Inspection light on dash.

[slippy]

Hi guys this may sound simple but please forgive the newbie. When i turn the ignition key round to second position 4 of the 5 green lights on dash for inspection come up. When the car is running the inspection light itself is illuminated. Now does this mean that i the warning to get the car properly serviced by BMW as in i need the key to trun the light of before the on board computer stops the car starting or can i drive on and just regularly change filters and oil etc???

[nate]

Hey im getting the same problem, ive only had it a week and has a brand new MOT.

the inspection light is always on but has just changed to orange and also tells me i need an oil change now!!! Does this sound urgent to you people???? do i need to do an oil change???

Ps slippy u need a computer to change the inspection light but by the sound of it your car is fine.

[Andy_magic]

How many miles have your cars done since the last oil service.

I do mine every 3k miles, I'm not sure what BMW reckon on the interval.

there are ways of putting the service lights out on an E30 using a bit of wire, but you'll have to search for it.

[cuk325]

ive got a reset tool for the lights if anyones near west mids. ill do it for them

[slippy]

Not sure how many miles its ben since oil change as I just bought the car but il be changing oil and filters soon!

[Adammcf]

Easy job, everythings so easy to work on a rwd car.
Did mine last weekend.

[Brianmoooore]

The inspection light (clock symbol) + inspection is purely a 12 month timer, and will light up 12 months after it was last reset. It serves as a reminder for annual service things.
The green LEDs extinguish one by one with mileage, but at a faster rate when the engine is cold or a certain rev level is exceeded. When the last LED goes out, then oil service and inspection will light, + a yellow LED to indicate that a service and oil change is due. After a week IIRC the yellow LED will be replaced by a red one.
The state of any of these lights does not have any effect at all on the running of the car, they are only reminders.
To reset these lights you have to remove the cover of the sevice connector socket under the bonnet ( big round socket, position varies with model), identify pin 7, and short this to the car body. Sit in the car, switch on the ignition, and after a certain number of seconds, the lights will reset. Various posts have been made on the exact times.
There can be two types of circuit boards fitted in the instrument cluster for this system, one with two Ni Cd batteries fitted, and one with two lithium batteries fitted.
The Ni Cd batteries frequently fail with age, giving the symptoms of being unable to reset the lights. Unfortunately this can also affect the rev counter and temp gauges as well.

[sabrje]

My lights have been working normally and have got down to the yellow light being always on. Last night driving home the red light came on so I know that its time for the service. However, this morning I've just got the yellow light again - wierd....

[Wyldie]

Thats the whole point its not an annoying light that is there for the fun of it. Depending on what lights up at the end of the green cycle is what the car needs or "thinks" it needs doing depending on whether the lights have been reset before. Mine had Inspection 1 last time then was reset and is now counting down again with 3 green lights remaining.

Best thing to do is look at when the car was last serviced and if it needs it doing then get it done and the mechanic or dealer will reset the lights.

[nate]

Easy job, everythings so easy to work on a rwd car.
Did mine last weekend.

Whats the procedure??

Is it easy if your a newbie like me??

How much oil etc