[Processing61]

I was doing some work recently which involved having the manifold off and noticed I had an error on one glow plug so I thought I'd go ahead and replace all 6 (all 6 glow plugs and modules were replaced about a year ago previously). I didn't have any bad symptoms like a rough/lumpy cold start in regards to the one glow plug error.

Once I changed the glow plugs (I went for these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/372618154461) straight away on cold starts, especially in the colder mornings the car would run lumpy for 5-10 secs. I checked for errors and now it brings up an error on all 6 glow plugs (DDE: Glow plug, cylinder 'X' activation). So either all 6 plugs are defective or the glow plug module is, most probably the latter.

So my question is, should you always replace the glow plug module together with the plugs? If you don't do this, can this cause the glow plug module to go bad? Seems a bit of a coincidence that as soon as the new 6 plugs were installed it runs worse and I go from one plug error to six.

[dragerboy]

In general the module is the issue. Buy a decent one and change it although its a pig to get to.

[Processing61]

Originally Posted by dragerboy

In general the module is the issue. Buy a decent one and change it although its a pig to get to.

Yes I’m pretty certain the module is the issue too.

Im just trying to understand if you should always change both at the same time and if maybe that is what caused my issue.

I have heard it is a pig. Im probably going to do the valve/rocker cover gasket in the next couple of months so I’ll probably do it the.

[Rich_D]

Originally Posted by dragerboy

In general the module is the issue. Buy a decent one and change it although its a pig to get to.

This ^

I've had 4 330d's over the years and never changed any glow plugs, it's always been the controller, you don't need the change the plugs at the same time.

[POBEP]

Originally Posted by Rich_D

This ^

I've had 4 330d's over the years and never changed any glow plugs, it's always been the controller, you don't need the change the plugs at the same time.

My experience was similar.

I got my 335d (M57Y) last year, 131K miles - seller had paperwork on-hand with both glow plugs and module replaced recently.
It would not pass emissions test as check engine light was on.

The failed glow module appeared to be made by OE supplier.
I replaced it with BMW branded one without taking off intake manifold.

No more glow plug codes so far (1 year, 10K miles)

[0l0dom0l0]

Had a similar issue with my dad's old 535d. Replaced glow plugs and controller with OE parts and it had 6 glow plug faults registered after.

I would only ever buy a genuine controller next time.

[Rich_D]

For information, the OEM glow plug controllers are made for BMW by Beru, so you can get the same part for less money, I fitted a Beru one in my current 330d well over 2 years ago and it resolved all glow plug errors.

The M57 uses a GSE102 and the N57 uses a GSE108, for the E9X generation.

[Processing61]

Thanks, guys, good to know that it's not needed to change both together.

Strange how when installing the 6 new bosch glow plugs that it caused the glow plug module to go faulty straight away.

Anyway, this job will be added to the list.

[Processing61]

Originally Posted by POBEP

My experience was similar.

I got my 335d (M57Y) last year, 131K miles - seller had paperwork on-hand with both glow plugs and module replaced recently.
It would not pass emissions test as check engine light was on.

The failed glow module appeared to be made by OE supplier.
I replaced it with BMW branded one without taking off intake manifold.

No more glow plug codes so far (1 year, 10K miles)

M57/M57N2 E90 or E91? I'm impressed you managed to do it without taking the manifold off, nice!

[POBEP]

Originally Posted by Processing61

M57/M57N2 E90 or E91?

E90 335d - M57Y is North America (SCR) version of the M57D30T2, (see attached document)
(my E91 is N52K/6AT, dreaming of swapping it with M57Y/6MT one day)

Originally Posted by Processing61

I'm impressed you managed to do it without taking the manifold off, nice!

It is actually not that complex.
The trick is to detach (but not remove) Y-coolant pipe and (top) dipstick mounts.
You then can get your (right) hand into the glow plug controller mount/connector area.
I followed this video:

[Rich_D]

Originally Posted by Processing61

Thanks, guys, good to know that it's not needed to change both together.

Strange how when installing the 6 new bosch glow plugs that it caused the glow plug module to go faulty straight away.

Anyway, this job will be added to the list.

realoem states you should not mix systems, i.e. Bosch plugs & Beru controller, for the N57 engine at least.

[Processing61]

Originally Posted by Rich_D

realoem states you should not mix systems, i.e. Bosch plugs & Beru controller, for the N57 engine at least.

Ahh ok, that’s interesting. I’m not sure what make glow plug module it is as the last owner changed it, not me. Could explain why though. If it’s the same for the M57

[Rich_D]

Originally Posted by Processing61

Ahh ok, that’s interesting. I’m not sure what make glow plug module it is as the last owner changed it, not me. Could explain why though. If it’s the same for the M57

Check realoem, I noticed it when getting the BMW part number for the glow plug controller to cross reference to the Beru part number.

Could explain your issue though.

[Processing61]

Originally Posted by POBEP

E90 335d - M57Y is North America (SCR) version of the M57D30T2, (see attached document)
(my E91 is N52K/6AT, dreaming of swapping it with M57Y/6MT one day)




It is actually not that complex.
The trick is to detach (but not remove) Y-coolant pipe and (top) dipstick mounts.
You then can get your (right) hand into the glow plug controller mount/connector area.
I followed this video:

Just changed the glow plug module. Thanks for the video. That was surprisingly easier than I thought using that method. It is a pretty tight fit, having small hands would be ideal for this. The hardest bit I found was pushing/getting a grip on the front and rear clips on the RHS connector and pulling to get the connector off, each time I tried to grip my forearm, veins and arteries (lol) just got crushed. No rough starts now.

I'll see now if the fact that I have bosch plugs and beru module will cause any issues.

[jacbo]

I probably wouldn't worry. I've got Bosch plugs and Beru controller with no issues at all on N57

[bmw-extreme]

While replacing glow plugs I noticed that M47 and M47N2 engines' glow plugs are not exactly the same. M47N2 glow plug has a designation groove. When I tried to install the M47's glow plugs to M47N2, I couldn't tighten them in properly. Every time I try to tighten them they get stuck halfway through. Greasing etc. does not work. But, when I again install the old one, it goes all the way without any problems. Yes they look same, however threads of both glow plugs are slightly different I think. 🤔