SES on after driving thru water

hsj · #1 12-15-2009, 09:07 PM

I searched the forum but didn't find any info that helps. Anyway, last week I drove my 04 X3 thru a big pond of rain water on the highway and soon after that the Service Engine Soon light lit up. I bought a "CodeKey" OBD II scanner from Costco and was about to plug it in to the OBD port. However, it seems like that the OBD connection that's right above the hood release latch is not the same shape as the connector on the OBD II scanner. Since I couldn't figure out where or how to plug that in correctly I decided to visit my local AutoZone but the two guys there were just as confused as I am.

Can someone please tell me if I need an adapter in order to plug it in? Also, any idea what could be triggering the SES since I am pretty sure it came on minutes after the car drove thru the pond of rain water. Please help me!!! I want to know what the problem is before I hit the road to Vermont on a ski trip this Saturday.

This is the scanner that I bought.

Code:

http://www.amazon.com/CodeKey-Engine-Diagnostic-Tool-Board/dp/B0025ZHF9W

Edit: Well, I just figured it out. You need to pull the plastic cover off after opening that little door. Tricky engineers!! Anyway, my cheapo codekey scanner gave an "error" instead of spitting out some codes. I went back to my local AutoZone and they scanned it for me with a Actron 9175 scanner.

Sponsored Links

kenza · #2 12-16-2009, 07:58 AM

Ok, and what did come out?

Mtech · #3 12-17-2009, 04:23 PM

did you turn the ignition on?

hsj · #4 12-17-2009, 11:24 PM

Kenza - I got the 171 & 174 codes "System too lean". I didn't take out the MAF but did check around the intake boot with no visible cracks.

Mtech - I turned the key to "on" but didn't start the engine. The little Codekey reader gave an error during reading & erasing.

I tried to get the guy from Autozone to reset the SES for me but they gave me some BS and refused to do it. I took my car to a local mechanic that my father uses and he did it for me. I just want to get it reset and see if it would come back again, just because I think the SES lit due to the puddle that I drove through.

codog11 · #5 12-18-2009, 09:05 PM

I had both of those codes and bmw replaced the maf sensor under warranty.

hasn't come back since -almost a year now

m5james · #6 12-18-2009, 10:31 PM

What where the P codes from the Autozone scanner? Personally, unless it was either the Peake tools or a homemade version of the same system BMW uses at the stealerships, I wouldn't waste my money on any scanners...especially when your local parts store will do it for free and at least get you into the ballpark. As for the guy not resetting the codes, he's just being a tool. They tried the same thing on me before, so after that I've learned to just give them my drivers license and tell them that I'll do it myself.

Report back when you have actual P codes, so don't go replacing anything just yet.

hsj · #7 12-22-2009, 11:43 PM

I drove the car for 600+ miles after my mechanic reset the SES and it hasn't come back.

hsj · #8 02-04-2010, 01:12 PM

I took the plunge and bought the Peake scanner after the SES came back for the 2nd time. Got a "2882 - mixture preparation bank 1" code. Did a bit of research and someone seems to suggest that it might be caused by the air filter.

Code:

I have a x3 with the service engine light on. co... - JustAnswer

I replaced the air filter about 200-300 miles before the SES first came on. The filter was ordered on autohausaz.com and this is the one with the pre-filter layer on top. The new filter seems a tiny bit larger than the old one and it took some effort to put the housing back. I think I'll get an OEM filter and replace it to see if that helps. If not, I will clean the MAF with some MAF cleaner. Any other suggestions?

Sponsored Links