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06-27-2025LAST POST
All back orders have almost been cleared up. Thank you all for trusting me. Still buying more cores so we can continue to reduce the lead time. The goal is to have units on the shelf so nobody waits more than just a few days.

Abdul
Curious, anyone know How much different is this with a ESS Supercharger?
Jan 2024 Update:
My mission since the start of last summer was to decrease lead times to 3-5 business days. To accomplish this, I started by raising the core charge. This did help but customers were still taking too long to send the cores back. Then I started sending free return labels with each shipment. I also hired someone who spends 3-4 hours a day just calling and texting people to remind them to return their cores. Finally, I purchased all the used units I could get my hands on. With these changes, I finally have units on the shelf and I can ship them out within 24 hours of receiving the order. No more lead time at all.

Virtually, everyone agrees that EPM Throttle Actuators are the only option when it comes to replacing TAs. Backed by a transferable Lifetime warranty, this is a no-brainer. I just always had a hard time keeping them on the shelf which led to some of you having to spend a fortune to buy inferior OEM units. You can now keep the extra cash in your pocket. I will do whatever it takes to keep units on my shelf and save you money and the headache of lead times. Thank you to those who privately and publicly called me out if I didn’t meet their requirements. You made me a better person and made me make the necessary changes.


Here is a link if you need units. Also, always use this promo code when checking out. E9xM3FBGROUP.

https://europowermotorsports.com/product/bmw-e9x-m3-s65-throttle-actuator/
On my 2013 M3, on different starts, I get different numbers of warnings on the dashboard - sometimes several warning lights, sometimes two, sometimes 1 and sometimes none. The one that always seems to be there is the SES light. The car then posts the message "Increased emissions!" With an exclamation mark, no less - like you bad, bad boy, you're screwing up mother earth.

In any case, this got me to thinking. What does "increased emissions" mean? To me it means there exists some kind of fixed emissions baseline in the car somewhere. In addition, something is constantly calculating the emissions generated by my car and going out the exhaust.

Then, the two are constantly compared somewhere in the car. That is, my generated emissions are compared to the baseline emission and if, for example, a ratio exceeds a certain amount, the SES light goes on.

Could it be that if that emissions ratio exceeds another predetermined value the car will be thrown into limp mode?

What I'm thinking is that perhaps there is nothing really wrong with the gears in the throttle valve actuator. And the car could go on indefinitely. Except that someone has determined you are exceeding what they believe is the acceptable amount of emissions going out your back end. Therefore you are assigned the limp mode.

In other words, you're not going into the limp mode because of a gear problem. You're going into the limp mode because you are exceeding an emissions standard.
fuddman wrote
On my 2013 M3, on different starts, I get different numbers of warnings on the dashboard - sometimes several warning lights, sometimes two, sometimes 1 and sometimes none. The one that always seems to be there is the SES light. The car then posts the message "Increased emissions!" With an exclamation mark, no less - like you bad, bad boy, you're screwing up mother earth.

In any case, this got me to thinking. What does "increased emissions" mean? To me it means there exists some kind of fixed emissions baseline in the car somewhere. In addition, something is constantly calculating the emissions generated by my car and going out the exhaust.

Then, the two are constantly compared somewhere in the car. That is, my generated emissions are compared to the baseline emission and if, for example, a ratio exceeds a certain amount, the SES light goes on.

Could it be that if that emissions ratio exceeds another predetermined value the car will be thrown into limp mode?

What I'm thinking is that perhaps there is nothing really wrong with the gears in the throttle valve actuator. And the car could go on indefinitely. Except that someone has determined you are exceeding what they believe is the acceptable amount of emissions going out your back end. Therefore you are assigned the limp mode.

In other words, you're not going into the limp mode because of a gear problem. You're going into the limp mode because you are exceeding an emissions standard.
No, the SES doesn't 'cause' the car to go into limp mode. Sounds just like bad T.A(s) to me. The Christmas Tree light dash at start-up is typical prior to total T.A. failure(s). You may have only one T.A. going bad causing a lack of throttle body synchronization between the two banks. The DME/ECU checks for this synchronization (calibration) parameter upon start-up. If the test is failed, then limp mode typically ensues. Read the fault codes to know for sure. Regarding the SES dash light; here's the official thread on the topic which began in 2009 and has almost a quarter million views.
.
SERVICE ENGINE SOON THREAD:
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=310475
DrFerry wrote
No, the SES doesn't 'cause' the car to go into limp mode.
I need to be a bit clearer.

The computer (ECU) in your M3 is constantly receiving information, in the form of voltages, from your O2 sensors. Those voltages from your O2 Sensors are compared to pre established voltages programed into your ECU. Those pre-established voltages are fixed and put their by the dealer on orders from the EPA or, in my case, the California Air Resources Board, CARB.

CARB has dictated that voltage levels coming out of your O2 sensors above a certain base voltage can "possibly" lead to "unacceptably high emissions."

Because it is merely a "possibility", only your "Service Engine Soon" (SES) light comes on. With the SES light on, your car keeps running normally; but, you wont pass the California smog test (i.e., the CARB test). Bottom line, under the "possible" scenario, CARB has dictated your only going to drive in a normal way ( in California) up until when your smog test must be passed.

On the other hand, when the voltage levels coming out of your O2 sensors are high enough, CARB has determined you are no longer "possibly" causing unacceptably high emission but you are, in fact, causing unacceptably high emissions. That's when they shut you down. CARB forces your car past the SES condition and into what is called the "limp mode."

Lot's of people think the "limp mode" has been established to prevent some catastrophic engine component (or drive train) failure. Baloney.

The limp mode and the SES light are there to stop you from screwing up the environment. The people pulling the strings would refer to your "limp mode" predicament as a necessary means of imposing "environmental justice."

https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice#:~:text=Environmental%20justice%20is%20the%20fair,laws%2C%20regulations%2C%20and%20policies.
Just got my replacements in from Jason at Rebuild in the UK, communication was quick as and I had them within a week of my first email to Jason delivered in Australia. Car works as it should, would recommend dealing with these guys to anyone the service was impeccable.
Hello,

has anyone got a known good file for the eeprom on the TA board?
treishu wrote
Hello,

has anyone got a known good file for the eeprom on the TA board?
If anyone has one, it will be Jason at Rebuild.org.uk in the U.K.

https://www.rebuild.org.uk/contact.php
tried already but didn't want to share too much about it.

anyway.. after replacing mosfets, power regulators, CAN transciever chip, I am left with an error for predrive check on both banks.

according to INPA it doesn't have it's return position and I'm almost certain that it is a software related issue.

If there is anyone who has a known working dump of the eeprom and possibly also of the main microcontroller, I would appreciate it

Or maybe someone has another idea.
Attached image
drummer20 wrote
Definitely original with that date, I would open it up and give the gears a look and make sure nothing seems out of the ordinary. I even sprayed some 3M silicone wet spray on the output shaft for the bearings in there and then a bit on the gears too. I just couldn't assembly them dry as the Odometer Gears people directed.

While the car is apart lube up the throttle linkages.

Then I would replace all the FETs on the circuit board including the one you just replaced.

I have identified several other parts on this board that could be replaced as well if you want something else to try. I been meaning to post this hoping someone would try it but hadn't had much time lately. I actually spent the better part of a day researching this so here goes:

Almost all these parts can be found on Digikey.com or Mouser.com or Findchips.com is a great site that searches a bunch of other sites all at once.

First of all, don't touch the big microprocessor is a SAK-C164CL-8RM. You must have a proper preheater and hot air/infrared rework station for this guy to be replaced. It would probably need to be reprogrammed... A major headache....

Also There is a part labeled 24LC02BE. It's an EEPROM it might have code saved in it and if replaced would need to be reprogrammed. I wouldn't touch this one until you have tried replacing all the rest of the parts below. There is a chance the CLPD would just reprogram it in system upon power up but that's seems unlikely to me.
http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?Keyword=24LC02BE/SN

Alright, so what CAN you replace easily?
There is a TLE4275 voltage regulator. It's a power supply basically. It has 4275D. It's one of these guys: http://www.mouser.com/Texas-Instruments/Semiconductors/Power-Management-ICs/LDO-Voltage-Regulators/TLE4275-Q1-Series/_/N-5cgac?P=1yxz3b1Z1z0zls6
Sorry I put mine back together without figuring out what package it is. It's one of the TO-something packages I think. Measure yours and compare to the datasheet or order both or order the smaller one TO-252 package, it will probably still make connection even if the board pads are bigger/wider. They are $2.56 each. I am pretty sure the UK rebuild guys replace this guy as part of their regular procedure.

There is another regulator with 4266 G on it. here it is: http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Infineon-Technologies/TLE42662GSV33HTMA2/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMsGz1a6aV8DcL6MVlIYKeMmKp0o1DUfPqg%3d

There is a comparator with ST 2903 that is the LM2903 from ST Micro. Here ya go http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/stmicroelectronics/LM2903YDT/497-10215-1-ND/2193292

Of course the main driver FET that everyone is replacing when it burns out http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Fairchild-Semiconductor/HUFA76429D3ST_F085/?qs=N%2F3wi2MvZWAJl6Ov0x0rig%3D%3D Also there is like 5 or 6 of these on the board...The best chance of success is replacing all of them.

There is an oscillator next to the big microprocessor. I didn't see it for sale anywhwere but I believe it's the Abracon HC49/U with the MJ option. I'll let you guys hunt that one down for now. I think you might could wedge any crystal 16MHz jobber in there and make it work.

There is a CAN Transceiver on there. You gotta talk to your CAR Area Network if you're a throttle actuator right? yep, it's like LAN that your computer uses but for cars. It has a A82C250 on it. http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/NXP-Semiconductors/PCA82C250T-YM115/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMsGqoCZrYwANsVRaXQ%2fj75rfWR2VL7zD4g%3d

Ok those are the easy ones that I have high confidence I identified correctly.
Nowww, the harder ones. It seems like the designer likes the Infineon and NXP parts so anyway. Those are the safe replacements these ones are fairly safe still but I didn't have much to go on. As you will see, sometimes just 3 letters, a particular package and a rough judgement if a part like that would make sense in that area of the board. For instance smaller auxillary fets are often found near the main driver fets so without further ado:


there a little IC with a 13t written on it. I am pretty sure it's the http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/NXP-Semiconductors/BC847BPN135/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMshyDBzk1%2fWi7dklbCN21lXKrrwl8mDRPs%3d Here is one of the aux FETs I mentioned.

the one with 6Bt could be http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/NXP-Semiconductors/BC817-25W115/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMshyDBzk1%2fWi7dklbCN21lXmsxvvlzDM%2fM%3d another Aux FET.

A57 don't know! for the life of me couldn't find it. It's probably just a schottkey diode with 60V rating and .5-1A current rating.

A4t could be http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/NXP-Semiconductors/BAV70215/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvKM5ialpXrmivcJdK%252bndx0 Notice all these are NXP, talk about playing favorites! heh we all do it A diode makes sense to be near the main driver fets. Diodes are used to the flow currents in between the FETs turning on and off. Makes it easier on the FETs. So they could be failing if the FETs are failing.

The A1t could be http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/NXP-Semiconductors/BAW56215/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMutXGli8Ay4kDE4J8KCiPsFf5NFJfRpOss%3d here is another diode.


There are a couple other that I just couldn't find they are the ones with T1s, A7, 1Cs. I searched long and hard and nothing. Sorry no one's perfect.

Of course, some of the resistors and capacitors on the board could have degraded to the point where they don't work so all this is no sure thing.


It kinda sucks that you don't know what is wrong without testing it so you will be throwing parts (money) at it hoping for a fix. I know someone had these boards in the lab and was trying stuff but they stopped posting.

And finally the disclaimer, try all this at your own risk. I'm not responsible for any damage to your car or you or anyone else. I will say that when my board fails. I am going to do this to my board and put it my car soooooo Good Luck!!:thumbsup:
did you ever end up doing this?

i replaced the 5 mosfets
the big voltage regulator
the small voltage regulator
and the can transviever

now i am stuck with 3 TAs that are in predrive check error :))