Service Engine Soon Light On -- Need Help

[BradATL]

This morning, when I started my 2005 X5 4.4i, the "Service Engine Soon" light started blinking immediately after I started the engine. The engine made a strange noise and ran very roughly for about 10 seconds.

I shut down the engine and checked the oil level and checked under the vehicle for leaks. The oil level was fine and no leaks. I also checked the gas cap to confirm it was on tight. It was.

So I started it back up. It ran fine, but the Service Engine Soon light remained on -- this time the light was solid, not blinking. None of the other idiot lights (such as oil pressure) are on. The temperature gauge is in the normal range.

I decided to drive it to work (only 1.5 miles). It drove fine -- no loss of power, smooth as ever. But the light remained on.

The service interval lights are still in the "green" range, so it isn't telling me that its time for a normal service visit.

I called my Service Advisor. Got her voice mail and left her a message, but haven't heard back.

Anyone else experience anything like this before?

[gotabyte]

Try bringing it to a local auto parts store and ask them to read the ODB codes. They do it for free. You can post usually find what those codes mean from the prinout they offer or look online. There are BMW specific codes that you can relay to the dealer. This should lead you in some direction.