Mis fires and dealers diagnostic

[AddyDaddy]

All,

So brought my 2013 M5 with 42k to dealer after misfires and limp modes when reaching above 4500rpms. They said it needs re programming and there was a software error. They've had it since Tuesday and today is Saturday.
I questioned the SA, saying that it's strange my unit would go bad all the sudden and need re programming when we all know this yr car has fuel injector/pressure problems. Will a re programming really fix misfires that have just recently started to happen?

I just got the car end of December and really not trying to have it spend a lot of time at dealer. Anyone able to chime in and confirm that software can do this? Appreciate anything someone could add Incase I get the runaround

[technician117]

Originally Posted by AddyDaddy

All,

So brought my 2013 M5 with 42k to dealer after misfires and limp modes when reaching above 4500rpms. They said it needs re programming and there was a software error. They've had it since Tuesday and today is Saturday.
I questioned the SA, saying that it's strange my unit would go bad all the sudden and need re programming when we all know this yr car has fuel injector/pressure problems. Will a re programming really fix misfires that have just recently started to happen?

I just got the car end of December and really not trying to have it spend a lot of time at dealer. Anyone able to chime in and confirm that software can do this? Appreciate anything someone could add Incase I get the runaround

Without knowing what codes were set, it's anyone's guess. It could be as simple as a bad spark plug. Next on my list would be a bad coil.

Do you know any maintenance history?

[AddyDaddy]

Originally Posted by technician117

Without knowing what codes were set, it's anyone's guess. It could be as simple as a bad spark plug. Next on my list would be a bad coil.

Do you know any maintenance history?

Yes on history, all done at Braman bmw. It just started all the sudden with misfires
These are the codes I pulled with my bimmercode. Check full pick and you'll see misfires

[technician117]

Interesting. By history I also meant what work has been done during the 42k miles... how long ago were plugs or coils messed with or any work on the top of the engine... I wonder if a grounding bolt on the bracket that secures the DME's is missing or lose or if a connector on one of the DME's isn't seated properly.

[AddyDaddy]

Originally Posted by technician117

Interesting. By history I also meant what work has been done during the 42k miles... how long ago were plugs or coils messed with or any work on the top of the engine... I wonder if a grounding bolt on the bracket that secures the DME's is missing or lose or if a connector on one of the DME's isn't seated properly.

Nothing serious in service history
Plugs replaced 2 yrs ago at 20k miles, and just normal maintenance

[technician117]

Originally Posted by AddyDaddy

Nothing serious in service history
Plugs replaced 2 yrs ago at 20k miles, and just normal maintenance

Let us know what they come back with. Kind of strange. Those codes probably aren't caused by bad spark plugs, but with 20k miles on the current ones, I'd replace them anyway (and make sure they're gapped correctly). Might not fix the problem but it's good PM and at least rules out one reason for getting multiple misfires.

[AddyDaddy]

Originally Posted by technician117

Let us know what they come back with. Kind of strange. Those codes probably aren't caused by bad spark plugs, but with 20k miles on the current ones, I'd replace them anyway (and make sure they're gapped correctly). Might not fix the problem but it's good PM and at least rules out one reason for getting multiple misfires.

SA just said programming error.
I should find out today when I get the car back. I'll post up pic of repairs and will test it out to see if it is fixed. Fingers crossed

[KMORGSM5]

Originally Posted by AddyDaddy

SA just said programming error.
I should find out today when I get the car back. I'll post up pic of repairs and will test it out to see if it is fixed. Fingers crossed

Highly doubt it's programming. Do you know
If misfire is specific to one cylinder? Could be coils and plugs, HPFP or LPFP....

[AddyDaddy]

Originally Posted by KMORGSM5

Highly doubt it's programming. Do you know
If misfire is specific to one cylinder? Could be coils and plugs, HPFP or LPFP....

Yes cylinder 6. Look a few posts up, I posted my error codes I pulled with BimmerLink.
Picking car up now. No charge??? Said it was programming error and they checked coils, plugs etc.. Doesn't make sense to me either. But I said so if I end up limping home what do we do next lol? Give me an hour and I'll know if it was fixed

[AddyDaddy]

Originally Posted by AddyDaddy

Yes cylinder 6. Look a few posts up, I posted my error codes I pulled with BimmerLink.
Picking car up now. No charge??? Said it was programming error and they checked coils, plugs etc.. Doesn't make sense to me either. But I said so if I end up limping home what do we do next lol? Give me an hour and I'll know if it was fixed

Lol they didn't charge anything and this is Braman BMW, known to be expensive. Said they reprogrammed it and couldn't find anything wrong with spark plugs or anything else, said they couldn't even see the error codes I pulled and sent to him.
Anyway said thank you, gave the SA $50 tip and said if I get stuck on the side of 95 we'll be in bad shape.
So 10 min later on 95 it went into limp mode after I let it warm up and gave it some gas..
Had my sales guy walk over and call me from SA's desk. Said they could pick car up and I said no, that I'd drive it nicely back to dealer in morning and take a tech for a ride and show him and I'll re print the error codes to help them out.

[AddyDaddy]

So pulled codes,
It was cylinder 6 prior to bringing it in to dealer last Tuesday but today now it's cylinder 1 that's misfiring? What am I supposed to do? Why would cylinders change? I'm going to just take the tech for a drive. Just sucks to be without car for a week and bring it right back..

[apexlocator]

Its probably because your fuel pump is dying. I had the same issues, misfires jumping around different cylinders. I replied in your other thread. I changed new plugs and coils, did not resolve. It was my in-tank low pressure fuel pump and EKPS control unit. Once those were replaced, everything is right again. Your car is not getting enough fuel; whichever cylinder notices first will misfire.

[AddyDaddy]

Originally Posted by apexlocator

Its probably because your fuel pump is dying. I had the same issues, misfires jumping around different cylinders. I replied in your other thread. I changed new plugs and coils, did not resolve. It was my in-tank low pressure fuel pump and EKPS control unit. Once those were replaced, everything is right again. Your car is not getting enough fuel; whichever cylinder notices first will misfire.

Really? How do I get them to check those? I mean the tech initially said fuel pump, but they couldn't find any current codes being thrown, and if I go into the cars current errors by going into the secret menu the dct doesn't show any code unless it's in limp mode at the time. I printed the error codes history log to bring with me tomorrow.
Thanks for replying on other thread also

[AddyDaddy]

Originally Posted by apexlocator

Its probably because your fuel pump is dying. I had the same issues, misfires jumping around different cylinders. I replied in your other thread. I changed new plugs and coils, did not resolve. It was my in-tank low pressure fuel pump and EKPS control unit. Once those were replaced, everything is right again. Your car is not getting enough fuel; whichever cylinder notices first will misfire.

The one thing is I haven't gotten a fuel supply code, would that rule out the LPFP and EKPS?

[KMORGSM5]

Originally Posted by AddyDaddy

The one thing is I haven't gotten a fuel supply code, would that rule out the LPFP and EKPS?

Mine never threw codes for that, only saw in my log that LPFP wasn't running as psi and would go lean around 2,500 rpm. If your dealer can't figure it out I would suggest taking it to another dealer.

[AddyDaddy]

Originally Posted by KMORGSM5

Mine never threw codes for that, only saw in my log that LPFP wasn't running as psi and would go lean around 2,500 rpm. If your dealer can't figure it out I would suggest taking it to another dealer.

Yeah that's my next step, going to take the tech for a ride tomorrow morning and make them to see it's throwing codes. They ignored the codes I emailed to the SA last week. So printed them out and the tech will see for himself. Funny last Tuesday I brought it into dealer while in limp mode and they diagnosed it next day said no codes. Just frustrating not having the car for a week and issue is still there.

[apexlocator]

Originally Posted by AddyDaddy

Yeah that's my next step, going to take the tech for a ride tomorrow morning and make them to see it's throwing codes. They ignored the codes I emailed to the SA last week. So printed them out and the tech will see for himself. Funny last Tuesday I brought it into dealer while in limp mode and they diagnosed it next day said no codes. Just frustrating not having the car for a week and issue is still there.

I never threw codes for fuel pump either. that's why I thought it were plugs/coils.

got tired of chasing problem, so my dealer figured it out.

[AddyDaddy]

Well
I went back, printed out all error codes from BimmerLink, took SA for a ride, he video'd it and I wrote notes about LPFP and ekps control unit on my print outs. So we'll see what they can do this week. I just want my car ugh....

[AddyDaddy]

So after taking SA for a ride and a week later this is text I got, and this is Braman BMW



"The vehicle is going to need a spark plug and coil. I'm going to call the extended warranty and try to have them cover it"

[KMORGSM5]

Originally Posted by AddyDaddy

So after taking SA for a ride and a week later this is text I got, and this is Braman BMW



"The vehicle is going to need a spark plug and coil. I'm going to call the extended warranty and try to have them cover it"

If it's coils then it will be cylinder specific and can duplicate the misfire by moving the coils around in the same bank. Not a bad idea to replace them, but to me doesn't sound like it will resolve your issue.

Hope it works, if not I still think it's your fuel pumps / control unit for fuel pump.

[technician117]

Man, what a run around. Sorry to hear you're having so many troubles so early into ownership.

Unfortunately, the dealer mindset is to fix what they can see and go from there. They generally have to follow a SOP like that because if they don't, and they were wrong, they could be further up shits creek.

For example, you tell them hey I think it's the fuel pump, they replace and the error is still present, so then they go backward and replace a coil and plug and it's fixed, that tech is going to get in trouble for spending someones money improperly.

It's a little dumb, but they have to cover their ass.

If they can't get the plug/coil covered and you're on the hook, I'd ask them to first monitor fuel pressure and live data on a test drive while duplicating the problem. This may reveal the potentially weak fuel pump.

[AddyDaddy]

Originally Posted by technician117

Man, what a run around. Sorry to hear you're having so many troubles so early into ownership.

Unfortunately, the dealer mindset is to fix what they can see and go from there. They generally have to follow a SOP like that because if they don't, and they were wrong, they could be further up shits creek.

For example, you tell them hey I think it's the fuel pump, they replace and the error is still present, so then they go backward and replace a coil and plug and it's fixed, that tech is going to get in trouble for spending someones money improperly.

It's a little dumb, but they have to cover their ass.

If they can't get the plug/coil covered and you're on the hook, I'd ask them to first monitor fuel pressure and live data on a test drive while duplicating the problem. This may reveal the potentially weak fuel pump.

Thanks
I'll do that. $700 for coil and plug so I asked for price on doing other 7 plugs while they are in there. I'll know price tomorrow morning. Told the tech when they are done with it we will go for a ride and see if problem is gone. Warranty only covers the coil and my deductible is $500 so we'll see. I also asked him to not close out the bill until we confirm it's good to go, so if it still misfires I'll let the warranty help as they dig deeper. Tomorrow will tell. Hope it's good to go, I want to have my car back