is your Oil change indicator, and is made up of five green, one yellow and one red. Up to five green LED's will light when the ignition is turned on. However, the LED's will extinguish once the engine is started, counting down to when your oil change is due. When the yellow light comes on, it's time to change the oil. When the Red light comes on, this means that service is overdue by approximately 1000 miles. Once the service has been completed, the service lights should be reset. The system is not intelligent; again, it works purely on a timer and has no knowledge about whether you've actually changed the oil or not.

If your Inspection lights constantly glow, even after being reset, this is usually a fault of the SI batteries."

This can be verified by checking the inpsection manual on VOSA's website.

Post Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:14 am

Thanks for that, Ill give it ago!

Post Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:22 am

The above wiki link has some errors!
The clock symbol is a simple 12 months timer, is not 'intelligent', and is just a reminder for a general inspection of the car and for coolant and brake/clutch fluid changes.
The LEDs and oil service light are 'intelligent' however, and he rate at which they count down is determined by the distance travelled, the temperature of the engine at the time, and how far it has been driven at high revs. They are manually reset as part of a service, so, if your car is returned to you after a service with the lights still on, take it back and tell them to finish the job they have been paid for.
There are a few warning and other lights that have recently or are about to be added to the MOT test, but these will only be of concern to those who drive total sheds or are too lazy to perform the simplest of maintenance.

Post Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:35 am

Cheers for that Brian, I'll amend the wiki ASAP