DIY: S65 Throttle Actuator

[Bavarian Beast]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Have you provided the above SIB# to them?

No, but I will. Thanks.

[jpan08]

Originally Posted by W///

Thank you! Nice E36 M3 btw! I've got a Techno Violet coupe myself. Doesn't get driven much these days, but I do love the way these cars drive!

Same here, I like your line up too!

Finally got around to changing both of the actuators during a day that was above freezing. Thanks to you and a video i found on youtube, only took me 2 hours.

[eswaroop]

What torque spec do I use on the bolts that hold the actuators in place ?

I tried a few torque spec reference articles but they don't call this one out?

[lmendz71]

Thanks everyone who contributed this DIY. I changed my bank 1 throttle actuator 60,400 miles on it. It took me 5-6H to do it, pretty serious tight spaces, I don't have a mechanic hands, it's really challenging disconnecting sensors as well! But I did it!

[eswaroop]

Originally Posted by lmendz71

Thanks everyone who contributed this DIY. I changed my bank 1 throttle actuator 60,400 miles on it. It took me 5-6H to do it, pretty serious tight spaces, I don't have a mechanic hands, it's really challenging disconnecting sensors as well! But I did it!

Congrats! Feels great doesnt it - it was hard for me to disconnect a long connector that is secured by a clip - finally had to do without disconnecting it

What torque did you use on the 3 bolts for bolting the actuators back to the engine body ?

[lmendz71]

Originally Posted by eswaroop

Congrats! Feels great doesnt it - it was hard for me to disconnect a long connector that is secured by a clip - finally had to do without disconnecting it

What torque did you use on the 3 bolts for bolting the actuators back to the engine body ?

I didn't use a torque wrench, I just went by feel. Yes you're right those sensors are really hard to disconnect. If I had to do it again prolly less than 3h for sure!

[RC Post]

Does it look like I'll be having to replace the TA?

I cleared the codes. Went for a drive around the block and, sure enough, came back and went into limp mode..

[Ab28]

Originally Posted by RC Post

Does it look like I'll be having to replace the TA?

I cleared the codes. Went for a drive around the block and, sure enough, came back and went into limp mode..

Those are the exact codes thrown when it's the TA.

Scan the car and I bet a dollar it's them.

[RC Post]

Scanned it with the Torque app and P1628 came up.

Just ordered two OEM TA from FCP. Might as well do both since I'll be in there and also the spark plugs.

[W///]

Originally Posted by RC Post

Scanned it with the Torque app and P1628 came up.

Just ordered two OEM TA from FCP. Might as well do both since I'll be in there and also the spark plugs.

Good idea. Personally though, I don't change the TA unless I have to. The reason I say that is because each bank went 30k miles apart for me. The job is easy enough once you do it, so no point in throwing money on a perfectly good part.

[RC Post]

I contemplated that idea as well. But it's my daily and I hardly have time to work on it and once I do have a day off I don't want to wrench haha. I'll just knock both out and just have the working actuator on hand I guess..

[lmendz71]

Originally Posted by W///

Good idea. Personally though, I don't change the TA unless I have to. The reason I say that is because each bank went 30k miles apart for me. The job is easy enough once you do it, so no point in throwing money on a perfectly good part.

Totally agree! I go by the saying "If ain't broken don't fix it! " I'm not worried about it anymore since I did it before already.

[eswaroop]

Originally Posted by RC Post

Scanned it with the Torque app and P1628 came up.

Just ordered two OEM TA from FCP. Might as well do both since I'll be in there and also the spark plugs.

Clean and lube the linkages wirh proper type of lube while you are at it - have heard the TAs fail because the linkages get dirty over time

How many miles on the car ?

[RC Post]

It's at 66,720

Linkage inside the TA?

[RC Post]

Just finished the TA! Back up and running. Took a total of 1 hour and 40 mins for both TA swapped out and in. The spark plugs took longer..

Looks to be original actuators by the date stamp.

Thanks for the write up and everyone who chimed in this thread. Very doable repair.

[SAMM3Y]

Originally Posted by RC Post

It's at 66,720

Linkage inside the TA?

He's talking about the throttle body linkage. They get a little squeaky and give more resistance then they should when you exercise them which causes the gears in the throttle actuator which are plastic to work harder then they should. Bank 2 on mine were like this and required a little cleaning and lubing for a nice crisp snap back. I just used a little throttle cable lube that I use for my dirt bikes.. I'll check it again when the plenum comes back off shortly..

[Ab28]

Originally Posted by RC Post

Just finished the TA! Back up and running. Took a total of 1 hour and 40 mins for both TA swapped out and in. The spark plugs took longer..

Looks to be original actuators by the date stamp.

Thanks for the write up and everyone who chimed in this thread. Very doable repair.

Good work. About the same amount of time it took me the first time I did it.

Definitely an exaggerated repair from shops.

[qbnlykwhoa]

Thanks for this DIY, did mine yesterday in about 2 hours. Pretty easy job to be honest. I went with the rebuilt ones from M Power Motorsports and they were awesome to deal with.

Went for a short drive after and everything looks to be running awesome again, no more limp mode!

[eswaroop]

Originally Posted by qbnlykwhoa

Thanks for this DIY, did mine yesterday in about 2 hours. Pretty easy job to be honest. I went with the rebuilt ones from M Power Motorsports and they were awesome to deal with.

Went for a short drive after and everything looks to be running awesome again, no more limp mode!

Can anyone answer this question below ?

When your car cycles through the TA initialization check do the valves open all the way and close or just kinda click in place ? Mine used to open and close all the way before I rebuilt the actuators and they just seem to click in place vs a full open close

Without the engine running but power on when I press the accelerator all the way the actuators do open the valves all the way and close them - no codes being thrown

Wonder why the initialization changed this way ? Is it normal?

[SAMM3Y]

Originally Posted by eswaroop

Can anyone answer this question below ?

When your car cycles through the TA initialization check do the valves open all the way and close or just kinda click in place ? Mine used to open and close all the way before I rebuilt the actuators and they just seem to click in place vs a full open close

Without the engine running but power on when I press the accelerator all the way the actuators do open the valves all the way and close them - no codes being thrown

Wonder why the initialization changed this way ? Is it normal?

Sounds like the ECM's on your TA's were looking for the home position. Were your old gears heavily worn? That could cause it..

[eswaroop]

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

Sounds like the ECM's on your TA's were looking for the home position. Were your old gears heavily worn? That could cause it..

Not too bad.. so the normal initialization cycle is just a quick click ?

That's what they seem to be doing on my 2012 M3 as well so guess I'm good now :-)

[SAMM3Y]

Originally Posted by eswaroop

Not too bad.. so the normal initialization cycle is just a quick click ?

That's what they seem to be doing on my 2012 M3 as well so guess I'm good now :-)

I've never looked at mine during ignition but I can't imagine why they'd exercise. I mean when you start the car it's the idle air control valve that controls the idle, so unless the computer cant see the throttle position why would it exercise? Just thinking out loud, but I'm pretty sure mine doesn't do that..