My BMW Has a Yellow Warning Light On The Dash – What Does It Mean?

Reader Question I have been suffering for about 6 months….My mechanic for the last 25 yrs died..and I’m lost. I bought this little car new…and I know every little sound it makes,….good or bad…

Now for the last few weeks, during driving, a light comes on …it is under the odometer….has an exclamation point in it and a little “wreath ” looking symbol around it…I don’t know what it is and I’m not willing to go to a dealership…they have choked my last $1200.00 …when the light is on my car loses acceleration, chugs and coughs a bit…I cut of the motor. Cut it back on no lite and everything’s great….then about 300 miles later it did it again…

Please shed some light on the light….what is it telling me??

Thanks
Pat

Hi Pat

If this light is yellow, I would suspect that you have some kind of emissions type of problem….like a faulty oxygen sensor or something like that. If this light is red…..you need to have the car looked at IMMEDIATELY. You really need to find a BMW mechanic, those cars are “special” and you really have to know what you are doing in order to repair them, especially with computer related issues like you have.

I would start making some phone calls and make some in person visits in your quest for a new mechanic. I probably would get a second opinion on this light issue as well before I commit to the repair with someone I am not familiar with. Having the dealer at least diagnose the problem for you might be money well spent in the long run for a proper diagnosis.

Have you read my article on check engine lights?

Check Engine Light

Austin C. Davis

2 Comments on "My BMW Has a Yellow Warning Light On The Dash – What Does It Mean?"

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  1. Tim says:

    The light is telling you that the transmission is operating in a failsafe mode that resembles Manual operation. It indicates a problem with the transmission. I have a 2004 325i with the same light on right now. I’m thinking it’s low fluid but don’t have the means to check the level properly as BMW says to check it on the side of the transmission with it at operating temperature.

  2. richard says:

    if the car has traction control the indicator will come on when the tires slip. check the manuel

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