Replacing My Throttle Actuators

[Chris_08_M3]

My car through a P2100 code, is in limp mode and has a bunch of iDrive messages listing all the malfunctions. I figured it was the throttle actuators based on my research on this forum.

My question is can I start the engine after installing the actuators BUT before putting back the plenum and intake? I want to make sure that the codes go away and limp mode is gone before putting everything back together.

I am also replacing the thermostat since I already have the car apart. I bought it 2 years ago as I get random thermostat codes during the cold weather and was planning on doing the change at some point.

BTW I have already pulled out the actuators and am just waiting for the new ones from M Power Motorsports. The DYI was extremely helpful and I am glad I did this myself.

Thanks in advance for your help

[SaNGRia]

Yes you can. Make sure the place you start the engine is clean and not dusty

Originally Posted by Chris_08_M3

My car through a P2100 code, is in limp mode and has a bunch of iDrive messages listing all the malfunctions. I figured it was the throttle actuators based on my research on this forum.

My question is can I start the engine after installing the actuators BUT before putting back the plenum and intake? I want to make sure that the codes go away and limp mode is gone before putting everything back together.

I am also replacing the thermostat since I already have the car apart. I bought it 2 years ago as I get random thermostat codes during the cold weather and was planning on doing the change at some point.

BTW I have already pulled out the actuators and am just waiting for the new ones from M Power Motorsports. The DYI was extremely helpful and I am glad I did this myself.

Thanks in advance for your help

[BOOF-M3]

Just place the plenum on top but don't seat it and plug in the two clips.

[Chris_08_M3]

Awesome...thanks guys

[EJT86]

Why would you want to? Unfiltered air isn’t good, so the question is what are you really saving? Are you really going to pull the new actuators out and put the old ones BACK in and wait for them to fail then do the whole thing again a year from now? If not then what’s the point of letting in unfiltered air

[DreamTime]

You might consider replacing the temp sensor also if you're doing the thermostat. That's what I did when I replaced my thermostat & water pump earlier this year. It's not an expensive part and it's right on top of the thermostat housing, it takes seconds to replace if you're already in there. Obviously, this isn't going to make or break anything, just a suggestion

[steven_s]

lol funny, my car is going through the exact same thing; TA and thermostat

[Chris_08_M3]

Originally Posted by EJT86

Why would you want to? Unfiltered air isn’t good, so the question is what are you really saving? Are you really going to pull the new actuators out and put the old ones BACK in and wait for them to fail then do the whole thing again a year from now? If not then what’s the point of letting in unfiltered air

I just wanted to start to car to see if the limp mode and error messages disappeared. Anways I put it all together before starting because I did not want unfiltered air coming in.

[Chris_08_M3]

Originally Posted by DreamTime

You might consider replacing the temp sensor also if you're doing the thermostat. That's what I did when I replaced my thermostat & water pump earlier this year. It's not an expensive part and it's right on top of the thermostat housing, it takes seconds to replace if you're already in there. Obviously, this isn't going to make or break anything, just a suggestion

I actually did not end up doing the thermostat. Once I got the actuators in I started plugging in all the electrical, tightening up all the bolts and then one thing lead to another I had the engine all back together! I figure I have to go back in their at some point this year because I noticed the valve cover has a leak and then I'll do the thermostat, sensor and water pump at that time. Maybe even the belts and hoses...you can go crazy here.

But anyways I am happy to report the car works great now, error codes and limp mode went away. All I had to do was clear the check engine light and then I was done.

Honestly the hardest part of the hold whole thing was getting some electrical unplugged/reconnected and getting the plenum seated properly.

[DreamTime]

Originally Posted by Chris_08_M3

I actually did not end up doing the thermostat. Once I got the actuators in I started plugging in all the electrical, tightening up all the bolts and then one thing lead to another I had the engine all back together! I figure I have to go back in their at some point this year because I noticed the valve cover has a leak and then I'll do the thermostat, sensor and water pump at that time. Maybe even the belts and hoses...you can go crazy here.

Yeah, I think I'm going to do my valve cover gaskets before too long too. I was also planning on doing my cooling system hoses this winter, although I was pleasantly surprised at how well they had held up when I was messing with some of them during the wp/thermostat job.

Originally Posted by Chris_08_M3

But anyways I am happy to report the car works great now, error codes and limp mode went away. All I had to do was clear the check engine light and then I was done.

Honestly the hardest part of the hold whole thing was getting some electrical unplugged/reconnected and getting the plenum seated properly.

good job man! That is awesome! At some point, I know my TAs will crap out and I'll need to do this. Thankfully, I have helped a friend do this work on his E92 so I'm pretty familiar with the process. I agree - one of the harder parts was unplugging/reconnecting all those parts of the wiring harness. All those little connectors really need to be handled with care.

[EJT86]

Originally Posted by DreamTime

Yeah, I think I'm going to do my valve cover gaskets before too long too. I was also planning on doing my cooling system hoses this winter, although I was pleasantly surprised at how well they had held up when I was messing with some of them during the wp/thermostat job.



good job man! That is awesome! At some point, I know my TAs will crap out and I'll need to do this. Thankfully, I have helped a friend do this work on his E92 so I'm pretty familiar with the process. I agree - one of the harder parts was unplugging/reconnecting all those parts of the wiring harness. All those little connectors really need to be handled with care.

I did mine without unplugging the wire harness at all, I think I unplugged one or two plugs to gain a lil room. Not that it’s at all easy to get them out but it’s an option

[DreamTime]

Originally Posted by EJT86

I did mine without unplugging the wire harness at all, I think I unplugged one or two plugs to gain a lil room. Not that it’s at all easy to get them out but it’s an option

Cool... well, maybe when it comes time to do mine you can drive down from Boston and show me/help

[EJT86]

Originally Posted by DreamTime

Cool... well, maybe when it comes time to do mine you can drive down from Boston and show me/help

Sounds like a plan, drinks are on you tho

[DreamTime]

Originally Posted by EJT86

Sounds like a plan, drinks are on you tho

Lol, that seems fair