E46 325i Tech Help

[Neven]

Evening guys

Need some advice on the above vehicle.
It's an auto and sometimes feels like the input from the accelerator doesnot reach the engine. Difficult to explain but it's like an intermittent response loss between pedal and engine.

When it happens, the car doesn't accelerate.

Any insight into what this may.

Car is a 2001 model.

Thanks

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Well, mine is a manual, so sorry mate, cant help. :thumb:
good luck

 

[Sankekur]

Does the gearbox have any other problems like trouble shifting through gears?

You might also want to have the codes read, just to rule out any sensor problems with the engine, also if it is a gearbox problem try and get is sorted as quickly as possible, as auto problems won't get better by itself.

 

[moranor@axis]

ive seen others talk alot about putting new software on... but ive never really paid much attention because my software are left hand my feet

im sure some one who has an auto will be able help

 

[Neven]

@ San

It does hold 4th gear a bit longer than normal. Maybe it is box related. Need to sort this out asap.

Thanks boet.

 

[Sankekur]

A lot of guys mentioned starlight gearboxes (something like that), heard only good things of them.

The reason I am asking about whether is is definitely a gearbox problem as a car that hesitates to accelerate can also be caused by a faulty mass airflow sensor, if this is the case the car will hesitate to accelerate when you mash down the accelerator, but if ease down on the accelerator is accelerate fine. Quickest and easiest way to check this is to let the car idle, then disconnect the mass airflow sensor, if it idles the same then there is something wrong with the sensor, if it idles worse then the sensor is fine. But the best is to have the codes read, this will shed light on possible problems.

 

[Neven]

Will try that San.
Actually. Let me try now.

Regarding the codes - can this only be read by a BMW dealer?

Thanks for the help bud.

Brb.

---

Boet.

Just checked. No change in idle. Just a slight blip when removed but after that split second , exactly the same idle.

Could also be the reason why the idle sometimes drops down to 500 rpm.

Cam these things be fixed?

 

[Sankekur]

Nah there are a bunch of independent dealers that can also read the codes.

 

[Neven]

So you say read codes before any fixes on the MAS?
I heard cleaning it helps?

 

[Sankekur]

Yes it would probably be better to have the codes read, just to rule out any other problems.

 

[Neven]

Sweet. Will do.
The test does confirm a faulty MAS though?
Called BMW. R5700!!!!!

Thanks dude

 

[Sankekur]

You can also try diesel electric, if I am not mistaken they are considerably cheaper.

 

[Lev]

The reason I am asking about whether is is definitely a gearbox problem as a car that hesitates to accelerate can also be caused by a faulty mass airflow sensor, if this is the case the car will hesitate to accelerate when you mash down the accelerator, but if ease down on the accelerator is accelerate fine. Quickest and easiest way to check this is to let the car idle, then disconnect the mass airflow sensor, if it idles the same then there is something wrong with the sensor, if it idles worse then the sensor is fine. But the best is to have the codes read, this will shed light on possible problems.

I tend to agree with you on certain aspects wrt the MAS, and seeing that you have an E46, but I would like to mention, that we have ad E46 325i auto and during our search to find a solution to our fueling issue, we did disconnect the MAS, the car idled fine. Also our MAS is ok because diagnostic found no fault.

But this does sound like an air related issue. Does the car hesitate when you accelerate hard? There might be a vacuum leak.

 

[Neven]

Will check codes first before buying any parts. Disconnected the MAS and drove the car last night - significant difference!

Shes going in to the Mac today. Hope it's nothing major.

Cheers gents.

 

[Sankekur]

The reason I am asking about whether is is definitely a gearbox problem as a car that hesitates to accelerate can also be caused by a faulty mass airflow sensor, if this is the case the car will hesitate to accelerate when you mash down the accelerator, but if ease down on the accelerator is accelerate fine. Quickest and easiest way to check this is to let the car idle, then disconnect the mass airflow sensor, if it idles the same then there is something wrong with the sensor, if it idles worse then the sensor is fine. But the best is to have the codes read, this will shed light on possible problems.

I tend to agree with you on certain aspects wrt the MAS, and seeing that you have an E46, but I would like to mention, that we have ad E46 325i auto and during our search to find a solution to our fueling issue, we did disconnect the MAS, the car idled fine. Also our MAS is ok because diagnostic found no fault.

But this does sound like an air related issue. Does the car hesitate when you accelerate hard? There might be a vacuum leak.

Of course, I am just mentioning it as there are some similarities between his symptoms and those of a faulty air flow sensorI just think it would be better to just check if the problem might be caused by some thing that is not that expensive and easy to replace. Rather than going directly to the gearbox (which is pretty expensive to have work done one) and if turns out not to be the problem you've wasted your money (not entirely true).
It could also be a vacuum leak, but wouldn't the idle be very rough if this is the case. But of course this is also something that has to be checked out.

Will check codes first before buying any parts. Disconnected the MAS and drove the car last night - significant difference!

Shes going in to the Mac today. Hope it's nothing major.

Cheers gents.

I hope it is just the airflow sensor, hope you get everything sorted, quickly and of course cheaply

 

[frikkieh]

Will try that San.
Actually. Let me try now.

Regarding the codes - can this only be read by a BMW dealer?

Thanks for the help bud.

Brb.

---

Boet.

Just checked. No change in idle. Just a slight blip when removed but after that split second , exactly the same idle.

Could also be the reason why the idle sometimes drops down to 500 rpm.

Cam these things be fixed?

---

I imported this for around R750 and it works well for reading codes. I see one for sale.

http://www.scantool.net/

I have seen some Tjonkie readers locally and is a stand alone unit - no need for a laptop:
http://cartools.co.za/cartools.pdf

 

[netercol]

a bit off subject, but on the topic of code reader, can anyone please explain to me why peeps bother with all these fancy and expensive code readers, when a INPA setup will cost you next to nothing and can do far more that any third party code reader? not meaning to rain on anybody's parade, but maybe a bit of spreading the word is in order here.. :dunno:

 

[frikkieh]

a bit off subject, but on the topic of code reader, can anyone please explain to me why peeps bother with all these fancy and expensive code readers, when a INPA setup will cost you next to nothing and can do far more that any third party code reader? not meaning to rain on anybody's parade, but maybe a bit of spreading the word is in order here.. :dunno:

OK got the SW and the plug for 750 never heard of INPA before. Got some reading to do. This is best what I could find to use at the time.

 

[Neven]

@ San - thanks bud.

@ above gents- I'm also curious to learn more about a cheap code reader. Was actually thinking I should get one before actually reading the thread as I will be specializing in the " almost new" restoration of slightly used vehicles.

This e46 is one of them but she has to be 100% perfect and as close to original as possible before I sell her.

Really passionate about restoring Beemers to mint condition for the next owner to enjoy.

Will check the link out re cable but please update with more info if possible.

 

[frikkieh]

@ San - thanks bud.

@ above gents- I'm also curious to learn more about a cheap code reader. Was actually thinking I should get one before actually reading the thread as I will be specializing in the " almost new" restoration of slightly used vehicles.

This e46 is one of them but she has to be 100% perfect and as close to original as possible before I sell her.

Really passionate about restoring Beemers to mint condition for the next owner to enjoy.

Will check the link out re cable but please update with more info if possible.

I found the scantool cable handy to read codes and other data's. Can't reset the airbag light though.
Looks like Netercol has the better tool for cheap cheap, and there are many references on the net.
Netercol - where can we get this marvelous tool. There are loads of references on eBay for EBIABAS / INPA tools. Will any one do? Can we source locally?
OBDII analysis is always first stage diagnosis (if nothing is leaking )