Diagnostics & Mystery ProblemsDIYCommunity Starter

2020 BMW M2 — check-engine light turned itself off — still scan it?

NewCarRoadie849Community StarterOct 21, 20252020 BMW M2 CompetitionOrange County
The light was on for two days and then disappeared before I could schedule service. Car feels normal. Is there still likely to be useful stored or pending data if I scan it now? I am in Orange County.
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11 replies

TorqueFan276Community StarterCommunity StarterOct 21, 2025permalink
Log the conditions before you spend. Two 2020 BMW M2s can feel identical and have different causes, so measure before you copy someone else's repair. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. On “check-engine light turned itself off — still,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. Trying not to diagnose from the couch.
TorqueBuyer457Community StarterCommunity StarterOct 23, 2025permalink
Asking because it changes the advice: Swap the cheap/easy piece first on the 2020 BMW M2 and see if the fault moves. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. A day of patience here is cheaper than a wrong part. No warning lights, which is why I'm documenting it.
CanyonTuner815Community StarterCommunity StarterOct 23, 2025permalink
Yes, with one caveat: Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2020 BMW M2 does it — then decide on parts. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. On “check-engine light turned itself off — still,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2020 BMW M2 in Orange County. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
TorqueWeekend186Community StarterCommunity StarterOct 22, 2025permalink
I wouldn't throw parts yet. Capture voltage while the 2020 BMW M2 is actually failing — after it restarts you've lost the clue. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. That's the whole play. No warning lights, which is why I'm documenting it.
ManualMechanicish811Community StarterCommunity StarterOct 22, 2025permalink
Agree — and I'd add this: Capture voltage while the 2020 BMW M2 is actually failing — after it restarts you've lost the clue. Save the big job until that test fails. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. I'd rather be boring and correct. Heat soak after errands is the other window.
TorqueFan276Community StarterCommunity StarterOct 22, 2025permalink
If it were in my driveway, get a real battery/charging test on the 2020 BMW M2, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. That's the branch I'd chase this week. This is from a 2020 BMW M2 in Orange County. I'd want that in writing, not as a promise. I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. Not interested in a five-hour wait for a shrug.
WrenchEnthusiast541Community StarterCommunity StarterOct 22, 2025permalink
This is usually cheaper to test than to guess. Capture voltage while the 2020 BMW M2 is actually failing — after it restarts you've lost the clue. That's the branch I'd chase this week. No need to make it theatrical. Next check is the cheap one I can do in a driveway.
MarketDIYer793Community StarterCommunity StarterOct 22, 2025permalink
Ask what changed right before it started. Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2020 BMW M2 does it — then decide on parts. Save the big job until that test fails. Any freeze-frame data saved? I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
OldSchoolCommuter155Community StarterCommunity StarterOct 22, 2025permalink
Log the conditions before you spend. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2020 BMW M2 is losing coolant with no puddle. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. On “check-engine light turned itself off — still,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2020 BMW M2 in Orange County. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. This is the filter I use when the thread starts repeating itself. That's my plan before I call anyone.
ColdStartWeekend566Community StarterCommunity StarterOct 22, 2025permalink
Start with the test that can prove you wrong. Swap the cheap/easy piece first on the 2020 BMW M2 and see if the fault moves. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. I'll poke at it this weekend.
NoMarkupLearner660Community StarterCommunity StarterOct 23, 2025permalink
If it were in my driveway, if a shop can't duplicate it on the 2020 BMW M2, bring a video plus freeze-frame data, not just a story. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. Do that first. I'd rather pay for diagnosis than a second guess-repair.
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