Erratic idle + engine malfunction?

///M Ryder · 01-31-2015, 07:08 AM

Here's my update......I had to have the Idle Control Actuator changed. I have 8 coils and plugs in the garage that will still get done in the coming days. I think a fresh set of coils and plugs will re-energize the car...Just a quick FYI....plugs were change around 35k and I'm now at 51k...............Phil

Mfanatik · 01-31-2015, 09:46 AM

Could also be a slow reacting oxygen sensor, these cars use wideband sensors up front that control fuel trims a lot faster than old oxygen sensors. Once going to a HFC or catless system, you may have to replace them. As one mentions coils being weak, IMO the o2 sensors are worse on this car!

That's maybe why changing your gas and putting the additive helped it out, possibly cleaned the oxygen sensor a bit?

Just a hunch

chillp · 01-31-2015, 11:32 AM

I've had the ESS HFC exhaust for over a year and no exhaust-related problems. Taking it to the dealer is a good idea. If it went into reduced power mode, I imagine that the dealer would be able to find fault codes. My guess is that it's either the vacuum pressure sensor or the idle control valve. The vacuum pressure sensor is affected by brake usage so you may be able to test that theory by taking your foot off the brake the next time you're at a stop and see if the idle jumps up to normal rpm.

cerran · 03-18-2015, 12:54 PM

They inspected the idle control valve and said it was fine. They replaced the fuel tank breather valve and I haven't gotten any erratic idling since then.

So the erratic idle stopped but I started frequently getting engine malfunction/limp mode right after stopping at a light. And then shortly afterwards it started happening while I was slowing down for a stop and still doing 20-30mph.

Over the last month and a half they've replaced:

All the spark plugs
3 Injectors (After seeing misfires in 3, 5 and 7, they swapped the plugs and coils into other cylinders and then apparently the same cylinders misfired again so they determined it was injectors.)
1 Coil (I brought it back in and there was a misfire in 7 again. They swapped the coil into another cylinder and the misfire followed the coil.)

Picked up the car yesterday after they replaced the coil, 15 miles later the car went limp mode again.

Warranty expires in 3 days

MFL · 03-18-2015, 12:58 PM

Leave the car there and tell them to call you when it's fixed.

cerran · 03-18-2015, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MFL

Leave the car there and tell them to call you when it's fixed.

Their shop foreman is taking the car home each time on a 50 mile drive but sometimes the car just runs fine :/ The issue is fairly intermittent. This time I got 15 miles but last time I went about 200 before the engine malfunction.

So frustrating...

vsix · 03-18-2015, 01:58 PM

Not that you or the guy's doing the exhaust, shot the ECU...
IIRC any exterrior welding, if not grounded correctly can cause the ECU to go down south.
Just saying, of course I don't know if there was any welding required in your exhaust setup but if it was...could be possible to cause some kind of damage.

MMAJNKE · 03-19-2015, 09:32 AM

Im having a similar issue.

cerran · 03-20-2015, 08:28 PM

Update:

One of the misfires this time was in a cylinder that had new plug, injector and coil. They did a compression test on every cylinder and they all came back fine. Now replacing all 4 O2 sensors.

fellationship · 03-21-2015, 01:38 AM

Did dealer give you any warranty problems with an aftermarket exhaust? It doesn't sound like it, but wondering if there were any warranty problems because of exhaust.

cerran · 03-21-2015, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fellationship

Did dealer give you any warranty problems with an aftermarket exhaust? It doesn't sound like it, but wondering if there were any warranty problems because of exhaust.

Surprisingly enough it hasn't been brought up at all. If it turns out the shop I went to damaged my O2 sensors during the exhaust installation I'm gonna be pissed... and also impressed by BMW warrantying it.

I've been pretty happy overall with my BMW warranty experiences. One time I mentioned a slight rattle that I didn't think could be fixed and they replaced my whole center armrest and rear passenger AC thingy.

My warranty expires today. Might be time to get a newer E92 or a F80 ha...

vsix · 03-21-2015, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cerran

Surprisingly enough it hasn't been brought up at all. If it turns out the shop I went to damaged my O2 sensors during the exhaust installation I'm gonna be pissed... and also impressed by BMW warrantying it.

I've been pretty happy overall with my BMW warranty experiences. One time I mentioned a slight rattle that I didn't think could be fixed and they replaced my whole center armrest and rear passenger AC thingy.

My warranty expires today. Might be time to get a newer E92 or a F80 ha...

That's why I'm very pickey what kind of shop's get their hand's on my car and if they had allready experience with our type of car's. Anyhow at the end your good, right? That's just another lesson learned and keep on rockin!!!!

cerran · 03-26-2015, 01:33 AM

Update:

O2 sensors replaced, didn't fix it.

Now they're gonna pull the valve cover and inspect the valve springs. New valve cover gaskets ordered.

01-31-2015, 07:08 AM	#23
///M Ryder Grown Azz Man 429 Rep 3,021 Posts Drives: GT4 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (8)	Here's my update......I had to have the Idle Control Actuator changed. I have 8 coils and plugs in the garage that will still get done in the coming days. I think a fresh set of coils and plugs will re-energize the car...Just a quick FYI....plugs were change around 35k and I'm now at 51k...............Phil __________________ 2016 GT4.....Sapphire Blue Metallic, Platinum stitch Leather/Alcantara interior, Carbon Fiber Trim, PCM w/Nav, Guards Red Belts, 2 Zone Climate, Sport Chrono, LWB, Smokers Pack, Big Gas Tank, Light Design Pack, Bi-Xenon w/PDL, Auto Dim Mirror, Clear Side Markers, GTS Clear Taillights
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01-31-2015, 09:46 AM	#24
Mfanatik Private First Class 13 Rep 136 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Mississauga, On Canada iTrader: (0)	Could also be a slow reacting oxygen sensor, these cars use wideband sensors up front that control fuel trims a lot faster than old oxygen sensors. Once going to a HFC or catless system, you may have to replace them. As one mentions coils being weak, IMO the o2 sensors are worse on this car! That's maybe why changing your gas and putting the additive helped it out, possibly cleaned the oxygen sensor a bit? Just a hunch
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01-31-2015, 11:32 AM	#25
chillp Enlisted Member 8 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW M3 E90 (Sedan) Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huntington Beach, CA iTrader: (2)	I've had the ESS HFC exhaust for over a year and no exhaust-related problems. Taking it to the dealer is a good idea. If it went into reduced power mode, I imagine that the dealer would be able to find fault codes. My guess is that it's either the vacuum pressure sensor or the idle control valve. The vacuum pressure sensor is affected by brake usage so you may be able to test that theory by taking your foot off the brake the next time you're at a stop and see if the idle jumps up to normal rpm. __________________ \| PREVIOUS \| 2012 E92 M3 \| ZCP \| DCT \| Jerez Black \| Black Novillo \| \| PREVIOUS \| 2014 F13 M6 \| DCT \| Black Sapphire \| Black Extended Merino \| \| CURRENT \| 2011 E90 M3 \| ZCP \| 6MT \| Space Gray \| Black Novillo \|
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03-18-2015, 12:54 PM	#26
cerran Private 25 Rep 61 Posts Drives: '01 M5, '16 M4 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (3)	They inspected the idle control valve and said it was fine. They replaced the fuel tank breather valve and I haven't gotten any erratic idling since then. So the erratic idle stopped but I started frequently getting engine malfunction/limp mode right after stopping at a light. And then shortly afterwards it started happening while I was slowing down for a stop and still doing 20-30mph. Over the last month and a half they've replaced: All the spark plugs 3 Injectors (After seeing misfires in 3, 5 and 7, they swapped the plugs and coils into other cylinders and then apparently the same cylinders misfired again so they determined it was injectors.) 1 Coil (I brought it back in and there was a misfire in 7 again. They swapped the coil into another cylinder and the misfire followed the coil.) Picked up the car yesterday after they replaced the coil, 15 miles later the car went limp mode again. Warranty expires in 3 days
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03-18-2015, 12:58 PM	#27
MFL Major 174 Rep 1,246 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 BMW M3 [9.00]	Leave the car there and tell them to call you when it's fixed.
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03-18-2015, 01:58 PM	#29
vsix Lieutenant Colonel 602 Rep 1,611 Posts Drives: M3 E92 sold, M4 F82 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	Not that you or the guy's doing the exhaust, shot the ECU... IIRC any exterrior welding, if not grounded correctly can cause the ECU to go down south. Just saying, of course I don't know if there was any welding required in your exhaust setup but if it was...could be possible to cause some kind of damage.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-19-2015, 09:32 AM	#30
MMAJNKE MMA Changed My Life! 317 Rep 6,629 Posts Drives: e92 m3 & f30 328i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: so cal iTrader: (48) Garage List "2006 sport bi ... [0.00] 2008 e92 coupe [0.00]	Im having a similar issue.
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03-20-2015, 08:28 PM	#31
cerran Private 25 Rep 61 Posts Drives: '01 M5, '16 M4 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (3)	Update: One of the misfires this time was in a cylinder that had new plug, injector and coil. They did a compression test on every cylinder and they all came back fine. Now replacing all 4 O2 sensors.
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03-21-2015, 01:38 AM	#32
fellationship Private 9 Rep 62 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	Did dealer give you any warranty problems with an aftermarket exhaust? It doesn't sound like it, but wondering if there were any warranty problems because of exhaust.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-26-2015, 01:33 AM	#35
cerran Private 25 Rep 61 Posts Drives: '01 M5, '16 M4 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (3)	Update: O2 sensors replaced, didn't fix it. Now they're gonna pull the valve cover and inspect the valve springs. New valve cover gaskets ordered.
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