Need help. Possible issue right before track day.

[Erhan]

F my life. My car had a tech inspection at the dealer on Saturday. (standard procedure to be able to take the car to the track). I didn't drive It afterwards since I was on a business trip.

This morning, I got this noise which repeated again this afternoon and the car said engine malfunction, reduced power.

The noise: you know when u first start the car, there's this noise coming from driver side of the engine department like an electric motor adjusting something for few seconds. It sometimes does it after turning off the car too.

The noise never sounded like a problem to me, except this morning and evening it was a lot longer in duration and kept coming time to time. And on my way to home, I heard it again and this time I got the reduced power thing too. After turning off and on the car back, it error didn't come back. Wtf?

I've to go for a dinner now, and I'll drive the m3 to see if it happens again. Freaking thing came right before track day!

Any input appreciated.

Thanks!

[DavidZ]

The source of the noise is answered here. Doubt it has anything to do with your warning message. You could search for that warning.

[JCtx]

That noise comes from your ABS/DSC pump pressurizing the system. It shouldn't take longer than a couple of seconds to build pressure; something might be wrong. First thing to check is brake fluid level, although if low, you should have gotten a dash light. Might be a malfunction. You need a code reader to see what's the culprit. I can see having 'reduced power' without brakes operating properly, but I'd expect iDrive to be more specific. With these stupid cars, you never know. Good luck man.

[JohnnyRoaster]

Just a thought but check that they screwed the cap on tight on the brake fluid reservoir. Tech inspections are most concerned that you have fresh brake fluid without any water in it. That can be a problem on the track

I always have to check my oil cap after service. Seems they never put it on right.

Hope everything works out and you enjoy your track day.

[Erhan]

Thanks for the answers. It keeps coming every couple minutes. I'll try to see if there's any correlation to my braking. I mean maybe after I brake, somehow brake pressure goes down? I'll check the cap too. Thanks guys.

[llis]

Have fun at the track!

[Erhan]

Can't really say if the noise is related to braking. The pedal feel seems ok. Most of the time, after braking, I hear it during acceleration. I didn't get any more reduced power mode thing. Don't know what should I do?

[Seattle S65B40]

Yo - sorry to hear you're having issues. I am sure it's fine to drive. I have had one and done issues on all three BMWs I've owned and they never resurface. Unless there is a light on in the dash, a warning message on your iDrive or 'limp mode' you can drive it like it's stolen. It can take it.

Let us know your lap times! Bremerton?

[Erhan]

Well, I will go. And if shit happens on my way there, then it happens. The dealer is gonna be on my way. The car didn't go into limp mode again, and no light on the dashboard. iDrive "vehicle status" checks are fine too..

I will be at Pacific Raceways at Kent. And I use BMW Seattle for my service needs. The dealer is about 30 miles from home, and 30 miles from the track.

[Erhan]

Well it happened again. The car went into limp mode. Reduced power... (now I know how people with no zcp feels).

I'm at the dealer now, my SA is rushed my car into the service so I'm just hoping that it gets fixed on time so that I can still make it to track.

[Seattle S65B40]

sucks to hear man. Keep us updated.

Let me know next time you want to hit the track. i could be down to roll. We can finally put the DCT v. 6MT nonsense to rest!

[kibosh]

Originally Posted by erhanh

Well it happened again. The car went into limp mode. Reduced power... (now I know how people with no zcp feels).

I'm at the dealer now, my SA is rushed my car into the service so I'm just hoping that it gets fixed on time so that I can still make it to track.

Damn, that sucks. Hopefully they can get it sorted out quickly (or more accurately, hopefully they already have)

[Erhan]

Just talked to my SA, two people working on it and so far no luck.

[Erhan]

Ehhhh no good. That abs/dsc pump needs to be replaced, and I'm told there's none in whole US. They say expect 2 weeks.

They're putting it together and I'll be going home

[sameh]

Originally Posted by erhanh

Ehhhh no good. That abs/dsc pump needs to be replaced, and I'm told there's none in whole US. They say expect 2 weeks.

They're putting it together and I'll be going home

Going home with it? I'd leave it there and get a cab.

[DerekSelmanRacing]

Demand a loaner...sounds like a brake/stability issue making car unsafe to drive. Then take your loaner to the track!

[Erhan]

They don't have any loaners, and the car is drivable. I don't have any issues with brakes, they work fine. I put extra distance with cars in front of me just in case and use engine brake where possible.

I just came home and parked the car for good.

@Derek, if they had a loaner, I would seriously take it to track

thanks guys..

[DavidZ]

Are you going to the track with another car? This is an "11.5 M3? How many miles on it? My "11.5 died and was fixed at just 975 miles.

[Crazy Bimmer]

Could always get a rental for the track day. I seen some caprices lapping some fast cars. Assuming you a good driver.

[Erhan]

@DavidZ, Yes I bought it brand new and it has 3100miles on it now. It is really unexpected for a pump to fail this early, but then shit happens. Just to make it clear, this was not a lapping day, it was HPDS and it would be my first.

@Crayz, I'm an OK driver I guess, but need a lot more learning and seat time. When I left the dealer, it was already couple hours after the event start, and from there I still have to drive almost another hour to track, find a rental, explain lead instructor/registar what happened etc... I was de-moralized already.. There is a lot more track days so just need some patience.

[JohnnyRoaster]

Sorry to hear things didn't work out. Hopefully they get the part sooner than expected.

[Erhan]

Weirdly, I got a call from my SA this morning saying that they have a pump... Before I was told to expect to wait about 2 weeks. Anyways, I took the car there around noon, and now it is fixed...

BUT, I still hear the pump turning on pretty much everytime I brake... I took the car back to the dealer after driving around for couple minutes, they checked again and they said it is normal. It might be normal, probably I'm paying more attention to the pump now.

So, can you guys do me a favor and pay attention to your abs/dsc pump? Thanks!