Reading codes

Darkshines629 · 04-17-2017, 11:39 AM

Hi everyone,

I have a 2011 328 xdrive sedan. When in sport mode, in 2nd or 3rd gear, at about 3500 rpm, sometimes I feel a hesitation and sputter, the "service engine" light comes on, and the car is hobbling. I pull over, turn the car off, then on, and it's like nothing happened (light has disappeared).

Does anyone know a place that could read the codes for free? I assume autozone or somewhere like that doesn't have the reader. I've called 2 indy's and they charge 30 min labor for a 1 min job.

Any suggestions north, NW, or west of boston would be helpful. Thank you.

b92 · 04-17-2017, 01:17 PM

You have a misfire in one or multiple cylinders and your engine is cutting power to those to protect itself. How many miles on your car? Could just be spark plugs that need to be replaced, but you should definitely get the codes read as it will give you detail down to which cylinder.

Autozone wouldn't be able to read BMW codes, but there are forum members in the Boston area that could help you out using the Carly app on Android/iOS, plugs right into your OBD port.

EDIT - AVOID WOT PULLS UNTIL YOU GET IT FIXED!!!!

Darkshines629 · 04-17-2017, 02:22 PM

Thanks for the info. 50k miles.

b92 · 04-17-2017, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkshines629

Thanks for the info. 50k miles.

That's what I'm at and I had the exact same symptoms as you. Under recommendation from Torgus, I replaced all 6 of my OEM spark plugs with NGK 5992 and my coils with the Delphi ones which are used on the new M3/M4.

If you are changing spark plugs, you need to replace that entire cylinder bank (cylinders 1,2,3 or 4,5,6); you will need to get the code read to see which cylinder is causing the issue. For coils, you will need to change all 6 if going to non-OEM coils.

Parts I installed, both come with a lifetime warranty if ordered through FCP:
Spark Plugs
Coils

Darkshines629 · 04-24-2017, 11:00 AM

Thank you very much djh2 for meeting me near work to have the codes read. How was the chimay?

Thank you very much bimmer72 for changing the spark plugs - at a much better price than local indy shop quotes - and for providing additional maintenance tips.

So far, looks like the sputtering problem is fixed!

04-17-2017, 11:39 AM	#1
Darkshines629 Private 22 Rep 75 Posts Drives: Awesome car Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Reading codes Hi everyone, I have a 2011 328 xdrive sedan. When in sport mode, in 2nd or 3rd gear, at about 3500 rpm, sometimes I feel a hesitation and sputter, the "service engine" light comes on, and the car is hobbling. I pull over, turn the car off, then on, and it's like nothing happened (light has disappeared). Does anyone know a place that could read the codes for free? I assume autozone or somewhere like that doesn't have the reader. I've called 2 indy's and they charge 30 min labor for a 1 min job. Any suggestions north, NW, or west of boston would be helpful. Thank you.
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04-17-2017, 01:17 PM	#2
b92 Major 540 Rep 1,040 Posts Drives: E92 335is, 6MT Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (2)	You have a misfire in one or multiple cylinders and your engine is cutting power to those to protect itself. How many miles on your car? Could just be spark plugs that need to be replaced, but you should definitely get the codes read as it will give you detail down to which cylinder. Autozone wouldn't be able to read BMW codes, but there are forum members in the Boston area that could help you out using the Carly app on Android/iOS, plugs right into your OBD port. EDIT - AVOID WOT PULLS UNTIL YOU GET IT FIXED!!!! __________________ 2011 E92 335is, Space Grey/Coral Red, 6MT. RB 2+, Wedge tuned. E85 PI coming soon.
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04-17-2017, 02:22 PM	#3
Darkshines629 Private 22 Rep 75 Posts Drives: Awesome car Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the info. 50k miles.
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04-24-2017, 11:00 AM	#5
Darkshines629 Private 22 Rep 75 Posts Drives: Awesome car Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Thank you very much djh2 for meeting me near work to have the codes read. How was the chimay? Thank you very much bimmer72 for changing the spark plugs - at a much better price than local indy shop quotes - and for providing additional maintenance tips. So far, looks like the sputtering problem is fixed!
	Appreciate 0 Quote