Check Engine Light/engine malfunction/Reduced power

[AMS1988]

Driving to the movies last night and this message "engine operating at reduced output" came up and the car started acting funny. I couldn't go past 60, i was able to make it to the movies and back home. It's now Sunday morning so I'm waiting for BMW to open. I just had an ESS s/c installed 3 weeks ago. Has anyone experienced this same problem? took pictures but they need to be resized before getting uploaded.

[IMG]

Try to start the car this morning and report back plz.

[AMS1988]

Just started the car again. Message is still there. I'm trying to get a hold of the shop who did the install but of course it's Sunday so no luck until tomorrow.

[AMS1988]

Here's a pic

[AMS1988]

Frustrating.

[IMG]

Originally Posted by MikeLowry

Frustrating.

I assume you have the eflash cable !
If yes, can you pull the codes out and post them ?
Might be an easy fix

[AMS1988]

Originally Posted by img

I assume you have the eflash cable !
If yes, can you pull the codes out and post them ?
Might be an easy fix

That's what I'm gonna do and see what happens.

[SilentAttack]

Good luck with the fix. Does the redline reduce to 4.5k?

[AMS1988]

Originally Posted by SilentAttack

Good luck with the fix. Does the redline reduce to 4.5k?

Thanks and yes it's stuck right there so I'm basically in "limp mode"

[JEllis]

Since you recently are SCd my first guess would be something loose as a result of the install. But that could be a lot of things. Injectors, cam position sensor ect...

When I installed my kit I had accidentally disconnected one of the cam position sensors which caused the car to revert to limp mode.

Does your shop have experience with ESS kits?

Jason

[AMS1988]

Originally Posted by JEllis

Since you recently are SCd my first guess would be something loose as a result of the install. But that could be a lot of things. Injectors, cam position sensor ect...

When I installed my kit I had accidentally disconnected one of the cam position sensors which caused the car to revert to limp mode.

Does your shop have experience with ESS kits?

Jason

The install was done by an ESS authorized dealer so yeah they have experience with it. It sucks because no one is open on Sundays so I'm just impatiently waiting for tomorrow morning.

[JEllis]

Originally Posted by MikeLowry

The install was done by an ESS authorized dealer so yeah they have experience with it. It sucks because no one is open on Sundays so I'm just impatiently waiting for tomorrow morning.

Yeah I know that feeling. As others have said, the ESS cable will read your fault codes. Thats how I narrowed my issue to the cam sensor. Or, you could pick up a generic code reader from autozone and at least get the code. It might be a simple fix. But if it is something like the cam sensor or an injector, you will have to remove the manifold.

On a side note, have you checked your fuel cap? I am just trying to think of really simple things that might throw a code. Sometimes if your fuel cap is not on correctly you can get a code. I think its something like fuel tank pressure code or something. You might want to check under the hood and make sure all caps are secure (oil and coolant). Also check all the rubber lines going to and from the manifold and to and from the intake behind the SC. Some of these rubber hoses and the larger plastic hose going to the intake do not use clamps and are simply pressed on. They could potentially come off and cause a vacuum issue. Its a long shot but it could be something super easy.

[IMG]

Any codes yet ??

[AMS1988]

Originally Posted by JEllis

Yeah I know that feeling. As others have said, the ESS cable will read your fault codes. Thats how I narrowed my issue to the cam sensor. Or, you could pick up a generic code reader from autozone and at least get the code. It might be a simple fix. But if it is something like the cam sensor or an injector, you will have to remove the manifold.

On a side note, have you checked your fuel cap? I am just trying to think of really simple things that might throw a code. Sometimes if your fuel cap is not on correctly you can get a code. I think its something like fuel tank pressure code or something. You might want to check under the hood and make sure all caps are secure (oil and coolant). Also check all the rubber lines going to and from the manifold and to and from the intake behind the SC. Some of these rubber hoses and the larger plastic hose going to the intake do not use clamps and are simply pressed on. They could potentially come off and cause a vacuum issue. Its a long shot but it could be something super easy.

I just did all these things. I did check for the error codes but nothing came up. It said no errors at all. I did notice some cracks in the hose going to the intake so I'm hoping that's the issue. I'll take her in tomorrow to see what's up. Thanks for the help man.

[AMS1988]

Originally Posted by img

Any codes yet ??

No luck at all.

[JEllis]

Wow no codes? You might want to disconnect the battery to reset the car. It wont erase your ESS software but it might clear whatever caused you to go to limp mode.

[jlee403]

This just happened to me this morning as i was making a right turn. car throttle felt a little different after the error message came up. biggest tell tale sign that we have the same problem is the redline jumped up to about 4500 rpm and doesn't drop from that point. Only thing scaring me is unlike some of the others on this thread, my car does not have any forced induction of any sort added. car is bone stock so I'm a little scared… any input before i take it to the dealership??

2008 e92 m3
48,xxx miles

Thanks in advance for the input
-James

[Amirsm3]

Originally Posted by jlee403

This just happened to me this morning as i was making a right turn. car throttle felt a little different after the error message came up. biggest tell tale sign that we have the same problem is the redline jumped up to about 4500 rpm and doesn't drop from that point. Only thing scaring me is unlike some of the others on this thread, my car does not have any forced induction of any sort added. car is bone stock so I'm a little scared… any input before i take it to the dealership??

2008 e92 m3
48,xxx miles

Thanks in advance for the input
-James

James, your best bet is to get the code read.

[JEllis]

Originally Posted by jlee403

This just happened to me this morning as i was making a right turn. car throttle felt a little different after the error message came up. biggest tell tale sign that we have the same problem is the redline jumped up to about 4500 rpm and doesn't drop from that point. Only thing scaring me is unlike some of the others on this thread, my car does not have any forced induction of any sort added. car is bone stock so I'm a little scared… any input before i take it to the dealership??

2008 e92 m3
48,xxx miles

Thanks in advance for the input
-James

Were you driving hard prior to this happening... and had you been driving for a relatively short amount of time?

[Grail05]

no one will be able to help you without a code. since your symptoms doesnt seem like its a TVA issue i would suggest get it code and post the code so people here can help.

[jlee403]

Originally Posted by JEllis

Were you driving hard prior to this happening... and had you been driving for a relatively short amount of time?

to be honest, yes, i was driving quite aggressively before this happened in the same drive. Id say i drive normally 60% of the time and quite fast the remaining 40% of the time. The day this happened, i warmed up my car for about 10-15 minutes like i do every morning. Drove it fairly hard, but not exceeding 60mph within the first 5 minutes of driving. Error popped up about 6 minutes into driving… literally a minute or so after i started to slow down. 99% of the time i don't start driving my car unless the redline goes up to at least 8000. Normal morning routine is to turn on my car before hopping in the shower.

This is not the first standard car I've owned so my driving shouldn't be the main cause of the problem. Any driver related problems this could be? Im not sure if it helps, but i got an oil change about 500 miles ago.

Sorry if I'm a little less informed than others, but how can i get the error code? Im driving my other car at the moment and keeping the m3 garaged until i take it into the dealership this upcoming monday. ill keep you guys posted on updates

Thanks again for all the help guys.
-James

[SenorFunkyPants]

You didn't perchance let your fuel tank run low?