BMW E46 car warning lights, car warning symbols such as engine management light, ABS light, airbag light this guide will help you. We have created this BMW E46 dashboard lights meaning guide and will show you how to deal with an engine light, airbag warning light, ABS light and all of the other car warning signs on your dashboard. You might need to buy a scanner online which will show BMW trouble codes & reset the warning light for good!
If you need to reset a dashboard light or diagnose a fault on your BMW we would recommend the BMW iCarsoft i910 which will allow you to diagnose & reset BMW trouble codes and warning lights in the main systems engine, ABS, airbags, transmission and much more.
If you need new sensors to fix your BMW E46 3 Series such as ABS sensor, MAF, camshaft & crankshaft, visit www.bavariandominator.co.uk
If you need to reset a dashboard light or diagnose a fault on your BMW we would recommend the BMW iCarsoft i910 which will allow you to diagnose & reset BMW trouble codes and warning lights in the main systems engine, ABS, airbags, transmission and much more.
If you need new sensors to fix your BMW E46 3 Series such as ABS sensor, MAF, camshaft & crankshaft, visit www.bavariandominator.co.uk
BMW E46 3 Series Engine management light or EML - Possible problem with the vehicle engine or a sensor may need replacing. Because this light has been illuminated on your dashboard, your vehicle will have stored a code which you need to retreive in order to fix the problem, or find the source of the problem. You can find these code readers on our BMW code reader page, and for the BMW E46 we recommend the BMW iCarsoft i910 code reader which will allow you to read & clear BMW trouble codes and reset the dashboard warning lights. The i910 will read manufacturer specific fault codes and generic fault codes, exactly like they will do in the official BMW workshops.
BMW E46 EML warning light - the EML stands for Engine Management Light and if illuminated indicates there is a fault within the engine module. You can diagnose & clear the warning light by using the BMW iCarsoft i910 diagnostic kit. The fault could be relating to a faulty part such as O2 sensor, igniton coil.
BMW E46 3 Series SRS airbag warning light - This is the common airbag light symbol which will illuminate on your BMW dashboard. If this light is lit up it means there is a problem in the airbag SRS system (supplimental restraint system) and you need to get this checked out. The good news is that it can be done cheaply. If your BMW was made between 1994 & 2003 you need to use our B800 BMW airbag reset tool - it is a simple plug & play device which plugs into your OBD diagnostic port (either under the dashboard near the steering wheel, or within the engine compartment) The tool will reset the code, remove the dashboard light and even comes with a code book to tell you where the problem was in the first place. If your bmw was made after 2003 you will need to use the BMW iCarsoft i910 Here you can watch a video of the iCarsoft i910 tool resetting the BMW airbag light - The i910 is also available from our BMW airbag light section and will also read trouble codes & problem codes from other modules such as engine & ABS.
BMW E46 3 Series ABS warning light - Anti-Lock Brakes, indicates a fault in the anti lock brake system. It could be that an ABS sensor needs to be replaced immediately. The BMW iCarsoft i910 fault scan tool will tell you which ABS sensor you need to replace. If you do need to replace a sensor - please visit www.bavariandominator.co.uk who have all the ABS sensors you need. Look further down this page to see the other dash lights which show up when you need to replace an ABS sensor. You can also view our guide on how to change BMW E46 ABS sensor.
BMW E46 3 Series brake warning light - this brake symbol will illuminate if the handbrake is applied or in the ON position. The brake warning symbol can also illuminate alongside the ABS and traction (ASC/DSC) warning lights, which generally indicates a fault with the an ABS sensor. See the ABS section on this page for more info.
BMW E46 3 Series traction control OFF. Warning that the traction control has been turned off and is no longer active. This warning symbol can flash if driving over road conditions like ice or snow. If the warning light is permanently on, you can diagnose the faulty DSC/ASC system by using the BMW iCarsoft i910
BMW E46 3 Series brake pad wear - brakepads are worn and need to be replaced as soon as possible. If you have replaced your brake pads and the dash light is still illuminated, you will need to visit www.bavariandominator.co.uk to get replacement sensors.
BMW E46 3 Series cooling system or coolant light - stop when safe, check and top up coolant as needed. Check also for coolant leaks under the engine because a cracked or split e46 expansion tank is quite common. In this case the cooling system needs to be drained and a new tank installed which is generally a DIY job if you feel confident.
BWM E46 3 Series low oil pressure warning light - check oil pressure immediately & add oil upto the correct level. If you have added oil and the light remaims, or the light stays on for an extened period of time after start up, you will need to replace the oil level sensor which can be found by visiting www.bavariandominator.co.uk
BMW E46 3 Series battery charge is low. Do not drive for long distances and have it checked by a professional immediately. It could be a battery which needs to be replaced, or it could be another issue like a faulty alternator.
For the whole of the BMW E46 3 series range, we highly recommend the BMW iCarsoft i910. It will plug into your diagnostic port under the dashboard below the steering wheel. It will also give you information on the initial problem and then turn off the warning lights.
1. E46 Fuel Gauge
2. E46 Flashing turn indicators
3. E46 speedometer
4. E46 Telltale & warning lights
5. E46 Revolution counter & energy control
6. E46 Coolant thermometer
7. E46 Telltale & warning lights
8. E46 Adjusting knob for time, service indicator & outside temperature display
9. E46 Selector level position for automatic vehicles
10. E46 Display for trip meter, distance recorder, clock, service interval, on board computer, mpg etc
11. E46 Check contol
12. E46 Trip distance control zeroing
13. E46 Telltale & warning lights
You can also view a short video we took of the BMW dashboard & lights/symbols taken directly from the BMW manual.
Here we have a video of all of the E46 dash warning lights all on at the same time - quite a cool trick
If you see the following light appear on your BMW, the chances are you need to replace an ABS sensor. You are advised to use the BMW iCarsoft i910 to find out which ABS sensor needs to be replaced, and then visit www.bavariandominator.co.uk to find the BMW ABS sensor for your vehicle
1. E46 Fuel Gauge
2. E46 Flashing turn indicators
3. E46 speedometer
4. E46 Telltale & warning lights
5. E46 Revolution counter & energy control
6. E46 Coolant thermometer
7. E46 Telltale & warning lights
8. E46 Adjusting knob for time, service indicator & outside temperature display
9. E46 Selector level position for automatic vehicles
10. E46 Display for trip meter, distance recorder, clock, service interval, on board computer, mpg etc
11. E46 Check contol
12. E46 Trip distance control zeroing
13. E46 Telltale & warning lights
You can also view a short video we took of the BMW dashboard & lights/symbols taken directly from the BMW manual.
Here we have a video of all of the E46 dash warning lights all on at the same time - quite a cool trick
If you see the following light appear on your BMW, the chances are you need to replace an ABS sensor. You are advised to use the BMW iCarsoft i910 to find out which ABS sensor needs to be replaced, and then visit www.bavariandominator.co.uk to find the BMW ABS sensor for your vehicle
