BMW X3 - CEL, problem solved, will it go out?

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ryan2022

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Hi folks,

I just had a cylinder 6 misfire on my wifes BM'r and took a look at the plug. The gap had actually grown to roughly twice the specified gap!

I changed out all 6, and the car is running well again. Will the CEL eventually go out with enough start cycles? I wish they were easier to clear in these things.

Thanks,

Ryan
 
If not, then a $10 obd2 bt adapter and a free Torque app on your smartphone should help clear it.

Just curious, how many miles on the plugs?
 
If the spark plugs were actually the problem and the ECU no longer detects a fault, yes the light will go out on it's own after a number of consecutive drive cycles.

Depending on the actual fault type, it may be 40 or 80 drive cycles. A drive cycle is not a simple start / stop of the engine, it is explained in the document linked below.

Here a link to a document that describes the ODBII compliance from BMW, the ECU is older than what you have but the Federal Regulations are still close to the same I believe.

http://www.beisansystems.com/misc/SEIMENS_MS_420_ENGINE_CONTROL_SYSTEM.pdf

The fault code will also be cleared from memory automatically if the specific function is checked through 40* consecutive drive cycles without the fault being detected or with the use of either the DIS, MODIC or Scan tool.
* NOTE: In order to clear a catalyst damaging fault (see Misfire Detection) from memory, the condition under which the fault occurred must be evaluated for 80 consecutive cycles without the fault reoccurring.
 
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Thanks Pete,

I may just do that. Where would I buy the adapter?

The plugs have roughly 100,000 kms or 60k miles. I was surprised at how worn they were. Good to get them out of there. I went with NGK iridiums and the seem to work well in terms of smoothness and response. Just for your reference.
 
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Can you have the code read at Advance Auto or Autozone for free? After I had a code read on the Matrix it went off shortly afterwards.
 
Originally Posted By: shanneba
If the spark plugs were actually the problem and the ECU no longer detects a fault, yes the light will go out on it's own after a number of consecutive drive cycles.

Depending on the actual fault type, it may be 40 or 80 drive cycles. A drive cycle is not a simple start / stop of the engine, it is explained in the document linked below.

Here a link to a document that describes the ODBII compliance from BMW, the ECU is older than what you have but the Federal Regulations are still close to the same I believe.

http://www.beisansystems.com/misc/SEIMENS_MS_420_ENGINE_CONTROL_SYSTEM.pdf

The fault code will also be cleared from memory automatically if the specific function is checked through 40* consecutive drive cycles without the fault being detected or with the use of either the DIS, MODIC or Scan tool.
* NOTE: In order to clear a catalyst damaging fault (see Misfire Detection) from memory, the condition under which the fault occurred must be evaluated for 80 consecutive cycles without the fault reoccurring.


Thanks for that, I appreciate the info. I was surprised that it's 40 times, I guess it's to catch intermittent issues. I think the plugs were definitely the cause. We were having trouble driving it and it was idling hard when we drove home. With the new plugs it's like new again...seems like it would be a really strange coincidence otherwise. I'm really hoping it solved it.
 
Originally Posted By: ryan2022
Thanks Pete,

I may just do that. Where would I buy the adapter?

The plugs have roughly 100,000 kms or 60k miles. I was surprised at how worn they were. Good to get them out of there. I went with NGK iridiums and the seem to work well in terms of smoothness and response. Just for your reference.


There are all kinds of adapters on Amazon, I just searched for one that was Android specific and had good customer reviews. Think I paid $24 for the one I chose, which was not the cheapest option, but it had glowing user comments. I also ended up paying $5 for the full featured Torque app, the two work great together in my car.
 
I accidentally left my MAF unplugged and threw a code. The light went out after 2 or 3 cold starts after I fixed it.

Something more exotic like a misfire will take longer as it has more data to collect. You can also disconnect the battery, but it will have to relearn idle and shifting behavior.
 
Originally Posted By: ryan2022
Thanks Pete,

I may just do that. Where would I buy the adapter?


I got mine from amazon. Just do a search for obd2 bluetooth adapter.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
I accidentally left my MAF unplugged and threw a code. The light went out after 2 or 3 cold starts after I fixed it.
You can also disconnect the battery, but it will have to relearn idle and shifting behavior.


Disconnecting the battery will not clear any codes on a ODBII vehicle, they are required to be stored in Non-volatile memory.Non-volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, NVM or non-volatile storage is computer memory that can retrieve stored information even after having been power cycled (turned off and back on).
 
Originally Posted By: shanneba
Originally Posted By: eljefino
I accidentally left my MAF unplugged and threw a code. The light went out after 2 or 3 cold starts after I fixed it.
You can also disconnect the battery, but it will have to relearn idle and shifting behavior.


Disconnecting the battery will not clear any codes on a ODBII vehicle, they are required to be stored in Non-volatile memory.Non-volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, NVM or non-volatile storage is computer memory that can retrieve stored information even after having been power cycled (turned off and back on).

Yeah it'll be stored, but the light will go out. Who cares after that point
 
Originally Posted By: ryan2022
Thanks Pete,

I may just do that. Where would I buy the adapter?

The plugs have roughly 100,000 kms or 60k miles. I was surprised at how worn they were. Good to get them out of there. I went with NGK iridiums and the seem to work well in terms of smoothness and response. Just for your reference.


Wow. I didn't change the plugs on my wife's 2004 X3 2.5i until 113k- but I finally replaced all six coils at 169k. I guess I like living dangerously...
shocked2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: ryan2022
Thanks Pete,

I may just do that. Where would I buy the adapter?

The plugs have roughly 100,000 kms or 60k miles. I was surprised at how worn they were. Good to get them out of there. I went with NGK iridiums and the seem to work well in terms of smoothness and response. Just for your reference.

The bigger the gap the more voltage needed to fire the plug, and the harder it is on the coil pack.
Wow. I didn't change the plugs on my wife's 2004 X3 2.5i until 113k- but I finally replaced all six coils at 169k. I guess I like living dangerously...
shocked2.gif
 
Same thing happened with our 2010 Rav4.

Had misfire code. I put 4 new plugs in it.

Then deleted the code with a bluetooth obd2 adapter.

Code did not come back.
 
Thanks for all the great comments. I'll admit I've been more needy than helpful lately, and I've really appreciated the help.

I've been around a while, but there's always something new to learn.

Thanks again.
 
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Wow. I didn't change the plugs on my wife's 2004 X3 2.5i until 113k- but I finally replaced all six coils at 169k. I guess I like living dangerously...
shocked2.gif


My E430 is more than 180k now with original coils. I don't plan to do anything with the coils until at least one or two failed.
 
I think the debate for BMW/MB reliability will go on forever. At this point, our old SLK has been far better than our BMW.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
If not, then a $10 obd2 bt adapter and a free Torque app on your smartphone should help clear it.

Just curious, how many miles on the plugs?


QP, can you recommend which one to buy? I've read the reviews on Amazon for quite a few readers and they may or may not work with different models. I want to make sure what I get works with BMW, I have an airbag and Service Engine Soon lights that came on after [censored] gas fillup at a Speedway station.
 
Originally Posted By: Alfred_B
QP, can you recommend which one to buy? I've read the reviews on Amazon for quite a few readers and they may or may not work with different models.

I believe I have this one:
http://amzn.com/B00EQ57BE8

I bought it many years ago, and am unable to find it in my order history though.

It works on my '02 530i using the Torque app. It also works on my wife's '15 Q5 using the Carista app.
 
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