My e39 problems

[publicbus]

Hi All Sifus,I need some help from all the sifus whom read this thread. After a long time of admiring e39 bimmers, 4 years to be exact, I finally bought an e39 523 2000 last month. I bought through a 'freelance' agent and had it checked by a mechanic in Bukit Mertajam before I bought it. Since then till today, I have been in and out of the workshop and along the way spent a substantial $$$ repairing and changing parts. The most costly one was after my engine got overheated. I am not familiar with the technical terms but I will try my best to describe my current problem. Intemittently, there will be 2 yellow lights appear on my dashboard after I started my car. It happened for the past more than a week. Sometimes, when I switched off the ignition and restart, both the lights will disappear but sometimes they wont. The 2 yellow lights are "EML" and a yellow traingle with "!" in it. The "ABS" light does not appear. When these 2 lights appear, my car could not go faster than 40 km/hr. Sent my car to the workshop in BM a few times but could not solve the problems. The last time I went to the workshop, I was told by the mechanic that the ABS controller is mulfunction and requires changing to a new unit. Quoted price for that unit is around RM2800. However, when they checked with the computer, there is no error mentioning the unit is spoilt. My mechanic said the malfunction of this unit will not be able to be detected by the computer and he has changed many such units before. He also mentioned that they can replace the unit but the yellow lights will still appear and I need to send to Auto Bavaria for them to reset. I dont mind changing if the problem is caused by the ABS controller but I just worry there could be other reasons causing the problem.Another funny thing I noticed on my dashboard is when I turn on the ignition before starting the car, I can see all lights appears on my dashboard but not the "ABS" yellow light. Again, this is intermittent which means sometimes there is ABS light sometimes not.I have made an appointment with Auto Bavaria on Monday and really hope for sifus out there to advise me before I go on Monday. Thanks

 

[publicbus]

Just referred to the car handbook. The yellow indicators that appeared at the dashbord are namely EML ( Electronic engine output control) and ASC+T (automatic stability control plus traction)/ DSC ( Dynamic Stability Control). Any sifus can help out?

 

[tamade7]

According to the manual yellow means check as soon as possible. the triangle with "!" means the indicator for automatic stability control have been switched off with the button or are defective. The EML means there is a fault in the electronice engine management system. I don't know if the ABS indicator is suppose to light up before cranking the engine because I don't pause in between. Maybe our bros from Penanag can recommend you some competent workshop around your area or you can post another thread asking for those workshop. I would definately get a second opinion before spending substantial amount.

 

[publicbus]

Thanks tamade7. I just found out another thread posted by bindablitz in 2005. He said AB changed the EML system and thingsare back to normal. I am waiting for his reply what he meant by changing the EML system. From the way, I see it, I think my mechanic could be wrong in wanting to change the ABS unit control.

 

[tamade7]

Yeah. Do search for posts on workshop in Penang. Remember to ask a lot of questions when the mechanic explain the probs to you. I am very anal about things I want to do to my car and I do a lot of research. It took me one whole week to decide on a battery replacement when it went kaput.

 

[publicbus]

Sent to another mechanic to check today. This time around his scantool was able to detect an EML problem. Cleared the error code and the car was fine but the problem came back after 2 hours !!. I think I really need to change the EML. Was quoted RM2000 for the replacement plus sending it to AB to reset.

 

[tamade7]

I would think changing the EML means changing the computer board. Am I right? Did you try www.realoem.com put in your chasis number there and you can search for the parts.

 

[aDrIaN]

When both my yellow lights came on it was due to age. They are the sensors on the front and rear wheels. The sensors on the wheels were changed.

The reason for mine to come on was going thru standing water during the rain and water went in. Took about a day for it to dry out. then the lights went off. Another one i encountered was when i really really whack into a f**king big pothole. The other one is when i reverse very very quickly when im pissed and emergency brake in reverse then the light will come on an hour later or less.

So mine is actually the individual sensors at the wheels. So i dont know if that affected the main ABS sensor unit in the engine bay. Hope not. Hopefully that might give u another way of determining the source of the warning yellow lights.

 

[publicbus]

I have read in other threads that some e39 owners solved the problem after changing the sensor at the left real wheel. Now I am really confused. Not sure whether EML is the real 'culprit' behind this. May be it is best to allow AB to take a look but had asked the new mechanic of mine to order the part from KL.
tamade - went into realoem but just dont know how to find the parts.

 

[tamade7]

You can always ask your mechanic what is the part number he is replacing. Then search for the part number on realoem. Than way you will understand more about your car and can share your knowledge in the future.

 

[publicbus]

On my way to AB this morning. As usual both the "EML" and "ASC" came out brightly as ever. Stopped for breakfast on the way. When start my car after b reakfast, both lights mysteriously did no appear. However went to AB anyway. The mechanic there was very helpful. Was told there was something wrong with the oxygen sensor. Hmmmm... 3 different workshops , 3 different autopsies, 3 different findings. (If only Quincy Jones was aorund). The mechanic cleaned the oxygen sensor and cleared the error. During the few hours there, both the "EML" and "ASC" did not come out. Happy with the outcome, went to Golden to pay uncle a visit. Spent an hour day and when went back to the car, the ever mysterious "EML" and "ASC" appeared again. Frustrated and with a limp, went back to AB. Dont know what to expect now. It has to spend the night there.... sad story continues tomorrow

 

[publicbus]

The car is still in AB. They have changed a relay and both the "ASC" and "EML" lights do not come out anymore. They took it for a test drive and discovered that the car has no "power". Checked again and found out error for O2 sensor. AB needs to order from Spore and will take about 2 days to arrive. Quoted RM1750. Checked with outside workshop and they quoted RM 450. The problem is this O2 sensor problem cant be detected by their equipment (outside workshops). After so many days (weeks infact), decided to get from AB and let them settle once and for all. Hopefully this can make the car ALIVE for the first time since buying. Mind tired poket also koyak.
Do you think the RM450 sensor is the same as RM1750 from AB? Or the RM450 is OEM one?

BTW, faulty O2 sensor can cause the car to lose "power"?

 

[wan520i]

Do you think the RM450 sensor is the same as RM1750 from AB? Or the RM450 is OEM one?

Definately different from OEM lah....price pun sudah jauh beza..., itu mesti ada cop BMW logo on it..., need to order from Singapore somemore..., otherwise they will just get it from BA (Bavaria Autoparts) at Segambut lo..

Good Luck!!

 

[publicbus]

Collected my e39 yesterday. No change of ABS control unit nor O2 sensor. Changed a relay and EML. Damaged = RM1800+ .So far so good since yesterday 4.00pm(touch woooooooood) . Felt better power too.

Just a question which needs some sifus' help. How do we know when our O2 is faulty? any sympthoms?

 

[tamade7]

Since you are not getting the problem solved outside then I gues the best solution is AB. You can always complain if the problem still persists after paying some RM1800++

 

[publicbus]

Oh sorry for the confusion. AB finally detected the problem as EML instead of O2 sensor. However they have to order from AB Spore and it will take a few days taking into consideration the longer weekend holidays. Could not order from Johor due to the flood there. I bought the original EML from outside workshop and installed by them. Sent back to AB for setting (the mechanic said I need to get AB to do the setting but AB said no need). Anyway, AB did it for me. Not sure what the setting is all about.
So far so good ( touch wood again).
Hopefully this problem is resolved.

 

[tamade7]

Bro can you tell me the part number just for my references. Thanks

 

[publicbus]

Bro can you tell me the part number just for my references. Thanks

Sure. As per the print out from AB, the EML part is called "Throttle Housing Assy" with part number 13 54 1 433 414.

Have to tell you this. AB quoted me RM 1749 but the outside workshop quoted RM 1700 + installation (after discount). Didnt check how much AB wil charge for the installation though. Installation is very fast. Should be less than 30 minutes. Both ori with BMW chop. AB comes with 2-year warranty and outside workshop 3 months only. Wanted to get from AB but have to wait a few more days, so opted for putside workshop.
FYI, AB did not charge me for the setting. I am rather surprised AB charged me only RM 40 for the relay and RM 60 for the checking of the problem inclusive checking the wiring bla bla bla. Left the cars at AB for a few days. So I was a little surprised it was only RM100+. And , the customer service officer and the mechanics were really friendly. Thanks Mureli if you are reading this thread. Hope future visit (touch wood) to AB will be this pleasant.
Oh yea, one more thing, I love the teh tarik from the dispenser machine.

 

[tamade7]

Thanks bro. Yeah AB charged you not bad at all. I once sent my car to AB Sungai Besi to have my tailight wiring checked, RM231.00 just for checking.

 

[Zoggee]

Welcome to the wolrd of BMWs....!!!