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Diagnostic equipment does not just read fault codes!
BMW E90 Diesel - Running on 3 Cyclinders
- Thread starter Br4d
- Start date
Diagnostic equipment does not just read fault codes!
[TW]Fox;22766686 said:
It was done by the AA, There machine can do basic diagnostics and read fault codes and none were shown.
We pulled off the MAF and a fault was on there for the MAF so we cleared that. so it defo can read codes but 100% none are on there.
Associate
You are a lost cause, there is more to diagnostics than reading the codes it is not a magic problem solver the diagnostics give you data with needs to be interpreted by someone who knows how to relate the data.
A cheap or generic reader (as the AA have used) will give basic information only, the manufacturer specific diagnostic equipment will go into a lot more depth. Get it to BMW or a reputable specialist who isn't a moron.
A cheap or generic reader (as the AA have used) will give basic information only, the manufacturer specific diagnostic equipment will go into a lot more depth. Get it to BMW or a reputable specialist who isn't a moron.
thats the key. get way more info from the manufacturer diag computer
I'll put it into a BMW Specialist ASAP then, Thought any machine would be able to read all the faults, but ill get a BMW Specialist to diagnose it, Cheers.
Don
Any code reader can read the fault codes if something is far enough out of spec to throw a code, but only a proper mechanic with knowledge and the right equipment can examine the realtime data coming from the engine and interpret it. Things like fuel trim, maf air load, ignition advance etc will point a guy with experience in the right direction. There are tons of sensors on the engine that will tell you what's what but it may not be far enough out to actually throw a proper code.
Example, my Jag was running rough recently. I pulled the codes but there were no fault codes. I looked at the fuel trim and saw that it was way too lean for Cyls 5, 6, 7 and 8. This pointed to an air leak post MAF. I had a check and sure enough, a small split in a vacuum line was causing it.
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Code readers can't possibly cover all types and makes of car, at least not accurately. If you want this cured, it's got to go to BMW or a BMW approved specialist with the correct equipment. Normally 3rd party readers always pull the can bus failure from BMW because they can't actually read the codes correctly.
Even if there are no codes, the right equipment (Which isn't what the AA have) can read values (not fault codes!) from many different parts of the cars systems, which a trained person can interpret to work out whats wrong.
Update:
Been into a BMW Specialist with all the correct equipment, he spent 5 hours diagnosing it and could not find anything wrong with it. He seems to think something's come adrift but he has no clue what is it.
So I'm completely confused. And have no idea what to do next?
Any advice?
Been into a BMW Specialist with all the correct equipment, he spent 5 hours diagnosing it and could not find anything wrong with it. He seems to think something's come adrift but he has no clue what is it.
So I'm completely confused. And have no idea what to do next?
Any advice?
Soldato
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- 10 Oct 2006
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Take it to a BMW dealer, they will find out what is wrong with it.
Take it to somebody who knows what they are doing not a garage who knows how to put a sign on the door saying 'BMW specialist'.
Is it vibrating significantly? Every 320d, mostly new or nearly new, that I have driven has a vibration at idle...
[TW]Fox;22786933 said:
He does know what his talking about and theres nothing electronically wrong with it hence no codes. He checked all the injectors and all the engine checks using the software and there defo nothing wrong with the actual running on the engine.
I know your trying to help but yes it is vibrating significantly. ive had the car for a while and its only just started doing it and since its done it it seems to Rev like its lumpy/Running rough. There is a lack of power. Sounds a lot louder / vibrates and the MPG is seriously reduced. There is 100% Something wrong with it but if something has mechanically broke the computer wont know so i guessing its something like the Rear Timing chain which are quite prone to Failure on the late 2007 onward E90 Engine (177Bhp Version)
Soldato
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Take it to a BMW dealer, they will find out what is wrong with it. The garage you took the car to haven't done anything more than plug a computer in, your car needs a proper diagnostic check.
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He's got the proper BMW Equipment, there is nothing electronically wrong (Hence a diagnostic kit CAN'T find any problems - all the data from the sensors are normal) so the only way to diagnose it is to suspect something and looking for that part and check that it's 'Mechanically' working which is expensive if you don't have any clue, so I want to narrow it done to more or less a specific part/area so that I can get that checked instead of just throwing money on looking at parts which dont even fit the symptoms.
Soldato
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BMW will have a check list to work through for the faults ruling out components etc, the dealer can also call on technical support from BMW who will have access to a database of faults found on similar cars to help diagnose the problem.
All you are doing at the moment is wasting money and not finding the fault. The five hours you paid the previous garage could have covered the cost of BMW finding what is actually wrong as they will likely find the fault quicker.
I'm not sure you're going to get any useful answers in here. The posters in this thread won't be happy until you drive the car back to Munich so that it can be personally diagnosed by Norbert Reithofer.
Have you tried any of the dedicated BMW forums?
I bet you feel really clever googling the CEO of BMW.