[Mikex101]

There is was, happily sitting at 70 in 6th on the A19 and thinking, finally! ive sorted all the issues with this car when it jerks forward, drops power and the dash lights up like a Christmas tree!

Luckily I was right next to a slip road, so I pull off and as I turn left of the slip road, it cuts out. I pull it up onto a kerb and the warning lights keep coming. DSC, tyre pressure, Engine management the fucking works!

Idle is rough as a badgers arse, if I take it above 3000rpm it goes into limp mode and if I let it idle for too long it stalls. Manage to coax it to a petrol station and remember what an indy told me about the fuel pumps. So, as im about to hit 1/8th of a tank I stick £15 in to test it. Car starts fine, only EML on now. Manage to get it the 2miles to work without incident (while being carefull to keep it under 3k and realise ive got my code reader in the boot, plug it in and (should have written the codes down) it came up with (from memory)

MAF
Exhaust emissions
Crankshaft sensor A
Cranckshaft sensor B
VVT solenoid 1
VVT solenoid 2


I clear the codes and take it for a 5min spin. All's well on the western front! no issues and I pushed it up to 5k

Ive been using Shell standard fuel for a while now and never had a problem, filled the tank on Friday and its been fine up until this morning.

Anyone got any ideas? could it have been a fuel pickup problem that's lead to all the codes>?
It an 05 E90 N46 320i with 70k on. Just had timing chain done, new camshaft sensor, previous issues with water in the ebox now sorted and ive cleaned the vanos solenoids.

Im really getting pissed off with this car now! Bonus month in Feb cant come quick enough!!

[Russbmw]

Has it had the coil packs replaced by BMW yet?

[Mikex101]

It Doesn't look like it. Ive just spoken to the garage who serviced it from new up until April (62.5k) and they have no record of it being done. If you mention it im guessing its a likely cause?

[xenon]

I'm assuming you haven't read the 50-page thread here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136258

Almost certainly coil packs.

[Mikex101]

Originally Posted by xenon

I'm assuming you haven't read the 50-page thread here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136258

Almost certainly coil packs.

I've read some of it. but have to admit I was scanning for things that I was currently dealing with lol

Id guess buying and fitting them myself would be the cheapest option. Do they need programmed or is it plug and play?

[Russbmw]

Yes, there was a recall on them. I asked BMW about my wife's 07 320 about 9 months ago (and on 99k miles) and got told it hadn't been done yet, so it got booked in and sorted.

Her's did the same thing. Fine, then all of a sudden cut out when slowing to a stop, EML, etc.

It's definitely the first thing you should do - especially as it's a known issue and free recall work at your local BMW dealer, regardless of car age or mileage.

[Mikex101]

Originally Posted by Russbmw

Yes, there was a recall on them. I asked BMW about my wife's 07 320 about 9 months ago (and on 99k miles) and got told it hadn't been done yet, so it got booked in and sorted.

Her's did the same thing. Fine, then all of a sudden cut out when slowing to a stop, EML, etc.

It's definitely the first thing you should do - especially as it's a known issue and free recall work at your local BMW dealer, regardless of car age or mileage.

Free recall!?! I like the sound of that!

Ive got it booked in to an indy this afternoon to read the codes I cant (cheep enough) but will give BMW a shout in the mean time.

Thanks

[Mikex101]

Stealers say no recall on my car. (05 plate)

[Russbmw]

They don't class it as a "recall" - they say it's a "Quality Enhancement"

[Mikex101]

Originally Posted by Russbmw

They don't class it as a "recall" - they say it's a "Quality Enhancement"

she did say there was a recall (her words) on the oil breather which was done. Ill try a different branch and see what they say.

Is there anywhere that has a list of models down for "quality enhancement"?

[xenon]

There's virtually no-chance of a FOC enhancement on a 8 year old car. But anyway, you can replace the coil packs yourself and they do not need to be coded.

[Russbmw]

I have a feeling, and don't quote me on this, but if you were to call and say your car is playing up (stalling, etc) and say you understand there is a quality enhancement on the coil packs as such symntoms are known to be related.

Coil packs 2007-2008 - all cars now use the same coils.

PM me your reg number and /or chassis number mate, as i have a friend who works at BMW and can find out what your coil pack part number should be. He's saying to me that yours should be done.

[Mikex101]

Originally Posted by xenon

There's virtually no-chance of a FOC enhancement on a 8 year old car. But anyway, you can replace the coil packs yourself and they do not need to be coded.

Nice one, thanks. Ive had the coils off in the past so know its an easy job (yes they all went back on right and in the correct order) But I remember hearing something about the coding.

I can get the Bosch coils for £20 a piece so its it that then ill have them fitted tomorrow.

[Mikex101]

Originally Posted by Russbmw

I have a feeling, and don't quote me on this, but if you were to call and say your car is playing up (stalling, etc) and say you understand there is a quality enhancement on the coil packs as such symntoms are known to be related.

Coil packs 2007-2008 - all cars now use the same coils.

PM me your reg number and /or chassis number mate, as i have a friend who works at BMW and can find out what your coil pack part number should be. He's saying to me that yours should be done.

Much appreciated Russ. You have a PM.

Its an 05 car though. possibly to early for the recall?

[Russbmw]

I'm not sure TBH, but worth asking the question just incase, IMO. Free is always better than paying and loosing your own free time doing it.

[Mikex101]

Drove to garage, no code, Stopped car, read codes, no codes. started car to drive away, Revs sitting higher than normal at 1200rpm with a Crankshaft 2B5C fault code.

Cleared codes, drove fine.

Plan is to try a new sensor and take it from there, unless anyone has a better idea?? Anyone know if they have to be fitted from underneath? or can you get to them from the top?

Thanks all

[Mikex101]

Took it for a spin to get some grub and its laughing at me im telling you.

Pulled out of work up a slight incline. Engine cut out, wouldn't start after a long crank and fault code was something to do with start/stop.

Got it going second time around and within 200yards it threw up 2A63 and 2A70 VVT motor faults (are these the solenoids?)

Either way, I can see me spending some time under the bonnet tonight before being able to get home. I cant get that nagging feeling out my head that after having my ebox full of water, ive got away for too easily! recon a bit of corrosion might have started (despite drying it out) so im going to strip down the relay and fuse holders responsible for the vanos tonight. Then its getting traded in for a 330i (can anyone say MUG!?)

[Mikex101]

Been doing some digging. those codes are valvetronic motor. looks expensive! o joy!

[breathe3asy]

Originally Posted by Mikex101

Idle is rough as a badgers arse

This line got me

Feeling your pain man hope you can get her running 100% again!

[Mikex101]

It gets worse. Water back in the ebox, took the ecu out, its not good! there's a couple of badly corroded bits on the one side I can see. But its not looking good. If anything is the route cause, its got to be this.

Does anyone know:
A) Can they be tested by BMW? if so do they need to be in the car?
B) Is it possible to replace just the ECU? or have to buy the whole lot
C) Best option for replacement? ie Code an ECU or buy an ECU + Keys etc?
D) best place to buy? breakers? Second hand specialists?
E) does a replacement have to be from same year of manufacture? Or will an 08 work in an 05 car?

I've seen a couple online at price I honestly think are ok (assuming they arnt like mine!)

[Mikex101]

well, ive pulled it apart and put it back together. Looks like it was the water again! Tell you what, the design of that Ebox is the worst piece of engineering I have ever seen!

Ive got some pics of what ive done, but basically, the ebox sits in a metal well behind the strut which has no obvious way for the water to get out!
The water drain off the nearside a pillar runs down beside the ebox through the side of the bulkhead, but its not sealed, just placed there, I mean, what the f+*K?!?!

Theres a little one way POS valve sitting in the bottom of the Ebox to let water out. Turns out though, it also lets it in!

There has to be a water outlet, I took the Ebox out and the well was full of water, turned around to grab a cloth to mop it up and half of its gone?? trouble is I cant see it!

ECU isn't in good shape, but itll get me going (been out for a test drive and it went fine, felt good actually. Smooth. I'll have to see how it goes for a few days while I figure out if the ECU can either be repaired or swapped. (not happy about its current state)

The person who came up with the design for this needs shot! well, atleast fired and never let near a car design again! its appalling!

[Russbmw]

Sorry, what is this 'ebox' you're talking about?