disabled check engine light?

Hi

just curious. Can the check engine light on the dashboard be disabled/disconnected? Does the light comes on for a while when key is inserted and engine started? If this light can be disabled than the mechanics can have easy time convincing owners that the engine is ok. Mine does not light up when engine is started. 2000 523i e39

Thanks in advance

halim

I suppose one could disable the check engine light but that's pretty low. There is a way to test all of your lights in the instrument cluster along with lots of other functions, I do it on my e34 5 series. Yours should be similar. Here's a link covering how to do all kinds of tests, one of which will light up all of the lights in your instrument cluster.

OBC self test (http://dave.maisenhelder.com/bmw/obc_self_test.htm)

thanks zmuff,
finally i had the chance to do test 2. Found out some of the icons such as the engine do not light up. Everything should light up isn't. What should i do now?

If you're handy and you have a manual, you could pull the instrument cluster and check the condition of the bulbs, although it's unusual that more than one or two would be burned out. The only other choice I can see is to go to a dealer or independent mechanic and see what they recommend. It's possible that there is a fault in the electronics and BMW has a TSB to correct it. Good luck.