BMW Service Indicator (SI) Lights

Four common questions asked are

1. How do the SI Lights work?
2. How do I reset them without paying the dealer a small fortune?
3. I tried to reset them but nothing happened! Why?
4. My SI lights are not lighting up. Why?

How do they work?

http://www.peakeresearch.com/silights.htm - www.peakeresearch.com/silights.htm

Just remember that there is no fixed period between lights changing – it all depends on how the car was driven since it was last reset – BMW’s think for themselves!

The S.I. lights take a number of factors into consideration, i.e. mileage, road speed, engine speed, engine temperature, time elapsed (parked or in motion)etc. However, from reset back to red often lasts about 4,000 miles.

On older models (unsure about newer ones!) the lights count down until the last green goes out and on comes a yellow. When this happens you should be able to see whether the car wants an oil service or an inspection (I or II)

Resetting your Service Indicator Lights
http://www.peakeresearch.com/compatibility.htm - How To Find Your Diagnostic Connector
Reset options:

1^st option is to get hold of a service reset tool (available from many sources such as http://www.eurocarparts.com/ - Euro Car Parts & http://www.gsfcarparts.com/ - German & Swedish ) for a reasonable price. These tools should come with instructions and will allow you to reset your car for an oil service or a major service (I & II). These tools are usually about UK£15.

The other option is to perform a DIY reset using a short piece of fused wire. If you perform this, then be careful as you can easily fry your ECU!

http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00042&Section=02 - www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00042&Section=02

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/repair_faqs/sil.html - www.unofficialbmw.com/repair_faqs/sil.html

2001 onwards - http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e46/forum.php?postid=4516038&page=1 - http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e46/forum.php?postid=4516038&page=1

I tried to reset them but nothing happened! Why?

See below!

My SI lights are not lighting up. Why?

Your service indicator batteries have most likely died. What I mean is that the rechargeable batteries powering the SI board have  come to the end of their working life and need replacing.

Another symptom of the SI board not working (at least on E30 models) is that the rev counter, temperature gauge and the economy gauge all stop working.

These batteries are soldered in place and need to be removed and replaced with similar batteries.

If you can’t use a solder then try replacing them (like me) [ http://e30m3performance.com/maintenance/SI_Board/SI_Board.htm - http://e30m3performance.com/maintenance/SI_Board/SI_Board.htm ]

However, if you do want to try replacing them yourself, then have a look at the following links:-

http://bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00043&Section=02 - http://bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00043&Section=02

http://bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00044&Section=02 - http://bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00044&Section=02

http://bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00045&Section=02 - http://bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00045&Section=02

http://bmwe32.student.utwente.nl/johan/tips_tricks.html - http://bmwe32.student.utwente.nl/johan/tips_tricks.html

Good Luck!

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The BMW Car Club GB is not liable for any damage caused following these procedures or recommendations. If you are not sure then leave it to the experts!