BMW 1999 318i eml light come on whilst driving. Car drives well but light still on. Any thoughts to why ?

The car is trying to tell you something - limp mode is there to protect the engine if a serious problem is detected. Stop driving it and get someone out to scan the codes and diagnose this.

are there any after market things added to the car. like a radio or alarm

The "EML" warning light in a BMW indicates a problem with the "drive by wire" throttle control system."

"EML" is an acronym for "Elektronische Motorleistungsregelung". Loosely translated from the original German for the BMW owner means Electrionic Engine Power Control.

"EML" is BMW's system name for electronic throttle management. The "EML" system, in it's most basic sense consists of an accelerator pedal (with an electronic position sensor), a computer module (usu. integrated with the main engine computer), and an EDK (Elektronische Drosselklappe or Electronic throttle valve). The EDK is also known as a "drive by wire" throttle. "EDK" throttles use a computer controlled stepper motor rather than a purely mechanical linkage (usu. metal cable attached directly to the accelerator pedal) to control the opening and closing of the throttle plate.

"Drive by wire" throttles are very common on modern vehicles starting in the late nineties up through the present day. "Drive by wire" technology enables very precise throttle control to improve drivability and vehicle emissions, as well as many convenience features like electronic cruise control, traction control & stability control.

BMW first implemented "drive by wire" in very limited quantities on the most expensive & sophistocated BMW models starting in 1988.

The latest generation of advanced vehicle features to take advandage of "drive by wire" technology are radar guided cruise control, accident avoidance control, autonomous-driving, and autonomous-parking systems.


Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_eml_warning_light_on_a_bmw_mean#ixzz1OnBNssKH

It sounds like you have a loose connection or wire somewhere, becuase you stated it started happening after you hit a bump which the jolt would cause movement in a component or wire causing some type of short or mis-connection to happen. I would check all wires, cables for loose or corroded connections, loose ground wires, especially battery and starter connections and tighten accordingly.

if eml is on you must get codes checked on a scanner by a local Tech. They will tell you why light was on and what caused it.

It's not an old scool cars anymore.
No advise is possible untill you take it to workshop and let them scan it , I'm sure ECU stored all information and fault codes.

Check the ABS brake sensors in your wheels, if they are not functioning properly. It will trigger the computer to engage the ASC auto stability control light as the asc uses the brakes to assist in control. I will also engage the EML engine management light to slow the rev point to limp mode

What is limp mode, and it is MiL light( mal function indicator light)it is not EML. Please specify so i can help

Sometimes you can reset the engine warning light by disconnecting the battery for ten minutes or more (be sure you have your stereo unlock code if needed).
That is not a good solution, it is better to diagnose and eventually fix the problem.
Have the car computer scanned with a code reader, the codes you get in return witll tell you exactly where to find the problem.

Here is the code list.

To get the codes the code reader must be connected to the car computer.


sometimes on Bmw you may need a Interface 16 pin Adapter, depending on the code reader.

Here is a home user code reader : PocketScan™ OBD II Code Reader (AXRCP9125 ...

Here is a good scaner.

Always better having the job done at a qualified garage.

you could have one of many faults. It would be dvisable to read the fault memory of your engine mangement unit. sounds like your throttle housung unit is more than likely your fault, but is impossible to know without using a diagnostic computor