2004 BMW E46 318i ECU Issues

evnmopwr

Well-known member
Just Won this 2004 318i E46, with the N46 engine in it, on Auction yesterday.
build date is 11/2004 but pretty base model
Its a clean vehicle With some rust on the front left an right pillars

The car:
IMG_20211210_171039 (1).jpgIMG_20211210_171027 (1).jpg

When i collected the car, Noticed few issues.

1. There was no brakes (very very very little)
2. the Rev Counter did not work
3. at Cold start, the Temp Gauge would Max out in the Red (no overheating light at all)
4. Battery light is on, Abs, traction, Brake ware lights are all on.( Christmas tree )

I managed to drive it home but the Brakes Locked up on me.
Pulled Fuse 61 in fuse box and the Brakes freed up and Drove home without brakes binding

Scanned the car with PA Soft when i got home and Weird errors i have never encountered before

DME is the strangest:
IMG_20211209_183823.jpg

Here is the rest:

IMG_20211209_173559.jpgIMG_20211209_173821.jpgIMG_20211209_173855.jpgIMG_20211209_173722.jpgIMG_20211209_173651.jpg

I have done the cluster test = PASSED
Removed/Checked the 3 fuses for Cluster = Not Blown
Battery is from my touring = All Good
Tested Alternator V using Cluster = Steady and strong 14.1v

My Suspicions for faulty parts are:
1. ABS Module
2. ECU since PA Soft ONLY shows the VIN and kms on the Vehichle Identification screen before the scanning
- and because of the weird Errors

So i pulled the ECU from the car and This is what i found :| :

Cars vin:
IMG_20211210_165305.jpg

ECU's Vin:

View attachment 8862

So im thinking its a "FLASH" issue or Its not flashed at all?
Strange how the car starts up and runs fine other than the cluster losing its mind and ABS not working
Could this ECU issue be the reason the ABS is not working too??

While i have all the parts to repair this car in storage including DSC Abs modules, Brake Cylinders, Boosters etc etc
I do not have a 318i Lockset to swop this out on. (i hope i dont go ad buy another car for this. LMAO!)

Any suggestions on who can flash this ECU with a 318i Map on this ECU i have??

Any help or suggestions would be great
Or anyone who has seen this strange issues before, I would love to know how you fixed

Car is Pretty decent so do not want to part it out just yet

Thanks in advance
 

evnmopwr

Well-known member
FYI, For anyone else who has the Same issue as above, I managed to fix the following issues:

1. Maxed out Temp Gauge
2. No Tach
3. Gearbox in LIMP mode
4. All the Lights on DASH ( as per Above )

Installed a new lockset on the car.
Cleared on the Codes and it started without the issues above

I was hoping it fixed the ABS issue too but looks like i will need to Install a new ABS module.
Just glad the rest is sorted

BEFORE ( Yes the car was idling when this photo was taken ):
IMG-20211218-WA0011.jpeg

AFTER:
IMG_20220110_091750 (1).jpg
 
Last edited:

evnmopwr

Well-known member
Love how you say you '' Won'' this car :ROFLMAO:

you're a brave man for buying so many issues.
If you know what i got it for, Was truly a "WIN"

I have most of the Parts to Fix it.
The lockset was the Only item i dont have for this car so i had to buy that

Worst case was, the lockset was not going to fix the Issues. In that case, it would have been for parts. LMAO!

Selling the Engine Alone would Cover the cost i paid for the vehicle and the lockset. The rest is all profit. :)
 

Omarh

New member
FYI, For anyone else who has the Same issue as above, I managed to fix the following issues:

1. Maxed out Temp Gauge
2. No Tach
3. Gearbox in LIMP mode
4. All the Lights on DASH ( as per Above )

Installed a new lockset on the car.
Cleared on the Codes and it started without the issues above

I was hoping it fixed the ABS issue too but looks like i will need to Install a new ABS module.
Just glad the rest is sorted

BEFORE ( Yes the car was idling when this photo was taken ):
View attachment 9352

AFTER:
View attachment 9351
Hi sir,how can I get hold of you,I have the same problem.What I don’t understand the lock set part as I’m a novice when it comes to bmw.
I have a 2003 touring I want to sell but this situation is not in my favour.
 

Solo Man

Well-known member
I do not have his number any more. Give him a private message, he should answer quickly as he is on the forum often.
 

evnmopwr

Well-known member
Hi sir,how can I get hold of you,I have the same problem.What I don’t understand the lock set part as I’m a novice when it comes to bmw.
I have a 2003 touring I want to sell but this situation is not in my favour.
Hi

by lockset im refering to the following items

* ECU
* EWS
* Key with its Chip board

image for reference. I bought these items from an Identical E46 318i with the N46 Engine in. Rest is plug and Play
ECU.JPG
 

Omarh

New member
Very likely it was me. Went in to office yesterday. :)
Thanks a million for your swift reply. Highly appreciate your time and effort to share your knowledge. If this is the case then I'm going to sell the car.Could it be that i need to re synch or calibrate the ews,ecu and key. It all happen after i fixed my hatch glass window opener. Could it also be my battery.
 

evnmopwr

Well-known member
Thanks a million for your swift reply. Highly appreciate your time and effort to share your knowledge. If this is the case then I'm going to sell the car.Could it be that i need to re synch or calibrate the ews,ecu and key. It all happen after i fixed my hatch glass window opener. Could it also be my battery.
I have seen dead battery cause things on cluster to go wonky yes.
So yes, test the battery first to confirm
Also do a CLuster test first to make sure all the lights etc function

If the above is all ok, then leaning to it being same issue as mine
A lockset second hand generally sets you back around r4500.
 

Omarh

New member
I have seen dead battery cause things on cluster to go wonky yes.
So yes, test the battery first to confirm
Also do a CLuster test first to make sure all the lights etc function

If the above is all ok, then leaning to it being same issue as mine
A lockset second hand generally sets you back around r4500.
Greetings Envmopwr, since our last encounter on 10 Feb 23,i had no luck to sort out my issue.
Any chance i can contact you by phone for a more personal engagement.
Not sure if one is allowed to exchange contact details or emails on this thread.
Please let me know, will appreciate your feedback.
Omar
 
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