Help, re-setting service indicator

[henry161]

Alternatively, type in bmw reset tool on fleabay and take your pick - they are dirt cheap.

[theirongiant]

I essentially followed these instructions:

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/repair_faqs/sil.html

I tried it with speaker wire, a paper clip, and multimeter leads. Nothing. Please note that the "time" inspection indicator is not lit; my car is merely telling me that I needed to do an Inspection Service. It has just over 200k miles now.

Some reports say that the service lights won't reset if the battery is dead. Furthermore, in case of a dead battery it has been said that the fuel gauge and tach would no longer work reliably.

My battery is probably not dead, for these three reasons:
*The Service Light has been counting down steadily for 6 months
*The tach is working
*The fuel gauge and range calculator are also operational.

[Bill R.]

leads, wait the time interval , disconnect the leads and put the cap back on the connector, then turn key off, turn key back on and check to see if the lights have reset.

I essentially followed these instructions:

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/repair_faqs/sil.html

I tried it with speaker wire, a paper clip, and multimeter leads. Nothing. Please note that the "time" inspection indicator is not lit; my car is merely telling me that I needed to do an Inspection Service. It has just over 200k miles now.

Some reports say that the service lights won't reset if the battery is dead. Furthermore, in case of a dead battery it has been said that the fuel gauge and tach would no longer work reliably.

My battery is probably not dead, for these three reasons:
*The Service Light has been counting down steadily for 6 months
*The tach is working
*The fuel gauge and range calculator are also operational.

[632 Regal]

thats exactly how mine worked.

leads, wait the time interval , disconnect the leads and put the cap back on the connector, then turn key off, turn key back on and check to see if the lights have reset.

[theirongiant]

Thanks, I will give that a try.


edit: hooray! That did the trick.

1993:
- Open hood, remove diagnostic port cover
- Insert ignition key, turn to position 2
- Insert heavy-gauge bare wire into pins 7 and 19, making contact
- Wait 15 seconds
- Remove wire
- Verify that 5 green SIL lights are now on
- Do the happy dance because you just saved money!
- Turn key off.
- Replace diagnostic port cover, close hood.

[Ross]

Ihave always used a test light between pin 7 and ground. Sometimes it takes more than 1 try though.

[zhandax]

On a 540i that is the trick; short it with the ignition hot. Worked first time. Just for quick reference, pins 7 and 19 are 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock from the passenger seat. (if, like me, you needed a magnifying glass to see the numbers)

[TheEndIsNear]

i just shorted pins 7 and 19 with the ignition off turned the ignition to the run position for 10 sec removed the key removed the wire and fired her up she was good to go after that...

[Ross]

Any garage that can't reset the service light shouldn't be working on your car.
Find someone familiar with your car, meanwhile ground through a test lamp terminal 7 in the diagnostic port.