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Dudley78 · #1 12-05-2008, 02:42 PM

PLEASE HELP! I just bough my wife a 2002 3.0i. Other than a 1976 2002 I had in high school this is my first BMW. It only has 28k miles on it and the SES light came on 10 days ago. I tested it and it gave me code p1447. Remembering when the salesman filled it up he kept it running, I was assuming that this is why the light came on. I had the dealership reset the SES light and now on Thanksgiving on the way back from the in-laws the light came on again. So needless to say it went back to the dealership. When I called today to see what the problem was the service mgr. told me he could not do a full diagnostic on it b/c it had a full take of gas. I did not really understand the reasoning behind that but I have it back at the house with the light off. What should I do if the light comes back on?

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UCrewX5 · #2 12-05-2008, 02:55 PM

That code translates to:

P1447 Diagnostic Module Tank Leakage (DM-TL) Pump Too High During Switching
P1447 EVAP Control System Purge Flow Monitoring

What that means in laymans terms is beyond me

The description doesn't sound all that serious, so hopefully getting it fixed is a minimal cost.

:xoutpost:

Dudley78 · #3 12-05-2008, 03:03 PM

So far not a penny has been spent. I just don't want this to turn to something big. I guess I'm just a worry wart!

BGM · #4 12-05-2008, 03:14 PM

Sometimes if the gas cap wasn't on securely one of the lights comes on (not sure which one). Once you drive for like 100 miles the light is supposed to re-set again and come off. Maybe that was it. Not sure.

Dudley78 · #5 12-05-2008, 04:12 PM

I guess my real question is why could the dealership not do anything about the light coming on the second time because the gas tank was full. He said they like the fuel level to be about half tank to do a diagnostic on it. So I guess I am going to have to wait another 5 days or so for it to come on and then drive it till it has 1/2 tank to get it in so they can tell me what the real problem is....does not make any since to me. He also told me the his code was different than the one I got. He was not too sure on the code but thought the tech. said it was E8!!!???, but was not too sure on that.

JCL · #6 12-05-2008, 04:29 PM

The fuel tank is vented to a closed system to prevent gasoline evaporating into the atmosphere. That system has numerous valves and controls built into it. Essentially, it is still just a vent on the fuel tank though.

The codes the UCrew listed relate to that evaporative control system. The dealer could try and test the system, but it seems they would have had to siphon half your fuel off to do that, and would prefer not to do so. I am just guessing, but I think the test may involve pressurizing the vent system, and they need air space in the tank (not fuel) to do that.

If the light comes back on, drive it until it is down to a half tank and make an appointment at the dealer. If you have to refuel, don't fill it above half until the dealer has done their test.

Don't worry, it doesn't sound major.

Dudley78 · #7 12-05-2008, 04:39 PM

Thanks JCL! Will do, I guess it's just a waiting game now.

curley · #8 12-07-2008, 12:46 AM

Hey just to chime in, I saw this before on E46fanatics. It appears that a sensor is dirty and need to be cleaned. Here is the link http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...ighlight=p1447

Does not seem like something that you really need to worry about. It appears to be more irritating than anything else. Hope this helps.

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