Bad O2 sensor
 

Is it possible for the Check Engine Light to be triggered by an overdue
oil change? For example: diriving around with a red oil light for 3
months in the cold? Just wondering. And will an oil change fix the
problem and make the light go off? Or does that sensor now have to be
changed? Thank you in advance.

Why would you drive for 3 months in cold weather on dirty oil?
Richard
"madloof72" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Is it possible for the Check Engine Light to be triggered by an overdue
> oil change? For example: diriving around with a red oil light for 3
> months in the cold? Just wondering. And will an oil change fix the
> problem and make the light go off? Or does that sensor now have to be
> changed? Thank you in advance.
>

On 5 Mar 2005 15:03:30 -0800, "madloof72" >
wrote:

>Is it possible for the Check Engine Light to be triggered by an overdue
>oil change? For example: diriving around with a red oil light for 3
>months in the cold? Just wondering. And will an oil change fix the
>problem and make the light go off? Or does that sensor now have to be
>changed? Thank you in advance.

The red oil light is an 'advisory' warning, and can safely be ignored
for three to six months of average mileage driving.

If you change the oil within in the next eight to ten thousand miles
or so then you'll be inside the BMW approved red oil light warning
window. Therefore, depending on what mileage you do, you should make
plans to do an oil and filter change before early next year.

Modern engine oils are designed to keep working well after the red
light comes on. Don't let the car makers convince you otherwise.
They're "in bed" with the oil companies, and they just want you to buy
more oil. It's a bit like the battery companies telling you that you
need to put a new battery in your smoke detector every year, when we
all know that the battery's good for at least five years.
--
Dean Dark

I didn't. I lent the car to my brother and he did and I have thanked
him for it.

But is this the cause of the CEL light? And will an oil change fix it?

madloof72 wrote:
> Is it possible for the Check Engine Light to be triggered by an overdue
> oil change? For example: diriving around with a red oil light for 3
> months in the cold? Just wondering. And will an oil change fix the
> problem and make the light go off? Or does that sensor now have to be
> changed? Thank you in advance.
>
The two are not related. The Check Engine light indicates a error in the
computer control system. It can be many things. You need to have the
error code read to see what the error is.

"Dean Dark" > wrote in message
...
> The red oil light is an 'advisory' warning, and can safely be ignored
> for three to six months of average mileage driving.

> It's a bit like the battery companies telling you that you
> need to put a new battery in your smoke detector every year, when we
> all know that the battery's good for at least five years.

What in the wide, wide, world of sports are you talking about?
Richard

I know what the error code it. Its 1221 which is the 02 sensor.

> I didn't. I lent the car to my brother and he did and I have thanked
> him for it.

My father always said: There are two things, you should never lend: cars and
women.

Mark

"madloof72" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Is it possible for the Check Engine Light to be triggered by an
> overdue
> oil change? For example: diriving around with a red oil light for
> 3
> months in the cold? Just wondering. And will an oil change fix the
> problem and make the light go off? Or does that sensor now have to
> be
> changed? Thank you in advance.
>

No, and no.

-Fred W

"madloof72" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I know what the error code it. Its 1221 which is the 02 sensor.
>

Then you also (now?) know that it a faulty O2 sensor reading is not
due to an overdue oil change. How many miles on the car? If around
100k miles or moire, then it is quite likely a tired sensor. But
those puppoies aren't cheap and (depending on the model and year)
there are multiple (up to 4) of them in the system. Might be best to
have it diagnosed before thowing > $400 in O2 sensors at it, UNLESS it
is due to have them replaced anyway. ISTR that 100k miles is the
magic number in most cases.

-Fred W