Stubborn Service Engine Soon Light

1er_vert · 11-03-2016, 08:12 PM

Recently got the SES light, this week. I scanned and came up with P0442 Small Evap Leak code. I also noticed some moisture under the gas cap, inside the fill port. The green cap seals were also dry. I replaced the gas cap with the newer, improved (blue seals) version. Code P0442 remains OFF....but why is SES light still on?

How can I clear the SES light? All the YouTube videos suck. Car is 2010 128i auto.

TIA

Matticus91 · 11-04-2016, 08:59 AM

Go to any autozone and they'll do it for free

1er_vert · 11-04-2016, 12:18 PM

Autozone is not a Certified Diagnostic center. They can only scan the code...not clear it.

JimD · 11-05-2016, 07:21 PM

Autozone can do it as can my $5 torque application for a phone or, as I run it, a tablet. My cheap Harbor Freight scanner also clears codes, including those for my BMW. I am also getting the "small evaporative leak" code and I have cleared it but it comes back. I used to hear the pump that pulls the vacuum the sensor looks for but I do not hear it now. I am thus pretty sure that the pump is not functional. At best, the part is nearly $100 and I don't know exactly where it is, but I haven't looked. If I take it to get it fixed, I figure it will be over $200 so I haven't bothered to get it fixed yet. In theory the evaporative system protects the environment by prevent gas vapors from entering the atmosphere. I don't think I'll kill the planet if I don't get it fixed. My system is still sealed, the sensor just doesn't detect a vacuum. The car runs the same regardless of whether this system is functional.

When you get this code, the best thing to do is to run a smoke test. If there is a leak, the smoke will get pulled in. Most car repair places have a smoke pen. If there is no vacuum, the smoke will not get pulled in and they will test the pump. I had this code persistently on my Suzuki SUV when it was brand new. My late wife took it to the dealer the first time or two and they instructed her on how to install the gas cap. She wouldn't go back. So I had to take off work and go in. I had done by research and knew to insist on a smoke test. In a few minutes they told me the pump was bad. They ordered it and we had to go back for installation but the SUV is now 10 years old and hasn't had that code since.

My issue may not be the pump but I'll probably have a smoke test done before I start replacing parts. It takes only a few minutes.

11-03-2016, 08:12 PM	#1
1er_vert Second Lieutenant 73 Rep 220 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si; 2010 BMW X6 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Palm Desert, CA USA iTrader: (0)	Stubborn Service Engine Soon Light Recently got the SES light, this week. I scanned and came up with P0442 Small Evap Leak code. I also noticed some moisture under the gas cap, inside the fill port. The green cap seals were also dry. I replaced the gas cap with the newer, improved (blue seals) version. Code P0442 remains OFF....but why is SES light still on? How can I clear the SES light? All the YouTube videos suck. Car is 2010 128i auto. TIA __________________ 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si - Hellrot 2010 BMW X6 M - Space Grey
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-04-2016, 08:59 AM	#2
Matticus91 Brigadier General 3487 Rep 3,722 Posts Drives: 2013 135i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (6)	Go to any autozone and they'll do it for free __________________ "Tobias" 2013 135i ///M-Sport 6MT • Pure Stage 1 • XDI 35 HPFP • 404whp/440wtq IG: msteelio91
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-04-2016, 12:18 PM	#3
1er_vert Second Lieutenant 73 Rep 220 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si; 2010 BMW X6 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Palm Desert, CA USA iTrader: (0)	Autozone is not a Certified Diagnostic center. They can only scan the code...not clear it. __________________ 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si - Hellrot 2010 BMW X6 M - Space Grey
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-05-2016, 07:21 PM	#4
JimD Brigadier General 369 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	Autozone can do it as can my $5 torque application for a phone or, as I run it, a tablet. My cheap Harbor Freight scanner also clears codes, including those for my BMW. I am also getting the "small evaporative leak" code and I have cleared it but it comes back. I used to hear the pump that pulls the vacuum the sensor looks for but I do not hear it now. I am thus pretty sure that the pump is not functional. At best, the part is nearly $100 and I don't know exactly where it is, but I haven't looked. If I take it to get it fixed, I figure it will be over $200 so I haven't bothered to get it fixed yet. In theory the evaporative system protects the environment by prevent gas vapors from entering the atmosphere. I don't think I'll kill the planet if I don't get it fixed. My system is still sealed, the sensor just doesn't detect a vacuum. The car runs the same regardless of whether this system is functional. When you get this code, the best thing to do is to run a smoke test. If there is a leak, the smoke will get pulled in. Most car repair places have a smoke pen. If there is no vacuum, the smoke will not get pulled in and they will test the pump. I had this code persistently on my Suzuki SUV when it was brand new. My late wife took it to the dealer the first time or two and they instructed her on how to install the gas cap. She wouldn't go back. So I had to take off work and go in. I had done by research and knew to insist on a smoke test. In a few minutes they told me the pump was bad. They ordered it and we had to go back for installation but the SUV is now 10 years old and hasn't had that code since. My issue may not be the pump but I'll probably have a smoke test done before I start replacing parts. It takes only a few minutes. __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
	Appreciate 0 Quote