X3 M40 ECU Issue (Drivetrain Malfunction)

ferrarii52 · 07-25-2023, 12:38 PM

On a recent trip last week in SC after dinner I started the car (2019 BMW X3 M40i with $37k miles) and it had many warning lights. Drivetrain malfunction, ABS malfunction, Parking break malfunction, many safety features deactivated. I tried restarting the car with no avail. No noises or vibrations. I drove it in limp mode with no electric steering and limited power. Took it to Myrtle Beach BMW (not impressed with this dealer) the next morning and they basically unplugged what they call the DCS (ECU computer) and reconnected it. After that it reset with no current issues. They quoted a new ECU to me for $21K under warranty (Looks like they are around $2k in the aftermarket). Just wanted to gage if anyone has had similar issues or if this maybe was a one off issue. I am very mechanically inclined and have never had an ECU fail on me on a single car I have owned. Also the battery was replaced early last year (I thought it might be related to low voltage but that is not the case). Debating to keep the car out warranty next year or not. Any help or knowledge is welcomed.

smaglik · 07-25-2023, 01:00 PM

Any battery voltage drop for a short period of time can cause that issue, and the microsoft reboot is the right approach. On an old car, you'd look square at the ground straps, but on a new one, it could be a loose connection at any one of a myriad of points. Are they going to replace your ECU under warranty?

On a related note, I swear I stumbled across something similar on this site, but can't recall if it was g01 or g80. If I find it, I'll link it.

smaglik · 07-25-2023, 01:01 PM

It was g01.

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2035361

ferrarii52 · 07-25-2023, 01:22 PM

I plan on having my dealer look at it when I take it in for service next month. Just not sure I am convinced there is an issue with the ECU. Its under CPO warranty for another year. Looks like the other thread is a OTA update issue.

jsh139 · 07-26-2023, 12:28 PM

$21,000 for a new ECU?! Or did you mean to type 2.1K. $2,100.

lfdal54 · 07-26-2023, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsh139

$21,000 for a new ECU?! Or did you mean to type 2.1K. $2,100.

I had the same thought 21k??????

GOTOFMS · 07-26-2023, 04:31 PM

21K? Are they replacing the entire drive-train as well?

glennbk · 07-27-2023, 01:55 AM

Sounds like they are using the "parts shotgun" approach. Throw a bunch of parts at it, maybe one will stick...

There are very few true mechanics out there. They either burned out and retired or they opened their own shop. Dealers are super greedy and squeeze every last dime out of warranty work.

ferrarii52 · 07-28-2023, 12:20 PM

Yes $20,975 was the value she showed me. I expected $3-5k dealer pricing not 20k. Especially since they are available for around 1k-2k on the internet. There was something a little shady it seemed at that dealer anyways (myrtle beach BMW). Ill see what my dealer says when I take it to them next month. I really think it is a ground issue its just a matter of finding it.

mattsheng · 07-28-2023, 01:05 PM

I mean the engine only costs $13,052 from this BMW dealer (https://parts.bmwnorthwest.com/p/720...002455302.html). Sure, changing the engine will take 263 FRU, which is about 26 hours. So labor + new engine probably equals the quote she gave you. What a shady dealer...

07-25-2023, 12:38 PM	#1
ferrarii52 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: '19 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	X3 M40 ECU Issue (Drivetrain Malfunction) On a recent trip last week in SC after dinner I started the car (2019 BMW X3 M40i with $37k miles) and it had many warning lights. Drivetrain malfunction, ABS malfunction, Parking break malfunction, many safety features deactivated. I tried restarting the car with no avail. No noises or vibrations. I drove it in limp mode with no electric steering and limited power. Took it to Myrtle Beach BMW (not impressed with this dealer) the next morning and they basically unplugged what they call the DCS (ECU computer) and reconnected it. After that it reset with no current issues. They quoted a new ECU to me for $21K under warranty (Looks like they are around $2k in the aftermarket). Just wanted to gage if anyone has had similar issues or if this maybe was a one off issue. I am very mechanically inclined and have never had an ECU fail on me on a single car I have owned. Also the battery was replaced early last year (I thought it might be related to low voltage but that is not the case). Debating to keep the car out warranty next year or not. Any help or knowledge is welcomed.
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07-25-2023, 01:00 PM	#2
smaglik First Lieutenant 529 Rep 360 Posts Drives: 2007 X3 MT Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Flagstaff, AZ iTrader: (0)	Any battery voltage drop for a short period of time can cause that issue, and the microsoft reboot is the right approach. On an old car, you'd look square at the ground straps, but on a new one, it could be a loose connection at any one of a myriad of points. Are they going to replace your ECU under warranty? On a related note, I swear I stumbled across something similar on this site, but can't recall if it was g01 or g80. If I find it, I'll link it. __________________ 2007 X3 2022 M3 Base
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07-25-2023, 01:01 PM	#3
smaglik First Lieutenant 529 Rep 360 Posts Drives: 2007 X3 MT Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Flagstaff, AZ iTrader: (0)	It was g01. https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2035361 __________________ 2007 X3 2022 M3 Base
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07-25-2023, 01:22 PM	#4
ferrarii52 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: '19 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	I plan on having my dealer look at it when I take it in for service next month. Just not sure I am convinced there is an issue with the ECU. Its under CPO warranty for another year. Looks like the other thread is a OTA update issue.
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07-26-2023, 12:28 PM	#5
jsh139 How YOU Doin? 1709 Rep 1,557 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Philly 'burbs iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 M40i [10.00]	$21,000 for a new ECU?! Or did you mean to type 2.1K. $2,100. __________________ 2022 X3 M40i
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07-26-2023, 04:31 PM	#7
GOTOFMS Private First Class 80 Rep 128 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	21K? Are they replacing the entire drive-train as well?
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07-27-2023, 01:55 AM	#8
glennbk Major 588 Rep 1,092 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	Sounds like they are using the "parts shotgun" approach. Throw a bunch of parts at it, maybe one will stick... There are very few true mechanics out there. They either burned out and retired or they opened their own shop. Dealers are super greedy and squeeze every last dime out of warranty work.
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07-28-2023, 12:20 PM	#9
ferrarii52 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: '19 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	Yes $20,975 was the value she showed me. I expected $3-5k dealer pricing not 20k. Especially since they are available for around 1k-2k on the internet. There was something a little shady it seemed at that dealer anyways (myrtle beach BMW). Ill see what my dealer says when I take it to them next month. I really think it is a ground issue its just a matter of finding it.
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07-28-2023, 01:05 PM	#10
mattsheng Captain 989 Rep 668 Posts Drives: 2023 X3 xDrive 30i Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Houston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW X3 xDrive30i [10.00]	I mean the engine only costs $13,052 from this BMW dealer (https://parts.bmwnorthwest.com/p/720...002455302.html). Sure, changing the engine will take 263 FRU, which is about 26 hours. So labor + new engine probably equals the quote she gave you. What a shady dealer...
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