[Expert Needed!] Do I need to replace my throttle actuators?

[TrafficJam]

Hello everyone,

So I had my 2010 M3 for almost 4 months now. I did the rod bearing job last month and decide to take the car to the track.

However, only after 2 sessions, I ran into problems. First it was the braking and the ABS light, with message: Braking/Chassis Stabilization Malfunction, ABS Malfunction. After several restart and some normal driving, these lights disappear. Later on, the check engine light appears with message: Increased Emissions.

Due to those lights, I went back home early. During the 2.5 hours of highway driving, I didn't notice anything strange. The car runs smooth and the power delivery is just fine. After I arrived home, I used OBD and got all those errors:
2B2C: Throttle Initialization Bank 1
2B59: Coolant thermostat monitoring
277B: Fuel Cap message
27C7: Lambda probe adaptation trim control bank 2
2729: Lambda probe thrust diagnosis in front of Kat Bank 2
2727: Lambda probe plausibility before Kat Bank 2
5DA3 - Speed controller front right Start detection v_comparison
5DA6 - Direction of rotation detection right front
5DA1 - Speed control front right extrapolation
5DA0 - speed control front right electrically faulty
5FF1: analog wheel speed left: deviation too big
5FF2: analog wheel speed right: deviation too big
5FF3: CAN wheel speed front left: deviation too high
5FF4: CAN wheel speed front right: deviation too high
5FF8: CAN wheel speeds: timeout or invalid

After a diagnose at a bmw-specify race shop, they told me that the throttle actuator is bad and recommend me to replace both. Besides, there are some sensor replacements as well as a thermostat replacement. The shop quoted me around 2800 to do all of these.

Now here comes the question, I didn't see any error code that is related to TA. Although there is a "Throttle Initialization Bank 1" error, I am not sure if it is related to TA or not. Can anybody provide some advice? I don't want to replace TA when it is not broken yet. Thanks a lot!

[deansbimmer]

Yes, 2B2C is a throttle actuator fault. I

It looks like you need more thorough diagnostics however. Actuators communicate within the powertrain network along with the DSC and can fail in a way that causes a lot of DSC faults. This would usually result in other faults though. I'd still replace the actuators.

Treatment with BMW's ISTA-D software would be required to diagnose properly but it looks like you have a lot of unrelated issues present that need to be sorted out.

[Ultimatemj]

Agree with deansbimmer, and would add replace the wheel speed sensors...they are cheap, easy to replace, and can cause a 'cascade of errors' that cause you to chase your tail.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by Ultimatemj

Agree with deansbimmer, and would add replace the wheel speed sensors...they are cheap, easy to replace, and can cause a 'cascade of errors' that cause you to chase your tail.

I would not replace any wheel speed sensors until further testing of the CAN signals and other control systems. It's extremely unlikely that multiple wheel speed sensors failed simultaneously.

[tbuck]

Having that many codes pop up at one time may also suggest you may have a battery that is on the way out. Voltage issues can also trigger oddball codes. That many at once is nuts!

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by tbuck

Having that many codes pop up at one time may also suggest you may have a battery that is on the way out. Voltage issues can also trigger oddball codes. That many at once is nuts!

Battery voltage low enough to cause system issues will always store undervoltage faults within the affected modules.

[tbuck]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Battery voltage low enough to cause system issues will always store undervoltage faults within the affected modules.

Ah, yeah that makes sense. Good to know, thanks!

[tdott]

While a TA might be on the way out.

Given time, I would clear the codes and see which ones come back first and address that first. Also check the live readings to see which/if a speed sensor is bad and replace that.

Then after that if the TA code keeps coming back I'd look at changing those along with the tstat and cool temp sensor. If you are feeling preventative then change the waterpump while in there.

But if this is your daily and you can't afford the downtime. I guess you can always do it all at once and hopefully cover it all in one go.

[TrafficJam]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Yes, 2B2C is a throttle actuator fault. I

It looks like you need more thorough diagnostics however. Actuators communicate within the powertrain network along with the DSC and can fail in a way that causes a lot of DSC faults. This would usually result in other faults though. I'd still replace the actuators.

Treatment with BMW's ISTA-D software would be required to diagnose properly but it looks like you have a lot of unrelated issues present that need to be sorted out.

Thanks a lot, I am currently in process of replacing actuators. Technicians will do further testing on sensors and other faults after that. Do you think this shop gave reasonable price? I think they are a bit expensive on the parts.

[TrafficJam]

Originally Posted by tdott

While a TA might be on the way out.

Given time, I would clear the codes and see which ones come back first and address that first. Also check the live readings to see which/if a speed sensor is bad and replace that.

Then after that if the TA code keeps coming back I'd look at changing those along with the tstat and cool temp sensor. If you are feeling preventative then change the waterpump while in there.

But if this is your daily and you can't afford the downtime. I guess you can always do it all at once and hopefully cover it all in one go.

It is not my daily, just a fun car. But I hope to do it at once so I can start do some track days with it soon. I was busy recently, otherwise I may considering DIY the TA. I heard this job is not that complicate.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by TrafficJam

Thanks a lot, I am currently in process of replacing actuators. Technicians will do further testing on sensors and other faults after that. Do you think this shop gave reasonable price? I think they are a bit expensive on the parts.

Their pricing appears pretty typical. Shops generally charge list price on parts, not at or below their cost like you might find through online wholesalers. Their labor is significantly below book rate though, so the total job is quite acceptable.

[georgebmwM3]

Originally Posted by tbuck

Having that many codes pop up at one time may also suggest you may have a battery that is on the way out. Voltage issues can also trigger oddball codes. That many at once is nuts!

I had the emission error when my battery went out.

[JPSurratt2005]

If you have the time to wait I highly recommend getting an upgraded set from EuroParts. Way cheaper, upgraded gears, and all circuit board components tested or replaced.

https://eupartspalace.com/product/bm...ttle-actuator/

[TrafficJam]

Originally Posted by JPSurratt2005

If you have the time to wait I highly recommend getting an upgraded set from EuroParts. Way cheaper, upgraded gears, and all circuit board components tested or replaced.

https://eupartspalace.com/product/bm...ttle-actuator/

Thanks a lot. Unfortunately not this time. I will definitely look into this if I need to do this repair again in the future.

[TrafficJam]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Their pricing appears pretty typical. Shops generally charge list price on parts, not at or below their cost like you might find through online wholesalers. Their labor is significantly below book rate though, so the total job is quite acceptable.

Thanks, this makes me feel bit better