need help with reading codes

[doristars]

hi i have a 1991 318is uk spec

i,ve tried the padel test and carn,t get it to work?  to read fault codes

also i was going to make my own check bulb and test using pin 8 to work check light , but i have no connection in pin 8 ?:confused:

any idea,s wouls be greatly thanked

[Cobra Jet]

You can pull codes by turning the key to "on" (KOEO - key on engine off) and you will then need to press down the gas pedal 5 times consecutively within 5 seconds. If you depress the gas pedal too slow or too fast, you won't get the CEL (check engine light) to blink in the dash cluster... It may take a few tries to "get it", just try and depress the gas pedal with the same rythm 5 times.  If you do it correctly, what will happen next is the CEL will start to blink any stored codes. You will need to count the CEL flashes and then once you have the codes, you can determine what may be causing any problems...

For instance, if there are no faults or stored codes, the CEL will produce:
blink -pause- blink, blink, blink, blink -pause- blink, blink, blink, blink -pause- blink, blink, blink, blink (this is the no fault code of "1444").

Get yourself a pen & paper to write down what the CEL does.

Here is a link to the Motronic codes: http://ee1394.com/bmw/docs/bmwDTCodes.pdf

[doristars]

sorry but i,ve tried the pedal test 40 times and no check light at all ?

i,m pussled:confused:

[RED IS 91]

Reading codes was only for cars in North America I believe .You can't read codes on European cars.
I may be wrong .

[Cobra Jet]

Reading codes was only for cars in North America I believe .You can't read codes on European cars.
I may be wrong .

Wow, if true - that's interesting... ?  So, if true, then folks overseas can only pull codes with a Code Reader (or have to rely on a shop)?

[doristars]

o dear thats were it get expensive!!!!!!!!!

thanks for the info