Flashing Orange 'Engine Sign' ..HELP!!

[JoshGM]

My 4.6 flashes orange engine sign on the cluster when I accelerate (3 days now), yesterday it came on when i started the car and in all cases it disappears after 30 sec of so... guys any idea?

The only things the tech changed last week were sparkplugs and airfilters.

[Weasel]

Flashing engine light means only one thing... misfire. If you just had spark plugs changed and it is now misfiring I'd say the shop needs a call. You will get the diagnosis done for free at the very least. It is most likely either a cracked porcelain on a spark plug (which requires careful extraction to keep pieces from getting in the cylinder) or a coil is going out. If it is a coil that can be confirmed by swapping it to another cylinder and seeing if the fault follows it.

[1stE53]

Originally Posted by Weasel

Flashing engine light means only one thing... misfire. If you just had spark plugs changed and it is now misfiring I'd say the shop needs a call. You will get the diagnosis done for free at the very least. It is most likely either a cracked porcelain on a spark plug (which requires careful extraction to keep pieces from getting in the cylinder) or a coil is going out. If it is a coil that can be confirmed by swapping it to another cylinder and seeing if the fault follows it.

Damn you are good.

[DrunkenNinja]

Originally Posted by 1stE53

Damn you are good.

Have any ideas about the Hard downshift Transmission problems many members have when gently slowing to a stop?

[JoshGM]

Originally Posted by Weasel

Flashing engine light means only one thing... misfire. If you just had spark plugs changed and it is now misfiring I'd say the shop needs a call. You will get the diagnosis done for free at the very least. It is most likely either a cracked porcelain on a spark plug (which requires careful extraction to keep pieces from getting in the cylinder) or a coil is going out. If it is a coil that can be confirmed by swapping it to another cylinder and seeing if the fault follows it.

Damn! That sounds on the spot! For sure this started when the plugs got changed, I am at almost 272km from the nearest (good) shop BMW included. I need to take it there for a check, it just irritates on the face when you are with... you know... in the car and they go like... whats wrong with your car... that flicking (freaking!) light!?!

Thanks Wizzy Weasel!...

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by DrunkenNinja

Have any ideas about the Hard downshift Transmission problems many members have when gently slowing to a stop?

Possibly the transmission valve body assembly. I had this problem and a replacement VB assembly took care of it.

[Weasel]

Originally Posted by 1stE53

Damn you are good.

Comes with the job. (almost 6 years at dealer now)

As for the harsh downshift etc, it varies case by case... for some software update alone works for years, for some quick fluid drain and fill + reset adaptations or programming works for years, for some the mechatronics control unit (built into the valve body) does it, for other poor bastards it takes a complete trans rebuild. It all has to do with the amount of internal wear on certain parts, the condition of the fluid, etc. And being that everything including shifts is computer controlled nowadays the software and adaptations can mess with you constantly. (I miss the old days when a simple vacuum line to a modulator and hydraulic pressure controlled it all)

[papasmurf]

I'm betting it's a coil pack. If it is, do it yourself. You can replace all 8 with a 10mm socket and an allen key to take off the top engine cover.

[Nik]

Originally Posted by Weasel

the condition of the fluid, etc.

does the Tranny oil needs to be changed?

[Weasel]

Not till about 100k, but earlier if rough conditions like all city driving. But it's always a craps shoot with the fluid change dilemma depending on individual circumstances.