DIY: S65 Throttle Actuator

[Z K]

Originally Posted by drrust

Take it to an independent shop. If you're in the Bay Area there are supposedly very good shops near you. You may want to check out Steve Dinan's Carbahn shops. $300 for labor sounds extremely high.

I don't know if you've ever priced out labor at Dinan's shop... it's usually about the same as dealer prices and sometimes more expensive because they claim to do a better job than the dealer. That may be be so but definitely not a place to go if you're trying to save money.

[drrust]

Originally Posted by Z K

I don't know if you've ever priced out labor at Dinan's shop... it's usually about the same as dealer prices and sometimes more expensive because they claim to do a better job than the dealer. That may be be so but definitely not a place to go if you're trying to save money.

All the more reason to do it yourself. You are after all asking in the DIY for this job. You can get yourself a decent set of tools for the cost of the labor. Not to mention most shops want the markup on the parts.

[gazosnic]

Thanks for the DIY. Quick question when I replace the TA and connect everything - can I start the car in accessory mode to see if everything works before I go through all the trouble of putting the plenum and air box back in?

[da jemster]

Originally Posted by gazosnic

Thanks for the DIY. Quick question when I replace the TA and connect everything - can I start the car in accessory mode to see if everything works before I go through all the trouble of putting the plenum and air box back in?

Yep

[gazosnic]

Thanks. Just did mine and spark plugs at the same time. Wasn’t too bad of a diy. I really took my time and it was about 4 hrs to do both.

[kshaikh]

Originally Posted by Z K

I don't know if you've ever priced out labor at Dinan's shop... it's usually about the same as dealer prices and sometimes more expensive because they claim to do a better job than the dealer. That may be be so but definitely not a place to go if you're trying to save money.

Originally Posted by Z K

I don't know if you've ever priced out labor at Dinan's shop... it's usually about the same as dealer prices and sometimes more expensive because they claim to do a better job than the dealer. That may be be so but definitely not a place to go if you're trying to save money.

Around 7-8K for rod bearings.

[///Mbitions]

Thankful for this diy and thankful for this forum, also to Abdul@mpowermotorsports for providing his services. Did both actuators Monday, love that there are so many M owners/lovers who try to help out others anyway they can.

[M3amigos]

Update: in June after about two years ~30k miles, one of my replacement (odometer) gears failed and shattered into pieces. i went with two rebuilds from mpower/abdul and have been up and running again for the last 4 months without issue. Customer service is good and the rebuilds seem to have good reliability for the price and lifetime warranty if ever needed again.

[jpan08]

Originally Posted by W///

Background:
Our V8's are prone to have to throttle actuator issues. It throws the car into limp mode. On my particular car, it threw the code 2B21 along with a few other ones.

Part number:
The S65 has 2 throttle actuators, one for each bank. They are the same part.
Part number = 13627838085. The cost is around $800 or so.

If you are looking straight at the engine from the front, Bank1 is on your LHS (by coolant reservoir and oil cap) and Bank2 is on your RHS (air intake side)

Tools needed:
Your regular socket set (6MM, 8MM, 10MM ect...)
Many ratchet extensions
Torx Set
Magnetic pick-up tool
Bavarian Technic Tool to clear code (or something similar) - EDIT: Seems like a few people have gotten away with not having to clear anything. Some have started right up with no codes.

I HIGHLY recommend getting a set of trim removal tools, rather than using a screw driver to pry and push things.

Note:
I've read dealerships quoting almost a $1000 for labor for this job, which is ridiculous. I'd say anyone with medium experience working on cars can do this. I do all my maintenance, but wouldn't know how to do an engine swap just to give you an idea of my skill level. I'd say around 4-5 hours for first timers if that. Probably less if you didn't have to go in blind without a DIY (this is why I'm here). Just note that there are some really tight spots in there but otherwise, it's not a bad DIY. Since you are in there, might not be a bad idea to change your sparkplugs if necessary since you'll have the most room possible.

Warning:
I'm not responsible for any damage to you or your car. Proceed at your own risk.

Let's begin. If you cannot get to this point (i.e remove airbox), give up all hope and get your wallet ready:


The next step is to remove the intake plenum. This is the DIY I used (thanks ELP_JC). I'll add my notes (in italics) and some pictures.
1 - 2. Remove air intake
3. Dislodge passenger's side sparkplug cover by giving it a yank on both ends. It is attached by 2 grommits. Once loose, you'll have to remove the 2 10mm bolts holding the coolant reservoir in place, push it to the front to dislodge it from the green grommet on the wheel well, and wiggle both (one with each hand) until you can remove the cover.
4. Remove driver's side sparkplug cover. It dislodges in the same manner as passenger side, but comes out much easier as there is more clearance. Just dislodge fuel hose from the top, and wiggle it under the hose.
CAUTION: Plastic clamps are easily broken, proceed with care.
5. Remove a plastic hose connected to the small piece between the plastic elbow and air filter housing; it has a manual clamp so piece of cake.
6. Remove plenum connector by the oil cap. The PCV valve connection is to the right of the oil cap, you can remove the metal latch and then pull down on the wire to remove it from the plenum.
7. Loosen up all 8 TB (throttle body) clamps with either a long screwdriver or a 6mm socket with extensions. I recommend using a 6MM socket. It's easier.


For the back 2 TB's, it'll be hard to see them. The easiest way to get to them is to go through the opening shown in the arrow. It'll be facing the same way as the other clamps

8. Push the plenum up to break it loose from the TBs. It will be on there tight, use a lot of force. Give it a few good yanks you will feel it break free.

CAUTION: Plastic clamps are easily broken, proceed with care.

Make sure all the clamps are very loose so that they aren't still holding the plenum. I'd say slowly push upwards in all directions first (so front, right, left) to loosen it up a little. Then use more force.

9. Once loose (it's easier), you need to disconnect another TWO hoses UNDER the plenum, both with manual clamps as well: a small one is in the front, below the 'snake' going to the air filter, and the big one at the rear, on the driver's side, where the brake booster should be. The manual clamps require pressure on each side to release the teeth holding it onto its

Look at Step 7, the second picture with the arrow. That's the hose that needs to be disconnected.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Congrats, you are half way there. The next step is to move the wire harness box out of the way to get to the throttle actuators! The goal is not to remove the item, but slide it to the side just so that we have enough access to get the actuator out.

Remove 4 bolts with a 10MM socket. They are highlighted in green.


Next, unplug the connector to BOTH throttle actuators (part of blue rectangles). This is where that trim removal comes in handy. The release is only at the top (thank goodness). Push it down, and use the tool or screwdriver to slowly push the connector out. Next to the Bank1 connector, remove the clip you see that I highlighted. Compress it and wiggle it out, you'll need all the room you can get if that's the actuator you are removing.

Then you need to look around and disconnect as many connectors in that area, all highlighted with blue rectangles. Without disconnecting them, the harness box does not move up high enough to get the actuator in and out. I labelled them with take just to be safe.

Next, if you look down by the belts, you'll see 2 clips that need to be pulled away from the engine to give that wire enough play. I used one of the trim removal tools that looks like a "U"


Each actuator has 3 Torx screw. I loosened them most of the way using a ratchet, then used a magnetic pickup tool to completely loosen them because there's not enough room to fit your hand in there. Needless to say, be careful and don't drop the bolts.

It might look like there's no way you'll be able to lift the actuator out of there, but it's definitely possible. First at the back of the harness box, move it straight up and off the stud (remember, we took the 10MM nuts off), then do the same with the front. Lift the actuator up while pushing the front of the harness box as far to the side as possible. With a little bit of maneuvering, it should come out.

Then everything is just in reverse. Put the new throttle actuator in the same way, drop the harness box back to where it should be. Make sure you reconnect EVERY connector.

I initially thought you had to take the car to the dealership to get the actuators reset, but I just cleared my SES light with my BT tool. So far so good.

This is what the inside of the throttle actuator looks like if you are curious.


You can see damage to the plastic gear:


Feedback on how I did with this DIY is welcomed. This is my first write-up and first time I've done a job with essentially no guide to follow. If you see anything that could be done better, let me know.

Good luck!

You sir are a gentleman and a scholar

[jpan08]

Mine just went at 66k. Are they designed to go around 60k? Geez.

[Abdul@mpowermotorsports]

Originally Posted by jpan08

Mine just went at 66k. Are they designed to go around 60k? Geez.

I've sold units to customers who had as low as 25k miles on their units. That's just ridiculous.

40k-60k miles is the average lifespan on these flawed OEM units.

Regards.

[jhanksevo]

I know where I'm coming when that time comes

[W///]

Originally Posted by jpan08

You sir are a gentleman and a scholar

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!

[Yvette]

I just changed both TA, and still in limp mode with CEL on.
I drove to Gas station and to see if they will go away but still here. I cleared all the codes, but still CEL up.

Do you think they will go away after awhile? do they need time to adapt to new TA?

Edit: unplugged battery and put back on and still same
Still cel/dsc and limp mode on