Help: Check Engine, Code P2096

jimmyfloyd · 11-26-2018, 08:43 AM

Ok, just got a Check Engine Light on my trip this past week. Took a small trip, 80 mi each way and the light came on. Filled up just before the trip, but the light did not come on until the way back.

Then I took another trip, ~180 miles each way. Filled up again for this trip at half way. Why this is important is that the person I talked to to make the service appointment said she googled the code and it could be my gas cap, and I need to retighten it and drive 50 miles continuous to clear the code, which should have been done.

So I don't really hold that as the solution, so I am wondering if anyone else has run into this, and what are the potential fixes? I have an appointment to get into the dealer in 2 weeks (soonest) but would like to know more about it. There are no drivability issues with the car that I can tell. The car is a 2016 328i xDrive Sport wagon with the N20 motor and just over 35k on it so it is still under warranty. it's completely stock too from what I can tell.

rjd_F30 · 11-26-2018, 11:59 AM

Quick googling shows that this code relates to the air/fuel mixture being too lean. On a stock car, I'm not sure what would cause this. Could be a bad O2 sensor, could be weak fuel pressure, could be any number of things causing it to lean out, or causing the O2 sensors to read incorrectly. This is a generic engine code, meaning it's not BMW specific, so that makes it a bit more difficult to pinpoint. But, a lean mixture is not something you want to play around with, so I'd be gentle until you can get the car in to the dealer.

jimmyfloyd · 11-26-2018, 12:11 PM

Yeah, I've tossed the car down into eco sport and no heavy throttle. I don't drive much and we have another car so it won't really be driven much like this.

Sweeney921 · 11-26-2018, 01:55 PM

Eco pro will only make the engine run even leaner since it's mapped to use as little fuel as possible. I'd keep it in comfort and stay light on the throttle until your service appointment. Maybe also use manual shifting to avoid lugging the engine.

Pauloxxi · 06-05-2023, 07:25 PM

Just had this issue this weekend. My car is now with my mechanic and I’m expecting to see if it is also the O2 sensor or something else.
The mechanic suggested to replace both O2 sensors. Considering 9 years old, may be the right approach.
Just wondering if people in this forum has done the same… replacing both sensors.
Thanks

11-26-2018, 08:43 AM	#1
jimmyfloyd Private First Class 43 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 2016 F31 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (0)	Help: Check Engine, Code P2096 Ok, just got a Check Engine Light on my trip this past week. Took a small trip, 80 mi each way and the light came on. Filled up just before the trip, but the light did not come on until the way back. Then I took another trip, ~180 miles each way. Filled up again for this trip at half way. Why this is important is that the person I talked to to make the service appointment said she googled the code and it could be my gas cap, and I need to retighten it and drive 50 miles continuous to clear the code, which should have been done. So I don't really hold that as the solution, so I am wondering if anyone else has run into this, and what are the potential fixes? I have an appointment to get into the dealer in 2 weeks (soonest) but would like to know more about it. There are no drivability issues with the car that I can tell. The car is a 2016 328i xDrive Sport wagon with the N20 motor and just over 35k on it so it is still under warranty. it's completely stock too from what I can tell. __________________ 2016 F31 M-Sport THP \| 1998 Z3 1.9L Dinan Stage 3
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11-26-2018, 11:59 AM	#2
rjd_F30 Brigadier General 2001 Rep 3,680 Posts Drives: 2013 335i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Quick googling shows that this code relates to the air/fuel mixture being too lean. On a stock car, I'm not sure what would cause this. Could be a bad O2 sensor, could be weak fuel pressure, could be any number of things causing it to lean out, or causing the O2 sensors to read incorrectly. This is a generic engine code, meaning it's not BMW specific, so that makes it a bit more difficult to pinpoint. But, a lean mixture is not something you want to play around with, so I'd be gentle until you can get the car in to the dealer. __________________ Instagram: rjd_f30 \| Current: EBII 2013 335i 6MT RWD & Sprint Blue 2008 Audi RS4 \| Retired: 2013 328i, 2000 XTerra, 2022 Civic Si \|
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11-26-2018, 12:11 PM	#3
jimmyfloyd Private First Class 43 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 2016 F31 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (0)	Yeah, I've tossed the car down into eco sport and no heavy throttle. I don't drive much and we have another car so it won't really be driven much like this. __________________ 2016 F31 M-Sport THP \| 1998 Z3 1.9L Dinan Stage 3
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11-26-2018, 01:55 PM	#4
Sweeney921 Second Lieutenant 98 Rep 227 Posts Drives: 2000 BMW E39 M5 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW 330i Touring [0.00]	Eco pro will only make the engine run even leaner since it's mapped to use as little fuel as possible. I'd keep it in comfort and stay light on the throttle until your service appointment. Maybe also use manual shifting to avoid lugging the engine. __________________ 2017 BMW 330i Sport Wagon - M-sport, EBII, THP, DHP Supersprint cat-back exhaust (resonated, dual outlet) - H&R rear sway bar - ER charge pipe Waiting for: Bootmod3 - xHP Flashtool - xDelete
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06-05-2023, 07:25 PM	#5
Pauloxxi Captain 339 Rep 660 Posts Drives: 2014-320Xi / 2017-330Xi Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW / 330xi [0.00] 2014 BMW / 320xi [0.00]	Just had this issue this weekend. My car is now with my mechanic and I’m expecting to see if it is also the O2 sensor or something else. The mechanic suggested to replace both O2 sensors. Considering 9 years old, may be the right approach. Just wondering if people in this forum has done the same… replacing both sensors. Thanks
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