Please can I have your help?

[ktnez99]

My Z3 has been off the road for a while now while it has patiently waited in a queue for work to be done. It’s now with the business that is doing the work but to my dismay, my car has struggled to start.

I’ve been turning the engine on and running it for 20-30 minutes every 3-4 weeks but went and forgot to perform this ritual at Christmas so when I tried to start my car about mid-January, the engine would start for about 5 seconds and stop.

I’ve been over to the business today with a Foxwell NT530 scanner and my first question is: where do you get an explanation for the codes from?

One of the guys took the connecting lead off the air mass sensor (MAF sensor) and the engine is now running. I’m assuming my Z needs a new MAF sensor but can anyone shed any light on this, please? Has any member had this happen to their Z and if so, was it the MAF sensor?

 

[NZ00Z3]

where do you get an explanation for the codes from?

Depends what type of codes you are getting. For PXXXX codes you can google them. If they are just number codes then you need a lookup page. See below. You'll need to know if they are hexadecimal (numbers and letters) or decimal codes. You might have to convert them to decimal.

BMW Complete Diagnostic Fault Code List [E36, E46, E90 and more] - REALITYPOD

If you are reading codes from specific BMW modules, you may find you get a code. Most of BMW diagnostic softwares like DIS, INPA, EDIABAS, IBUS, CANBUS, CARSOFT, give an error code but no or limited explanation. If you don’t recognize the codes, this list will help you. The code reader or...

realitypod.com

I've had one case where disconnecting the MAF fixed the no start problem. Just plugged it back in and carried on driving the car.

Unplugging the MAF makes the engine DME run on internal air fuel tables. These are richer than normal. The unplugging the MAF test gives two results:
- The MAF is faulty
- There are vacuum leaks and the rich mixture is masking the leaks.

It's normally the second one. Check for vacuum leaks.

 

[ktnez99]

Thanks, @NZ00Z3 … I’ll look at the codes and try to work this out*

*putting thinking cap on

Vacuum leaks? Is a smoke test needed?

 

[NZ00Z3]

A smoke test is the best way of finding vacuum leaks.

 

[ktnez99]

Do I need to plug the code reader into a computer to view the pages like those in the link? PC or Mac if the answer is yes?

 

[NZ00Z3]

With the Foxwell NT530 use the EOBD section to talk to the engine DME. EOBD is good/easier for general engine diagnostics than the BMW section.

Record the P codes that it gives you and google the P codes (BMW PXXXX)

 

[ktnez99]

With the Foxwell NT530 use the EOBD section to talk to the engine DME. EOBD is good/easier for general engine diagnostics than the BMW section.

Record the P codes that it gives you and google the P codes (BMW PXXXX)

That’s sounds good. Tbh, I thought it was quite difficult to find out what the issue was/is.