BMW Repair: BMW 1997 528I check engine codes, electric solenoid, secondary emissions

Question
My check engine light is on and codes 1421 and 1423 come up.   I have had this checked and they said it was my air pump, secondary emissions.  I was told by a certified BMW dealer that is was nothing the affected the running of the car. (They know I am financially challenged)  I wanted to know if you agree.  They said it only would make my heater heat up faster.  I don't want to drive the car is I am going to create major damage

Answer
Edith, what is your VIN number? Secondary air system helps the Catalytic Converters heat up faster to begin reducing emissions faster. The system only works for 90 seconds on cold start. Not a complicated system with many components. You have an electric air pump with a plastic feed tube that runs to the Vacuum opened One-Way valve that bolts to the cylinder head. The Vacuum supplied to open the valve comes from a vacuum line that wraps around the back of the motor and underneath the intake manifold to an electric solenoid valve that switches engine vacuum to the One-way valve. Most common failure is a faulty vacuum line (rotted away with age) at or around the One-way valve. I bet a qualified BMW independent shop could troubleshoot this system.
-Evan