e46 320d Cruise control issues in 5th gear

[rudolphc83]

Hi Guys

I have search all over the internet and there are a lot of mentions of this problem but no apparent solutions, just a lot of speculation. My 2003 E46 320D cruise control is working in all gears except 5th gear. I have tested in all gears (even 1st just for testing sake), and it engages perfectly, but in 5th gear it only engages for a split second and drops again. The green CC led on the dash stays on and if i continuously press the + button it keeps engaging, but drops instantly again. Does anyone have an idea of what may be causing this?

Thanks in advance :=):

 

[rudolphc83]

Anyone ever come across this?

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[Solo Man]

Just a thought. Are all the tires the same type and size on all four wheels? Or at least on the same axle? Not sure why it should not work only in fifth but if the tires are not the same type and size (and even tread life) it could possibly have some thing to do with your problem. Just my 2c's

 

[FerdiBotha]

My E46 320d had the same issue and I could never get it sorted out.mgwaiting:

Good luck with that.

 

[MikeR]

:fencelook: if it works in all the other gears then you need to look the gearbox and any sensors related to it.

 

[Tinuva]

Hi Guys

I have search all over the internet and there are a lot of mentions of this problem but no apparent solutions, just a lot of speculation. My 2003 E46 320D cruise control is working in all gears except 5th gear. I have tested in all gears (even 1st just for testing sake), and it engages perfectly, but in 5th gear it only engages for a split second and drops again. The green CC led on the dash stays on and if i continuously press the + button it keeps engaging, but drops instantly again. Does anyone have an idea of what may be causing this?

Thanks in advance :=):

Manual or Auto? There are slight differences between the two. I suspect you have a manual gearbox, so will guess around that.

Manual cruise control looks at the following 3 items:
1. mass airflow sensor reading
2. stop pedal switch (if your break lights work fine, and dont go on while cruising this is not the issue)
3. clutch pedal switch

#2 and #3 is meant to disengage cruise control for obvious reasons.

You may have to double check #1.

So those are the obvious 3 things to look at, when cruise control dont work at all. I would say, get a laptop with INPA installed, have it connected and a 2nd person driving or using the laptop to see the readings while driving. The thing is, if the mass airflow meter was doing strange readings when in 5th gear, you should be seeing other inefficiencies with fuel consumption ect.

 

[rudolphc83]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Solo Man, never thought of that. I got the car with these tyres, front Bridgestone 205/55/16 and rear Goodyear 205/60/16. Would this cause any issues?

MikeR, does the gearbox have any sensors that would distinguish between gears?

Tinuva, interesting bit of info. I have already replace the two switches so we can rule that out. Before replacing them my CC didn't work at all. It is indeed the 5 spd manual. I am getting my INPA cable later in July, will have a look at the MAF sensor. If this is the case, any suggestions where i can get one for a decent price? The stealers are crazy on pricing. Also, could the stearing angle sensor cause any issues? I know that it's messing around with my DSC at the moment.

Thx again

Sent from my LG-M250 using Tapatalk

 

[MikeR]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Solo Man, never thought of that. I got the car with these tyres, front Bridgestone 205/55/16 and rear Goodyear 205/60/16. Would this cause any issues?

MikeR, does the gearbox have any sensors that would distinguish between gears?

Tinuva, interesting bit of info. I have already replace the two switches so we can rule that out. Before replacing them my CC didn't work at all. It is indeed the 5 spd manual. I am getting my INPA cable later in July, will have a look at the MAF sensor. If this is the case, any suggestions where i can get one for a decent price? The stealers are crazy on pricing. Also, could the stearing angle sensor cause any issues? I know that it's messing around with my DSC at the moment.

Thx again

Sent from my LG-M250 using Tapatalk

There has to be because as soon as you change gear it also supposed to kick out of Control function.
If it was tires then it would happen in every gear due to rolling differences.
If it was MAF it would probably also do it on all gears.
You clearly state its just in the one gear (5th) therefore it has to be related to that.
Failing all that - a Cruise control stalk could also be intermittent with issues, if you have someone with the same car try swap out the whole Ring - its very easy. - process of elimination.

Another Question before you go try these - you havent mentioned what speed!! if its a certain speed there might be something else that is sensing the loss of traction and kicking in/out I dont know if the Cruise control on your car gets effected by that ( I doubt it But must ask )

 

[Tinuva]

There has to be because as soon as you change gear it also supposed to kick out of Control function.
If it was tires then it would happen in every gear due to rolling differences.
If it was MAF it would probably also do it on all gears.
You clearly state its just in the one gear (5th) therefore it has to be related to that.
Failing all that - a Cruise control stalk could also be intermittent with issues, if you have someone with the same car try swap out the whole Ring - its very easy. - process of elimination.

Another Question before you go try these - you havent mentioned what speed!! if its a certain speed there might be something else that is sensing the loss of traction and kicking in/out I dont know if the Cruise control on your car gets effected by that ( I doubt it But must ask )

Thats the clutch switch, which disengages the cruise control speed lock.

If he finds a sensor on the manual gearbox, I will be surprised
(except for the reverse gear sensor ofc)

 

[rudolphc83]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Solo Man, never thought of that. I got the car with these tyres, front Bridgestone 205/55/16 and rear Goodyear 205/60/16. Would this cause any issues?

MikeR, does the gearbox have any sensors that would distinguish between gears?

Tinuva, interesting bit of info. I have already replace the two switches so we can rule that out. Before replacing them my CC didn't work at all. It is indeed the 5 spd manual. I am getting my INPA cable later in July, will have a look at the MAF sensor. If this is the case, any suggestions where i can get one for a decent price? The stealers are crazy on pricing. Also, could the stearing angle sensor cause any issues? I know that it's messing around with my DSC at the moment.

Thx again

Sent from my LG-M250 using Tapatalk

There has to be because as soon as you change gear it also supposed to kick out of Control function.
If it was tires then it would happen in every gear due to rolling differences.
If it was MAF it would probably also do it on all gears.
You clearly state its just in the one gear (5th) therefore it has to be related to that.
Failing all that - a Cruise control stalk could also be intermittent with issues, if you have someone with the same car try swap out the whole Ring - its very easy. - process of elimination.

Another Question before you go try these - you havent mentioned what speed!! if its a certain speed there might be something else that is sensing the loss of traction and kicking in/out I dont know if the Cruise control on your car gets effected by that ( I doubt it But must ask )

The problem seems to be at any speed in 5th gear, and the CC works fine at any speed in the other gears.

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[Ebo]

Different car altogether but had the same issue on my Jetta MK4 1.8t. Replaced the MAF and problem was solved (not sure if it ever worked in other gears as I only ever engaged it 5th). Bit of an expensive exercise so I suggest you have the car scanned for any errors.

 

[Jonathan1078]

Did you ever get to the bottom of this?

 

[rudolphc83]

Hi Jonathan

I have already done everything except my MAF, and the problem is persisting. I am waiting for a Pierburg MAF that I have ordered online, will update as soon as I replace that. It is the only thing left to change. I will keep you updated.

 

[Jonathan1078]

Hi Jonathan

I have already done everything except my MAF, and the problem is persisting. I am waiting for a Pierburg MAF that I have ordered online, will update as soon as I replace that. It is the only thing left to change. I will keep you updated.

I read online that it could be that the GR2 (cruise control unit) is not correctly coded to the ECU. This is likely if the ECU has been replaced at some point.
My 320td compact has the same problem. I have no service history so no idea if the ECU has ever been replaced. However, speaking to an ex BMW mechanic today it does seem that this is likely.
Keep us posted on any results.

 

[Blue Shirt]

Also, could the stearing angle sensor cause any issues? I know that it's messing around with my DSC at the moment.

Thx again

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That's your problem right there. Cruise control will not engage if the steering angle sensor throws an error.

Do you have the DSC and brake error lights showing on the cluster?

 

[rudolphc83]

Yes i do. But strangly the cc is working fine in the other gears. Just messing around in 5th

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[Blue Shirt]

Fix the steering angle sensor error first, you're wasting your time searching for anything else. There is nothing wrong with the cruise control.