Warning for Those Who Dropped Things in the ECU Box!

Mr. 5 · 09-20-2008, 04:24 PM

My ecu box fan has been making sounds so I ordered a new one.
For those who don't know about the ECU fan, it's #5 in the pic:

I learned in a previous thread that the fan sucks air through the red arrow and blows out the air through the yellow arrow cooling the ECU:

Well, today I installed the new fan and look what I found. There was a piece of electrical tape that the fan sucked up.
I was careless about some tape that I dropped in the ECU box a while back and just figured that it wouldn't be a big deal, but I was wrong.

I found out that some people's fans are making weird noises and I'll bet that it's the same thing as what I found, which is some debris in the fan blades.
My noise was so loud that I unplugged the fan, but that's not a good idea since the ECU could cook itself to death. It was just a couple days though.

FYI, this fan is somewhat a PITA to install since it's attached to the firewall behind the fuse box.
Notice that I also took the ecu out and vacuumed all of the other debris in my ECU box so I won't have this problem again.
Just thought I'd let you guys know.

NRG · 09-20-2008, 04:36 PM

Thanks for the info and pics Mr. 5, very usefull indeed. Btw what are those 2 red conectors that coming out of JB3 root harness?

sinned · 09-20-2008, 04:40 PM

Your ECU has a turbo? Or is that a supercharger?

Mr. 5 · 09-20-2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NRG

Thanks for the info and pics Mr. 5, very usefull indeed. Btw what are those 2 red conectors that coming out of JB3 root harness?

There are 3 of them actually.
That's how I connected my map switch and I ran the wires to my glove compartment.

aut0sh0cker · 09-20-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinned

Your ECU has a turbo? Or is that a supercharger?

sadly those are bigger than our real turbos!!

shane335i · 09-20-2008, 05:16 PM

NRG · 09-20-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. 5

There are 3 of them actually.
That's how I connected my map switch and I ran the wires to my glove compartment.

Thanks, I wonder how would an upcoming BMS digi-gauge/switcher would connect? Sorry

,...now back to you.

e90AW335i · 09-20-2008, 05:22 PM

I have had my fan unplugged for about a month or so now. I really need to replace it.

rwalker · 09-20-2008, 05:58 PM

Thanks for going the extra mile again, Mr. 5. You're one of this community's most valuable assets.

Where's that Performance Suspension review and DIY?

-Rob

normtrum · 09-20-2008, 06:52 PM

wow....good thread for those who have some unknown noises coming from the direction of their ecu. That looked like a pretty big piece of tape! I'm glad you were able to fix the problem.

Mr. 5 · 09-20-2008, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwalker

Where's that Performance Suspension review and DIY?

-Rob

Track day is tomorrow.

Hunter399 · 09-20-2008, 07:19 PM

Interesting

Bubbles · 09-20-2008, 07:48 PM

Great info as always. Thanks Mr. 5.

AV9 · 09-20-2008, 08:12 PM

indeed! great info!

5soko · 09-21-2008, 12:09 AM

great work! def never seen this before.

Mr.5, bit off topic, is that a PNP jb3? how do you like the JB3 overall? any issues

stressdoc · 09-21-2008, 12:37 AM

That pic cracks me up, it looks just like the blower for my house furnace that I took apart last winter when it started vibrating the whole house. Turned out that the wiring diagram that was taped on the inside of the panel had gotten sucked in. Pulled it out, put everything back together and it ran smooth as silk. Wow I was happy, I was figuring that it was time for a new furnace after 20 years.

Oh yeah, as if it weren't obvious, but this is not a job that you want your dealer doing...

Mr. 5 · 09-21-2008, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Oh yeah, as if it weren't obvious, but this is not a job that you want your dealer doing...

Isn't that the truth!

NM_BMW · 09-21-2008, 04:37 PM

Is this not the same hole that everyone runs their usb cable through? or is this the upper most hole?

Mr. 5 · 09-21-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humtek

Is this not the same hole that everyone runs their usb cable through? or is this the upper most hole?

The hole where the usb cable goes through is the red arrow in the pic above.
The fan is above the hole you are speaking about.

satakal · 09-21-2008, 08:31 PM

You're an awesome human being for posting this. Tell us about Fontana! (in the appropriate subforum of course)

JOe335i · 09-21-2008, 09:06 PM

PNP FTW!!!

PaulBailey@ltbmw · 09-21-2008, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aut0sh0cker

sadly those are bigger than our real turbos!!

09-20-2008, 04:24 PM	#1
Mr. 5 Modder Raider 753 Rep 8,633 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Surf City, HB iTrader: (31) Garage List 2007 e90 335i [8.00]	Warning for Those Who Dropped Things in the ECU Box! My ecu box fan has been making sounds so I ordered a new one. For those who don't know about the ECU fan, it's #5 in the pic: I learned in a previous thread that the fan sucks air through the red arrow and blows out the air through the yellow arrow cooling the ECU: Well, today I installed the new fan and look what I found. There was a piece of electrical tape that the fan sucked up. I was careless about some tape that I dropped in the ECU box a while back and just figured that it wouldn't be a big deal, but I was wrong. I found out that some people's fans are making weird noises and I'll bet that it's the same thing as what I found, which is some debris in the fan blades. My noise was so loud that I unplugged the fan, but that's not a good idea since the ECU could cook itself to death. It was just a couple days though. FYI, this fan is somewhat a PITA to install since it's attached to the firewall behind the fuse box. Notice that I also took the ecu out and vacuumed all of the other debris in my ECU box so I won't have this problem again. Just thought I'd let you guys know. Attached Images __________________ e36 M3 Coupe, e36 325i Sedan e90 335i--SOLD Best 60-130-------------9.15 Seconds------------------WWW.MR5RACING.COM
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09-20-2008, 04:36 PM	#2
NRG Lieutenant Colonel 36 Rep 1,658 Posts Drives: 2012 X5 35d Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montreal QC iTrader: (5)	Thanks for the info and pics Mr. 5, very usefull indeed. Btw what are those 2 red conectors that coming out of JB3 root harness?
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09-20-2008, 04:40 PM	#3
sinned New Member 0 Rep 15 Posts Drives: PTE 6262 Join Date: May 2008 Location: GA iTrader: (0)	Your ECU has a turbo? Or is that a supercharger?
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09-20-2008, 05:16 PM	#6
shane335i Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 207 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW M4 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Woodside, CA iTrader: (0)
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09-20-2008, 05:22 PM	#8
e90AW335i Major General 137 Rep 6,608 Posts Drives: e90 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ...... iTrader: (4)	I have had my fan unplugged for about a month or so now. I really need to replace it. __________________ I install all tunes, intakes, o2 simms, and most cosmetic mods. PM me for a quote.
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09-20-2008, 05:58 PM	#9
rwalker Major 330 Rep 1,084 Posts Drives: the wheels off Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1)	yay, real pictures of that fan, and the holes! Thanks for going the extra mile again, Mr. 5. You're one of this community's most valuable assets. Where's that Performance Suspension review and DIY? -Rob
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09-20-2008, 06:52 PM	#10
normtrum Colonel 52 Rep 2,225 Posts Drives: e90 335i, e46 330i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: PNW iTrader: (1)	wow....good thread for those who have some unknown noises coming from the direction of their ecu. That looked like a pretty big piece of tape! I'm glad you were able to fix the problem. __________________ 07 335i sedan \| Steptronic \| Black saphire \| Terra \| ZPP \| ZSP \| Cold Weather \| CA \| PDC \| Nav \| OEM Alarm
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09-20-2008, 07:19 PM	#12
Hunter399 Major General 323 Rep 8,091 Posts Drives: F90M5 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (33)	Interesting
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09-20-2008, 07:48 PM	#13
Bubbles Brigadier General 2753 Rep 4,445 Posts Drives: Green Bastard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bishop Bend iTrader: (3)	Great info as always. Thanks Mr. 5. __________________
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09-20-2008, 08:12 PM	#14
AV9 Brigadier General 137 Rep 4,314 Posts Drives: 2009 e92 m3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: OC/SD iTrader: (7)	indeed! great info!
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09-21-2008, 12:09 AM	#15
5soko Brigadier General 333 Rep 4,632 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (4)	great work! def never seen this before. Mr.5, bit off topic, is that a PNP jb3? how do you like the JB3 overall? any issues
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09-21-2008, 12:37 AM	#16
stressdoc Moderator 618 Rep 10,855 Posts Drives: BMW i8; Toy 4runner TRD pro Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waco TX iTrader: (0)	That pic cracks me up, it looks just like the blower for my house furnace that I took apart last winter when it started vibrating the whole house. Turned out that the wiring diagram that was taped on the inside of the panel had gotten sucked in. Pulled it out, put everything back together and it ran smooth as silk. Wow I was happy, I was figuring that it was time for a new furnace after 20 years. Oh yeah, as if it weren't obvious, but this is not a job that you want your dealer doing... __________________ My recent ED photos: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1026808 my not-so-recent ED: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31829 Please join BMWCCA http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=c...&ref_by=300279
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09-21-2008, 04:37 PM	#18
NM_BMW Vishnu Powered 68 Rep 2,205 Posts Drives: 335xi, S1000RR Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Proceding iTrader: (7)	Is this not the same hole that everyone runs their usb cable through? or is this the upper most hole? __________________ 2008 335xi Sedan \| Titanium Silver \| Black Dakota PROcede v5 \| Vishnu Exhaust \| BMS DCI \| AR Catless DPs \| Helix FMIC \| Stett Charge w/ Tial BOV \| MORR VS8s \| KWv3
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09-21-2008, 08:31 PM	#20
satakal Major 95 Rep 1,476 Posts Drives: e46 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: socal iTrader: (2)	You're an awesome human being for posting this. Tell us about Fontana! (in the appropriate subforum of course)
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09-21-2008, 09:06 PM	#21
JOe335i Lieutenant 28 Rep 525 Posts Drives: R32-08STI-e92335i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: AUSTRIA iTrader: (0)	PNP FTW!!!
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