Ok, I know I read about this somewhere, but I cannot find it and I am not sure I know what I'm doing anyway.

I have 2005 Cooper hardtop. It has less than 72K miles. I have started busing it to work so the last couple of weeks I have only been driving it less than 3 miles a day. Over the weekend the Service engine soon light came on. I looked it up here and someone suggested checking the gas cap first - which I did - and it went off immediately, but then came back on a few miles later.

I am taking it in for a service (due to the recall) a week on Thursday. Is that fine? Should I try and get in earlier? Is there anything to worry about, some seemed to suggest the light could be a glitch (once it comes on it needs to be reset).

I know I'm sure this is stupid. Thoughts?

M

 

Service engine light or Check engine light? Is two different animals. Got out the manual and find the icon you're seeing. It will tell you what you need to do..

 

Is it red or orange?
red - stop NOW.
orange - maybe it can wait a short time.

 

It is the Service Engine Soon light. It is yellow/orange not red. The manual says you don't have to stop immediately but you should take to the dealer.... So really not a whole lot.

In another thread some folks seemed to suggest checking the gas cap... Which I did... It was loose... I tightened, the light immediately went out. Then I drove a little bit and it came back on.

 

Could be a number of things like an O2 sensor, etc. If you want you can go to a local Autozone and have them plug in to read what fault may be present or just wait until your appointment tomorrow. Some info in this NAM thread HERE.