EDC and Servotronic stopped working

[davesaddiction]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

I don't know where the ZCP specific SW is stored but if in the actual EDC module I assume that would be a reason to have different part numbers.

Same unit for the E93 M3 and several variations of Z4, so not ZCP specific.

[Sunny D]

I just got my new module out that was recently installed. The P/N is different than the original one. The new one is 37156788790-02. The old one was 37156788790-01.

Any idea if that could be the cause???

The weird part is the part shows a build date of 2016, but when we look at the coding it shows 2008... so something is up!

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by Sunny D

I just got my new module out that was recently installed. The P/N is different than the original one. The new one is 37156788790-02. The old one was 37156788790-01.

Any idea if that could be the cause???

The weird part is the part shows a build date of 2016, but when we look at the coding it shows 2008... so something is up!

This is not weird, the last program area update/OS for EDC was likely in 2008, you'll find the same thing with RDC (Tpms module) and various other control units that have more basic firmware.

[Sunny D]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

This is not weird, the last program area update/OS for EDC was likely in 2008, you'll find the same thing with RDC (Tpms module) and various other control units that have more basic firmware.

Ah, okay, thanks for the input Mike. Any idea on the P/N difference?

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by Sunny D

Ah, okay, thanks for the input Mike. Any idea on the P/N difference?

Happens all the time even if the part is the same.

[Sunny D]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Happens all the time even if the part is the same.

Thanks. Now I am at a loss unless this new module is just bad for some reason.

[rantarM3]

I just posted this and am putting a reference here in case it might be of help.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...8&postcount=18

[Rajmun340]

Good to see we got a few more people.
I don't think there is a single fix-it-all repair for all us. There are several ways EDC can go bad, we probably are not all having the same issue. Based on archived E60 M5 cases (same edc system) I would divide causes into:

- toasted edc module, --will flag codes
- failure of another dependent electronic module or communication to/from it including sensors --will flag codes
- hydraulic failure (edc valve inside the strut) -does not flag code

for last one, there is at least one M5 case where only a set of new struts finally brought edc back to life.

I know myself and Helmsman got no error code but Rantar, Sunny D and DaveAddiction all got EC.

Sunny D have you checked that your dealer recoded after installing the new module ? Are you still getting error codes ?

[Sunny D]

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

Good to see we got a few more people.
I don't think there is a single fix-it-all repair for all us. There are several ways EDC can go bad, we probably are not all having the same issue. Based on archived E60 M5 cases (same edc system) I would divide causes into:

- toasted edc module, --will flag codes
- failure of another dependent electronic module or communication to/from it including sensors --will flag codes
- hydraulic failure (edc valve inside the strut) -does not flag code

for last one, there is at least one M5 case where only a set of new struts finally brought edc back to life.

I know myself and Helmsman got no error code but Rantar, Sunny D and DaveAddiction all got EC.

Sunny D have you checked that your dealer recoded after installing the new module ? Are you still getting error codes ?

I had mine installed by and Indy as I am out of warranty. But, I have a pro coder coming over my place Saturday AM to confirm the recode was done correctly.

The new module does not produce any error codes.

For fun.. (not at all) last night I pulled the new module, and put the old one back in. The old one worked at first start, and felt softer (correct). On second start, I got EDC errors again, and they were back. Put the new module back in, and the errors went away, but, the car feels stiff all the time again.

Will report back after the coding visit Saturday.

[davesaddiction]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

.

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Happens all the time even if the part is the same.

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

Good to see we got a few more people.
I don't think there is a single fix-it-all repair for all us...

So, ten minutes ago, the first line of this reply was going to be "No plug & play easy fix for me...", but unless my car is just playing games with me, I might have exactly that with my $95 used EDC module off Ebay!

I get Fridays off, so today was the day to give this a shot (the module arrived in the mail a couple days ago - I had it on my nightstand, and my wife asked "what is that?" I told her it was hopefully going to save me quite a bit of money!). I took the printed instructions for how to get to the module - thanks Joe! - and dove in. I disconnected the battery and it was pretty smooth sailing most of the way. Note - the black "plugs" that hold the trunk lining in place are two pieces each. I had to fish one out of the battery carrier with some duct tape after I fumbled it... It's a little tight once you get to the module, especially since I just moved the trunk liner out of the way instead of completely removing it. You have to maneuver the insulation mat just right so you can remove the module carrier and see the right way to open the clips to remove the two plugs from the module. Anyway, I was a little unsure at times, but I kept going methodically and finally got the old one out and the newer one swapped in and the battery reconnected and everything buttoned up.

Okay, so moment of truth... I start her up, and there's the same damn EDC message I've been seeing for months. "Crap", I think - guess I'll need to give Mike a call to see if he can help me out (hoping this newer unit is actually good). For grins, I take it out on a short drive thinking maybe that will work. The little ! triangle stays lit and the ride still feels pretty rough, so I resign myself to living with it for a little while longer and touching base with Mike soon.

I pull into the garage, and shut her down, and... no chime! What? I fire the car back up and no EDC message! I go into the info and check to make sure - nothing. Woohoo!!! The ! triangle stayed lit because I'm low on gas.

So, for the moment, it looks like it's fixed. I still need to take a longer drive to feel out the suspension and try the different modes to see if all is truly well, but right now, I'm feeling great, like I saved $1000. Heading out for that longer driver now!

Thanks you guys!

Dave

Edit - back from a longer drive, no codes, Sport Mode is definitely more harsh over rough pavement than Comfort, button's lighting up the way it should, everything seems to be good. Not sure if Comfort is a supple as I remember it, but it's been a while, so it could just be my memory. Real test of this will be the commute on Monday, I guess.

[Helmsman]

Dave, great news, congrats man!

[davesaddiction]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Dave, great news, congrats man!

Thanks, brother! I really do appreciate all the info you all put in this thread. Definitely gave me the confidence to tackle this instead of paying the BMW tax at the dealer.

[BPMSport]

Win! Glad it works now!

[davesaddiction]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Win! Glad it works now!

Thanks, Mike! I wouldn't have tried it without the good info you shared.

[Rajmun340]

Originally Posted by davesaddiction

So, ten minutes ago, the first line of this reply was going to be "No plug & play easy fix for me...", but unless my car is just playing games with me, I might have exactly that with my $95 used EDC module off Ebay!


Dave

Edit - back from a longer drive, no codes, Sport Mode is definitely more harsh over rough pavement than Comfort, button's lighting up the way it should, everything seems to be good. Not sure if Comfort is a supple as I remember it, but it's been a while, so it could just be my memory. Real test of this will be the commute on Monday, I guess.

Dave, well done on swapping the module, i'm glad the info i dug helped you. If all goes well and we all get it fixed it will be helpful for future people.

You cleared the error messages, it's a step forward. That means the module is talking and from the electronic side at least all is well. But only your butt can tell you if it is really working all the way down to the solenoid valves inside the struts, something the edc module cannot (as I explained)... I sense ambivalence in your post as to whether the difference between comfort and sport is working or is it just wishful thinking and a quasi inexistant difference ?
I would say that unless you got a definitive and clear difference between modes you may still have the same predicament as my car and Helmsman's.

I have started to think that the valve inside the strut fails prematurely but gradually over the years which leads to gradual disappearance of difference between modes. The valve is mechanically pushed by a spring at all times which closes the oil passage. The solenoid creates magnetic forces sufficient to move the valve open, unless something is wrong.

The second close runner theory is that vertical acceleration sensors are going bad. What i have learned is that the edc module will default to sport mode if it senses bad road conditions (bmw technical note). A vertical sensor giving a noisy data may mislead the edc module into thinking the road condition are bad all the time. Each sensor cost is ~ $102 and they are mounted in the wheel arches.

Hopefully though i am wrong and if you reset your new module, comfort will work as strongly as before.

You disconnected the battery but that may not be enough to reset the board if it has a secondary chip battery for holding data. The dealer should be able to reset it if it needs reset.

[davesaddiction]

[QUOTE=JoeM3SSII]

Originally Posted by davesaddiction

Dave, well done on swapping the module, i'm glad the info i dug helped you. If all goes well and we all get it fixed it will be helpful for future people.

You cleared the error messages, it's a step forward. That means the module is talking and from the electronic side at least all is well. But only your butt can tell you if it is really working all the way down to the solenoid valves inside the struts, something the edc module cannot (as I explained)... I sense ambivalence in your post as to whether the difference between comfort and sport is working or is it just wishful thinking and a quasi inexistant difference ?
I would say that unless you got a definitive and clear difference between modes you may still have the same predicament as my car and Helmsman's.

I have started to think that the valve inside the strut fails prematurely but gradually over the years which leads to gradual disappearance of difference between modes. The valve is mechanically pushed by a spring at all times which closes the oil passage. The solenoid creates magnetic forces sufficient to move the valve open, unless something is wrong.

The second close runner theory is that vertical acceleration sensors are going bad. What i have learned is that the edc module will default to sport mode if it senses bad road conditions (bmw technical note). A vertical sensor giving a noisy data may mislead the edc module into thinking the road condition are bad all the time. Each sensor cost is ~ $102 and they are mounted in the wheel arches.

Hopefully though i am wrong and if you reset your new module, comfort will work as strongly as before.

You disconnected the battery but that may not be enough to reset the board if it has a secondary chip battery for holding data. The dealer should be able to reset it if it needs reset.

Thanks again, Joe.

I took another longer drive yesterday evening on city streets and Comfort mode is definitely much less jarring over the stretch of road I took than it was the last time I drove it with EDC not working. I can coast over rough sections and small potholes now that would have completely unsettled the car before. I only referenced my commute because some of the roads around downtown are the roughest that I encounter on a regular basis.

After living with the car basically in Sport mode (harsher than that, actually, correct?) for months, it's just hard to recall exactly how smooth the ride was in Comfort before the issue. And, according to Mike, the module does store some settings and adjusts over time, so it's important to get one from the same variant (the seller offered me one from an E93 - nope!). Since I got a module from an '11 sedan with presumably less miles on the suspension, it makes some sense that the three settings might feel slightly different than they did when my old module was still working.

Anyway, I'm super happy that my car is "whole" again and that I don't have to hear that damn chime every time I power her off anymore!

[Rajmun340]

[QUOTE=davesaddiction;20440416]

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

Thanks again, Joe.

I took another longer drive yesterday evening on city streets and Comfort mode is definitely much less jarring over the stretch of road I took than it was the last time I drove it with EDC not working. I can coast over rough sections and small potholes now that would have completely unsettled the car before. I only referenced my commute because some of the roads around downtown are the roughest that I encounter on a regular basis.

After living with the car basically in Sport mode (harsher than that, actually, correct?) for months, it's just hard to recall exactly how smooth the ride was in Comfort before the issue. And, according to Mike, the module does store some settings and adjusts over time, so it's important to get one from the same variant (the seller offered me one from an E93 - nope!). Since I got a module from an '11 sedan with presumably less miles on the suspension, it makes some sense that the three settings might feel slightly different than they did when my old module was still working.

Anyway, I'm super happy that my car is "whole" again and that I don't have to hear that damn chime every time I power her off anymore!

I understand that getting rid of the warning chime is an emotional boost, but honestly, based on your description i don't think your edc is working. Not as it is supposed to and that is with adaptation accounted for. I'll just let you reflect on the following observation : When my edc worked, on average road conditions for speeds in the 50 mph i could tell blindfolded the moment that someone else pressed the edc to sport or to comfort and vice versa. The feeling of the road asperities is immediately different, and you don't have to be sensible to feel it.

[davesaddiction]

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

I understand that getting rid of the warning chime is an emotional boost, but honestly, based on your description i don't think your edc is working. Not as it is supposed to and that is with adaptation accounted for. I'll just let you reflect on the following observation : When my edc worked, on average road conditions for speeds in the 50 mph i could tell blindfolded the moment that someone else pressed the edc to sport or to comfort and vice versa. The feeling of the road asperities is immediately different, and you don't have to be sensible to feel it.

I don't know what else to tell you. It's very clear that it is working. The difference between Comfort & Sport is completely obvious now, just like you're referencing.

I'm just saying that it's possible that with the new module in and no recoding from the dealer, the 3 settings aren't completely identical to what they were before mine went bad, due to the differences between the suspension components of an '08 with 90k miles and an '11 with ??k miles. With another drive this morning, the suspension is more than supple enough in Comfort that I don't see the need to pay the dealer to recode it.

[Rajmun340]

Originally Posted by davesaddiction

I don't know what else to tell you. It's very clear that it is working. The difference between Comfort & Sport is completely obvious now, just like you're referencing.

I'm just saying that it's possible that with the new module in and no recoding from the dealer, the 3 settings aren't completely identical to what they were before mine went bad, due to the differences between the suspension components of an '08 with 90k miles and an '11 with ??k miles. With another drive this morning, the suspension is more than supple enough in Comfort that I don't see the need to pay the dealer to recode it.

that sounds much better , I'm glad you got it to work again. When you said earlier " I took another longer drive yesterday evening on city streets ...", it reminded me of the dealer doing the same and trying to represent that it is working when you know sure as hell that it's not, as the original owner of the car from day one.

Btw the adaptation takes into account the mileage on the shocks from last reset of a special memory in the module which is probably the main cause for the difference you feel.

[davesaddiction]

Yeah, the reason for the longer drive was just to give a lift to my neighbor to go pick up his car, not to convince myself it was actually working - ha!

After another long drive today, including a highway stretch (to pick up my son's friend), I can again confirm it feels great, just like the first test drive - like being able to go for a run with your dog with no worries after he's been lame for a while!

I love this car... Hope you guys get the issue resolved soon.

[Helmsman]

Joe, left my car with the dealer today for a week during traveling. I will keep in touch reg their actions however their mindset continue to be there is nothing wrong.

Should your guys come up with something during the coming week Id appreciate if you let me know, so I can feed that in over here.

Thanks

[Sunny D]

Hi all, I have an update on mine. Had local ATL coder Niv pay a visit last weekend. He recoded the new module, and made sure the VIN is attached, and now it is working! The differences between the three modes are there for sure, but, I still swear it is not as smooth as before. It would be due to my tires that need to be replaced... But I am happy now!