feels like driving with the "choke" out

Si said:
Had a similar problem on restart on my 2.2. Changed hoses as they were split so it was worth doing anyway! Didn't fix the problem though but Cam sensor did. When my local BMW independent specialist read the codes it pointed to the Cam Sensor. Good luck (great colour by the way). Si
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Hi Si, I changed the inlet cam sensor and actually it seems to have been ok today. Think I might have two problems. I used my new diagnostics this morning and the error log showed 108 instances of inlet cam sensor error! I reset the error log before going out today and no new errors on my return and the car behaved properly! - the diagnostic software is fantastic by the way, thoroughly recommend it to anyone. (Thanks Brian)
 
t-tony said:
Hi Nige, where did you source your cam sensor if you don't mind me asking and what did it cost? The reason I ask is I got one from Euro Car Parts and fitted it and it was crap, it failed almost imeadiately (like yours ?) and I had to order another one stressing O.E.M. quality. After fitting this second sensor I've had NO problems at all.

Tony.
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Hi Tony. I got it from Euro car parts - actually it seems fine - think I have two issues going on. The cam sensor was definitely faulty, 108 errors in the error log and none since I fitted the new one. Think my pre-cat lambda sensor is intermittent too which is causing the starting problem and the cam sensor was causing the "choke out" feeling - early days, it could all go pants again tomorrow!:nailbiting:
 
jonco said:
Agree with @t-tony on OEM sensors - there are many similar stories on forums.
When you read the codes there may well be loads of historical ones recorded which will confuse the issue. Would advise you make a note of them, then clear them and run the car and see what re-appears.
The codes do not always pinpoint the fault but indicate which area you should be looking at.
Good Luck
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Thanks, that is exactly what I did and so far so good. I took the laptop out with me today and checked everything before restarting the engine every time we stopped - the bcables software is fantastic although I haven't worked out what it all means yet!:bookworm:
 
NigeB said:
Thanks, that is exactly what I did and so far so good. I took the laptop out with me today and checked everything before restarting the engine every time we stopped - the bcables software is fantastic although I haven't worked out what it all means yet!:bookworm:
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Good News - any chance of posting a screen print of the error log as I would like to compare it with the BM Technics one I have.
 
jonco said:
Good News - any chance of posting a screen print of the error log as I would like to compare it with the BM Technics one I have.
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I have cleared it now but can try and get a screen grab of what is there now.
 
Hi @jonco the screen shot will be the same as the software is the same. The only difference is the cable supplier.

@NigeB sometime because the cam sensor is out the ECU overfuels and this throws fault on the lambda sensor so you may only have the one fault. keep an eye on it for a few days and hopefully it won't come back. with that many fault logs the ECU has probably gone to basic settings and now you have cleared it it will be ok.

Have fun playing:)
 
Brian4 said:
Hi @jonco the screen shot will be the same as the software is the same. The only difference is the cable supplier.

@NigeB sometime because the cam sensor is out the ECU overfuels and this throws fault on the lambda sensor so you may only have the one fault. keep an eye on it for a few days and hopefully it won't come back. with that many fault logs the ECU has probably gone to basic settings and now you have cleared it it will be ok.

Have fun playing:)
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Thanks Brian, it certainly seems ok at the minute - have you looked at the screen that shows the cylinder numbers "rough" with the graphs from zero in the middle to -1 and +1? Mine is showing 4 of the 6 cylinders at zero and two at varying positive values. Is this indicating an injector fault? I have spent ages looking at all the modules, didn't even know I had an exhaust flap until I tested it!:confused:
 
NigeB said:
Hi Tony. I got it from Euro car parts - actually it seems fine - think I have two issues going on. The cam sensor was definitely faulty, 108 errors in the error log and none since I fitted the new one. Think my pre-cat lambda sensor is intermittent too which is causing the starting problem and the cam sensor was causing the "choke out" feeling - early days, it could all go pants again tomorrow!:nailbiting:
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sorry Tony, it was £21.19 - ebay
 
NigeB said:
sorry Tony, it was £21.19 - ebay
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No worries Nige, that's what I paid for the first one, which didn't last ( I hope yours will though) I ended up getting a replacement from Euro's which was about £35! at no extra cost because we spend quite a lot with them at work.
Let's hope that code doesn't come back.:thumbsup:

Tony.
 
Hi @NigeB as long as the values are in green all ok. I think I read some where if the values get to +4 it indicates a faulty injector as the ECU is making it open for much longer than designed.
 
Brian4 said:
Hi @NigeB as long as the values are in green all ok. I think I read some where if the values get to +4 it indicates a faulty injector as the ECU is making it open for much longer than designed.
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brilliant, thanks Brian.
 
Brian4 said:
Hi @jonco the screen shot will be the same as the software is the same. The only difference is the cable supplier......
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Thanks @Brian4 - my misunderstanding. I thought they could play about with the raw data presentation. On my BM Technics package the error codes are in German. They provided a link, on request, that would translate but I vaguely recall it had a warning that it may affect formatting.
 
jonco said:
Thanks @Brian4 - my misunderstanding. I thought they could play about with the raw data presentation. On my BM Technics package the error codes are in German. They provided a link, on request, that would translate but I vaguely recall it had a warning that it may affect formatting.
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Interesting! my error codes came up in english (mostly). I will plug in again later today and have another look. Got to take the dog to the vets now!:nurse:
 
jonco said:
Good News - any chance of posting a screen print of the error log as I would like to compare it with the BM Technics one I have.
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screen print of an empty error log, but it is in english!
 

Attachments

When you start the car from cold the ECU uses a generic map set and does not use the sensors until the Lamda has reached operating temperature at which point the ECU switches to sensors and adjusts the map according to the sensor readings to ensure optimum running. This is why you don't see a problem on start up. When you restart the engine is at temp and it is then using the sensors, ifs be if them is not reporting correctly, then the ECU alters the map as best it can, but reports out of tolerance messages (engine codes). On the Z3 the cam sensor is responsible for engine timing, normally on a car with a timing belt a cam sensor error can mean a stretched cam belt, on the Z3 it is a timing chain, and they very rarely stretch, so if you get a cam sensor error, and you cannot clear it will be the cam sensor.
 
NigeB said:
screen print of an empty error log, but it is in english!
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Thanks - I didn't make it clear before but it is only the actual code description that comes through in German. Layout is the same as Brian4 has pointed out.
I have since have checked my previous communications with BM Technics and apparently German was the default for the disk load - they did warn that the conversion to English may result in some modules not working. As they are no longer in business it's all academic.
 
Hi folks, just thought you would like to know that replacing the inlet cam sensor has solved all my problems - it took a couple of trips for it settle down and the ecu to readjust but its great now. Not sure it has been quite right since I bought it! Thanks to you all for your help and advice, it really is a great forum populated by great people!:thumbsup::)
 
After replacing mine Nige,I also suspected the same as you. It really is like totally different car since. Happy to hear you've got to the bottom of it, now drive and enjoy, I do.:D

Tony.
 
t-tony said:
After replacing mine Nige,I also suspected the same as you. It really is like totally different car since. Happy to hear you've got to the bottom of it, now drive and enjoy, I do.:D

Tony.
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Thanks Tony - typically, I spoke too soon - went out yesterday and it did it again! Checked the error log to find an inlet cam sensor error! :rage::banghead: I have contacted euro car parts asking for a better quality one.....:( however still superb when its working well.
 
NigeB said:
Thanks Tony - typically, I spoke too soon - went out yesterday and it did it again! Checked the error log to find an inlet cam sensor error! :rage::banghead: I have contacted euro car parts asking for a better quality one.....:( however still superb when its working well.
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That's just the same as happened to me too Nige. Once I had the O.E.M.one it was like a new car.

Tony.
 
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