HPFP recall repair completed... with no new HPFP?

[jo]

took my '08 135i to the local dealer (who i am never returning to again, for various reasons) who told me that the N54 HPFP was finally recalled! wahoo!

...except when i picked up my car, i was told that all they did was reprogram the ECU. what? isn't the point of a recall to REPLACE the defective part? not so, claimed the SA, it depends on the VIN/production date.

i find it hard to believe that their solution to a car that hadn't always been stuttering, starting, and idling terribly which suddenly started doing so was a SOFTWARE UPDATE. what do i have to do to get them to replace the HPFP, fall off the side of a highway somewhere?

anyone else have this happen to them?

[jo]

i guess it is possible that 13-09-10 is the only one that came up, as is specified here:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472308

[gadget12345]

I've just gone through the same thing - My 1 (MY 08) has the seat belt recall but NOT the HPFP or Injectors called for when looking up my VIN.

Even called BMW NA to confirm.

Is it possible that the early builds had a better / different pump ?

However did confirm that the 10yr extended warranty was in place

Software was updated during a previous visit. Service booked for next month so I'm kind of curious if anyone can shed light on this.

[Impervious]

My Jan/08 135i was in last weekend for the same thing, same situation, no new pump just software and seatbelts... My car has never had any hpfp issues either. Very interesting.

[jo]

Originally Posted by gadget12345

I've just gone through the same thing - My 1 (MY 08) has the seat belt recall but NOT the HPFP or Injectors called for when looking up my VIN.

Even called BMW NA to confirm.

Is it possible that the early builds had a better / different pump ?

However did confirm that the 10yr extended warranty was in place

Software was updated during a previous visit. Service booked for next month so I'm kind of curious if anyone can shed light on this.

yep, i had the seat belt recall, as well as a rubber seal for the brake light done late last year (... at which point the service dept of Local Dealer left the panel open with the cover on the backseat until i pointed it out to them. QUALITY!).

i called A Farther Away Local Dealer SA to ask about the recall repair. he said the software update basically starts the pump earlier, when you open the drivers door, to build enough pressure to mitigate any roughness when you start the car.

i don't see how this fixes the problems i've been having with the engine... we'll see. :/

ADDENDUM: i believe my 1 was originally purchased in january or february of 2008, so it probably has a pretty early production date. (i am the second owner.)

[BSM 135i]

I have an 08', believe its a 3/08 build and got my seatbelt tensioners replaced, 3rd brake light replaced, reprogrammed, all 6 injectors replaced, newest 446 pump installed, heck I even got them to give me new wipers as i was thinking of things to add and to install my magnetic drain plug while they changed the oil!

[Jaguar66]

Originally Posted by jo

took my '08 135i to the local dealer (who i am never returning to again, for various reasons) who told me that the N54 HPFP was finally recalled! wahoo!

...except when i picked up my car, i was told that all they did was reprogram the ECU. what? isn't the point of a recall to REPLACE the defective part? not so, claimed the SA, it depends on the VIN/production date.

i find it hard to believe that their solution to a car that hadn't always been stuttering, starting, and idling terribly which suddenly started doing so was a SOFTWARE UPDATE. what do i have to do to get them to replace the HPFP, fall off the side of a highway somewhere?

anyone else have this happen to them?

So it sounds like many BMW dealers are ignoring these recall letters that they have sent to many customers. Maybe BMW is doing this recall with only a few dealers at a time. Perhaps someone should start a thread showing where the dealers that are doing the HPFP replacement are located.

My dealer is Sonnen BMW, of San Rafael.

[Lexington]

The customer letter says:

"Based on the individual service history of the vehicle, your authorized BMW center will inspect and replace (if required) the highpressure
fuel pump (including the low-pressure fuel sensor) and/or will reprogram your vehicle’s engine control unit. Additionally, to minimize any inconvenience and assure your satisfaction, other fuel system
components may be inspected and replaced, if required. The complete repair may take approximately one day."

So, it appears they will inspect and replace the HPFP only if required and/or will also reprogram the ECU. That appears to leave open the possibility of only doing an ECU reprogram on some cars.

[jo]

Originally Posted by RobMason

So it sounds like many BMW dealers are ignoring these recall letters that they have sent to many customers. Maybe BMW is doing this recall with only a few dealers at a time. Perhaps someone should start a thread showing where the dealers that are doing the HPFP replacement are located.

My dealer is Sonnen BMW, of San Rafael.

Yes, PLEASE start that thread. (Do you like Sonnen? Maybe I should start driving up there.)

Sooooo... guess what happened this morning? My car starts, revs by itself to 2000, stutters and goes back to rough awful idle and the check engine light comes on! After the supposed "fix."

I called back the same SA, and to cover his ass, he says "well, the recall bulletin doesn't say to replace the part, and we were just following that, but since your car is still under warranty we will replace the part." Sure, guy. I've READ that bulletin (both that AND the customer letter) and you're a liar.

Ugh. Waiting for roadside to tow the car to the dealer again. No loaner, of course, nor did they offer to pay for one.

I've been going to Weatherford (in Berkeley) for all warranty/maintenance since purchasing this car a year ago, and they've treated me like an idiot every time. I'm having the car towed there one last time so they replaced the damned HPFP like they should've, and I'm never going back again.

Adding the car's history:
Fall '10, I brought it in for rough starts and idles, and they found fault codes and replaced the low-pressure fuel sensor.
Jan '11, I brought it in for stuttering starts, rough idles, and check engine light, and AGAIN they found fault codes but dismissed them as "fuel being low." Then did ECU flash for "recall."
Jan '11, 2 days later, the same thing happens again. Begrudgingly they are replacing the HPFP. Or so they claim. We'll see when I get the car back.

Seems like a history of the same problem to me.

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by RobMason

So it sounds like many BMW dealers are ignoring these recall letters that they have sent to many customers. Maybe BMW is doing this recall with only a few dealers at a time. Perhaps someone should start a thread showing where the dealers that are doing the HPFP replacement are located.

My dealer is Sonnen BMW, of San Rafael.

This is not a true statement :

"So it sounds like many BMW dealers are ignoring these recall letters that they have sent to many customers. Maybe BMW is doing this recall with only a few dealers at a time."

Dealers can ONLY do what is asked for on the history report that is run each time a car is in for service. and BELIEVE me... if a recall (espically this one) is listed, dealers want to do it because it is easy $$$$$... BMW doesnt pick the dealers... the system pics the vins that BMW tells them are affected...

so it is bsolutly not in the dealers hands...

What can happen, ( and maybe it is because i've seen it ) is that BMW is reporting vins in small groups to the system so that there isnt a rush on parts all at once. that way they can spread it out over time. The tail lamp recall comes to mind because they ran out of parts too soon and had to "postpone " some repairs till parts were available.

it appears as though programming is always on the report because there are no parts necessary for it, just shop time.

my .02

[Impervious]

I want a real answer from a BMW insider.

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by Impervious

I want a real answer from a BMW insider.

Picture from my "office window" >>> inside enough for you <<<

[Impervious]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

Picture from my "office window" >>> inside enough for you <<<

It's good to have a spy on the inside

[jo]

thanks for that, DriveHard. i wish this whole hpfp/warranty/recall debacle were handled better on BMW's account.

in other news... the squeaky wheel really does get the oil, apparently. no pun intended. left an indignant voice mail for the service manager and suddenly a loaner car has appeared.

Originally Posted by DriveHard

Dealers can ONLY do what is asked for on the history report that is run each time a car is in for service. and BELIEVE me... if a recall (espically this one) is listed, dealers want to do it because it is easy $$$$$... BMW doesnt pick the dealers... the system pics the vins that BMW tells them are affected...

so it is bsolutly not in the dealers hands...

What can happen, ( and maybe it is because i've seen it ) is that BMW is reporting vins in small groups to the system so that there isnt a rush on parts all at once. that way they can spread it out over time. The tail lamp recall comes to mind because they ran out of parts too soon and had to "postpone " some repairs till parts were available.

it appears as though programming is always on the report because there are no parts necessary for it, just shop time.

my .02

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by jo

thanks for that, DriveHard. i wish this whole hpfp/warranty/recall debacle were handled better on BMW's account.

in other news... the squeaky wheel really does get the oil, apparently. no pun intended. left an indignant voice mail for the service manager and suddenly a loaner car has appeared.

I wish it was too... its killing me / us .. LOL also leaving alot of unhappy people.. but to tell you the truth, like most on this forum, ( not all) they have learned to deal with it, and arent so scared when the warning light comes on... alot of them pause and restart and off they go..

ahhh you worked the system.. good for you.. in this case i dont ever mind when the system gets worked... BMW should have let the dealer do the pump all in one shot and you would have been super happy... no your pissed and have to go back... they never learn there lesson..

oh well good luck... as a side note the programming AND new pump have seemed to stem the tide of failures... (knocking on wood)

[nordique14]

I was having long cranks on cold days but no codes were thrown. I brought it into my service adviser for the recall. He told me without a code thrown they cannot replace the pump and only do software. He told me that he can call BMW HQ and ask if they can authorize a new pump. I told him to tell them that they can keep the car unless I get a new pump. He laughed and had a chat with the higher ups. The HPFP replacement was authorized.

[jo]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

ahhh you worked the system.. good for you.. in this case i dont ever mind when the system gets worked... BMW should have let the dealer do the pump all in one shot and you would have been super happy... no your pissed and have to go back... they never learn there lesson..

YEAH!!! i'd never been as excited about having a car serviced as when it got towed in the first time, haha. i thought this would be done, once and for all. if BMW would just replace the damned pumps it would be such a gesture of goodwill and good PR for them. i love my 1 and just want to drive it, but it sure wasn't cheap... i expect better treatment from a car manufacturer when i've paid a premium to drive its cars! admit mistakes, move on, and everyone will be happier.

in the meantime... i've got a 335d. noisy, but amusing. and i can finally sort of get back to life!

[Impervious]

Originally Posted by jo

YEAH!!! i'd never been as excited about having a car serviced as when it got towed in the first time, haha. i thought this would be done, once and for all. if BMW would just replace the damned pumps it would be such a gesture of goodwill and good PR for them. i love my 1 and just want to drive it, but it sure wasn't cheap... i expect better treatment from a car manufacturer when i've paid a premium to drive its cars! admit mistakes, move on, and everyone will be happier.

in the meantime... i've got a 335d. noisy, but amusing. and i can finally sort of get back to life!

Are you saying you had to pay for your hpfp?

[jo]

Originally Posted by Impervious

Are you saying you had to pay for your hpfp?

no, no cost to me. sorry if that wasn't clear.

[ronster]

I had the recall done today... however, my situation was opposite. Pump was replaced with the updated 446 but no software update (?!) as all my radio station presets & key settings retained... I had a software update back in Sept last year but I don't think that was the most updated one though...

Should I go back and demand a software update?

[jo]

ANOTHER call from the SA... the fault codes were thrown on the injectors so they are replacing them, but not the hpfp!

they claim that this is UNRELATED to the recall and now are simply performing warranty service.

i don't know what to believe.

[Jaguar66]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

This is not a true statement :

"So it sounds like many BMW dealers are ignoring these recall letters that they have sent to many customers. Maybe BMW is doing this recall with only a few dealers at a time."

Dealers can ONLY do what is asked for on the history report that is run each time a car is in for service. and BELIEVE me... if a recall (espically this one) is listed, dealers want to do it because it is easy $$$$$... BMW doesnt pick the dealers... the system pics the vins that BMW tells them are affected...

so it is bsolutly not in the dealers hands...

What can happen, ( and maybe it is because i've seen it ) is that BMW is reporting vins in small groups to the system so that there isnt a rush on parts all at once. that way they can spread it out over time. The tail lamp recall comes to mind because they ran out of parts too soon and had to "postpone " some repairs till parts were available.

it appears as though programming is always on the report because there are no parts necessary for it, just shop time.

my .02

How can something that sounds like it might be true (and therefore possibly not be true), be false? I covered both possibilities in my statement.

It sounds like you are a dealer. But that may not be a true statement either.