Low Oil Pressure; Check Engine Warning Light; Towíng; Brake Fluid - BMW 3 1992 Service Manual

If steam is coming from the engine compartment thenthere is
With the engine and ignition off, check for loose or corroded
most likely a burst coolant hose or a large leak in the cooling
battery cables or wires at the battery or the altemator. Discon-
system . To find the leak, look for signs of coolant leakage on
necting, cleaning, and reinstalling corroded wires and connec-
hoses, at hose connections, or on the radiator. Let the engine
tors may solve the problem. Also check drive belt tension as
cool thoroughly, then add coolant or water to fill the system and
described in 020 Maintenance Program.
start the engine. If a great deal of water or coolant flows out of
the hole, then the car should not be driven until repairs are
made . lf there is slight seepage, then it may be possible to drive
TOWi
ng
a short distance, adding coolant as needed .
The cars covered by this manual should be towed with
a
tow
truck using wheel lift or flat bed equipment. Do not tow the car
on all four wheels except forvery short distances to move it to a
safe place.
If the red engine oil pressure warning light illuminates, imme-
diately stop the car and turn off the engine . Have the vehicle
A towing eye is provided in the luggage compartment tool kit .
flat-bedded or towed to an authorized service center and have The towing eye can be screwed into the front or rear bumper .
the engine oil pressure checked. See Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 .
Low Oil Pressure
NOTE-
Detafed information on checking the oil pressure is
covered ín 119
Lubrication System .
Brake Fluid Leve¡
The brake fluid leve¡ warning light may be an indicator of
brake fluid loss. Problems with the brake system should be
checked and repaired immediately . See 340 Brakes for more
information .
Check Engine Warning Light
Dim Lights
FUNDAMENTALS FOR THE DO-IT YOURSELF OWNER 01 0-13
If the "CHECK ENGI NE" warning light comes on or flashes, it
indicates that an emissions-related fault has occurred . Faults
such as a failed oxygen sensor or a faulty fuel injectorcan tum
the light on, causing the exhaust or evaporative emissions to
exceed a specified limit. The engine can be safely driven with
the light on, although the emission systems should be checked
as soon as possible . See 100 Engine-General for more infor-
mation on the Check Engine Light and the On-board diagnostic
system .
Headlights and instrument panel illumination that are dim or
gradually getting dimmer generally indicate a problem with the
battery or charging system . The battery charge indicator light
may come on as the lights are dimming. In either case, the en-
gine and accessories are running off of the battery alone, and
will soon discharge it altogether.
If possible, do not stop the engine unless you have the capa-
bility to jump start ¡t. There may not be enough power in the
starting system to restartthe engine . Instead, turn off as many
electrical consumers as possible . This will reduce the current
drain and
will
allow the car to be driven farther before you lose
all battery power.
Fig. 18. Pry open rear tow lúg access panel .
When towing the car from the front with the rear wheels on
the ground, a maximum distance of 20 miles is acceptable . If
the car needs to be towed further, have the rear wheels placed
on dollies.
CA UTION-
" Do not tow with sling-type equipment The front
spoilers and bumper covers may sustain dam-
age .
" Towíng a BMW with an automatic transmission
with the rear wheels on the ground can resuft in
transmission damage due to lack of lubrication
and should be avoided.
0013128
EMERGENCIES