So I got one of these this morning, and needless to say it couldn't come at a worse time. Is there anything quick and easy I can check, or am I doomed to take it in?
Check your oil and everything else. Or you could drill out the light in your dash but that may look a bit messy.
Oil's a bit on the low end of the stick, but not below the lower mark. Coolant is just fine. The only thing that's low is the washer fluid.
If you are still under warranty swing by the dealer. Have them read the code & proceed with the repair. If not read the code & report back here for more help. If you can't read the code swing by Best Motor Werks & ask John to read the code for you. Report your findings back here. If all of the above can't be done use some black tape. Much cleaner than Dave's suggestion & 100% reversible.
When my SES light came on, I took the MINI to Autozone to have the code scanned (free, and open on Sunday), and read. Their scanner threw out a P113C code. They could not find anything for that code in their database. I took it to a mechanic that I trust, and he had to hook it up to a laptop with BMW Code "reader" installed. Turns out that it was a bad oxygen sensor.
Autozone tool are useless for specific Manufacture codes. One of these works great and they are cheaper now only $179. I have the $287 enthusiasts version and it works with a PC laptop (no Apple) and you can even reset the adaptives. Its says you can only use it for 1-3 cars based on VIN # but if you never register a VIN you can use it on as many cars as you want and I have. See Link option #3 Bavarian Technic Software - Products for sale
If it is a generic OBD II code Autozone may pick it up. Like has been said mfr specific codes will not. Call John Best & see how late they are open. Tell John Crashton sent you from M/A.
I'll have to drop it off tonight after they close, I get out of work well after they're done for the day. I've been there before, they replaced my clutch a couple of years ago, did a nice job too.
Stopped by Autozone over lunch, and they were very happy to hook up the reader. Sadly it reported "No Codes." *sigh* I bet this is going to be either something stupid like a loose hose, or something terrible. There's no in-between.
Just heard from Best - John's not sure yet what it is. It might be a bad waste gate, so he asked permission to do a little more diagnostics than usual. Here's hoping.
Sooooo. bad news. It's the turbo assembly which needs to be rebuilt. It's going to cost well over $2,000 and I think it may inspire me to actually sell the car once it's done. I can't keep putting that kind of money into it every year or so. I just don't have the means.