Consistent limp mode after WOT

ZJP · 11-17-2011, 09:29 AM

Recently my car has been going into limp mode anytime I bring it close to redline or if I drive it hard for a short period of time. In addition, the car will shake and violently vibrate and make sounds that would resemble a cammed v8 motor.

I've brought it to the dealer to maybe see if it was the fuel pump again since my first one has already failed but they found no signs leading to that. My only other guess might be that the car is spiking and not holding boost because of the additional increase in power, my former STI sometimes did this.

My performance mods currently consist of dual cone intake, catless downpipes and JB3.

Thanks in advance.

Royal Flush · 11-17-2011, 10:18 AM

Spark plugs? Coils? Injectors?

ZJP · 11-17-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royal Flush

Spark plugs? Coils? Injectors?

Spark plugs were replaced approx 1k miles ago and injectors were done by the dealer as a recall maybe a few thousand miles before that.

enrita · 11-17-2011, 10:26 AM

read the codes.

bryce · 11-17-2011, 10:27 AM

which cylinders are the misfires on? move the coil packs around, see if the misfires follow. coil packs probably need to be replaced

ZJP · 11-17-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enrita

read the codes.

I don't have a BMW specific fault code reader at the moment so unfortunately that's not an option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryce

which cylinders are the misfires on? move the coil packs around, see if the misfires follow. coil packs probably need to be replaced

I'm not sure. Do you really think they would need replacing so early? Car only has 43k miles.

bryce · 11-17-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZJP

I'm not sure. Do you really think they would need replacing so early? Car only has 43k miles.

yes. i had to replace my coils at 40k miles. i changed spark plugs out, injectors were replaced under recall, still had misfires. moved coils around, found out at least 2 were bad. went ahead and replaced all 6, no misfires since

ZJP · 11-17-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryce

yes. i had to replace my coils at 40k miles. i changed spark plugs out, injectors were replaced under recall, still had misfires. moved coils around, found out at least 2 were bad. went ahead and replaced all 6, no misfires since

Might be a stupid question but how would I know if one of my coil packs was faulty just by looking at them?

bryce · 11-17-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZJP

Might be a stupid question but how would I know if one of my coil packs was faulty just by looking at them?

you can't visually tell. you have to see if the misfires follow the coil packs after you switch cylinders. this requires you to have access to a bt cable to see which cylinders are misfiring in the first place.

ZJP · 11-17-2011, 11:21 AM

I'm kinda SOL since I don't have a scanner of any type. Guess I will have to schedule an appointment at the dealer to see if they can test and possibly replace my coil packs.

For the record, I've been reading other threads where people are claiming that their cars sound like Subaru's and the result ended up being faulty coil packs. I'm experiencing the same Subaru boxer motor sound when my car acts up.

indy99gpgt · 11-17-2011, 11:37 AM

Could also be VANOS.

joec500 · 11-17-2011, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indy99gpgt

Could also be VANOS.

My car had similar symptoms with a sticking Vanos

xSPEAR · 11-30-2018, 06:57 AM

I have the same problem, on the scanner got Combustion misfire in 3 cylinders, changed the coils of these 3, still no change. Replaced all 6 spark plugs and still nothing at high load it goes limp mode and vibrates harshly. I didn't replace injectors yet but the local shops here and suggesting that my Catalyst converter might be clogged and they want to open and clean/remove it. Any suggestions what should I do next ?

adonnan · 11-30-2018, 07:52 AM

It's a guessing game without a code reader. Carly, MHD and probably a free app can read codes with a cheap eBay reader... swap coil packs around or replace all of them. Check spark plug gaps.

11-17-2011, 09:29 AM	#1
ZJP Lieutenant Colonel 125 Rep 1,759 Posts Drives: F10 535xi / B6 S4 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LI, NY iTrader: (7)	Consistent limp mode after WOT Recently my car has been going into limp mode anytime I bring it close to redline or if I drive it hard for a short period of time. In addition, the car will shake and violently vibrate and make sounds that would resemble a cammed v8 motor. I've brought it to the dealer to maybe see if it was the fuel pump again since my first one has already failed but they found no signs leading to that. My only other guess might be that the car is spiking and not holding boost because of the additional increase in power, my former STI sometimes did this. My performance mods currently consist of dual cone intake, catless downpipes and JB3. Thanks in advance.
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11-17-2011, 10:18 AM	#2
Royal Flush Major 74 Rep 1,309 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Not everyone who wanders is lost. iTrader: (2)	Spark plugs? Coils? Injectors?
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11-17-2011, 10:26 AM	#4
enrita Major General 161 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: 335i - Big turbos Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Italian in Sweden iTrader: (0)	read the codes. __________________ 07 335i AT - MOTIV 750 - MHD E85 BMS flash - BMS PI - JB4G5 - Okada Coils - NGK 5992 Plugs - Helix IC - Snow Stg. 3 - Stett CP - Custom midpipes with 100 HJS Cats - Bastuck Quad - PSS10 - QUAIFE LSD - BMS OCC - Forge DVs - AR OC - ALCON BBK - M3 Chassi - Dinan CP - Velocity M rear Toe arms - Advan RZ-DF - LUX H8 - Level 10 AT upgrade
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11-17-2011, 10:27 AM	#5
bryce Banned 103 Rep 3,177 Posts Drives: zhp 3-pedal Join Date: May 2010 Location: texas iTrader: (22) Garage List 2005 bmw 330ci zhp [7.34] 2008 bmw 135i- sold [6.00] 2007 bmw 335i- sold [7.14]	which cylinders are the misfires on? move the coil packs around, see if the misfires follow. coil packs probably need to be replaced
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11-17-2011, 11:21 AM	#10
ZJP Lieutenant Colonel 125 Rep 1,759 Posts Drives: F10 535xi / B6 S4 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LI, NY iTrader: (7)	I'm kinda SOL since I don't have a scanner of any type. Guess I will have to schedule an appointment at the dealer to see if they can test and possibly replace my coil packs. For the record, I've been reading other threads where people are claiming that their cars sound like Subaru's and the result ended up being faulty coil packs. I'm experiencing the same Subaru boxer motor sound when my car acts up.
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11-17-2011, 11:37 AM	#11
indy99gpgt Private 13 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 2008 335i BSM coupe Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	Could also be VANOS. __________________ 2008 BSM 335i coupe- Sport.Premium.Dakota Sadel.jb4.dci.meth 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix-10.5 PSI.PRJ LL CAM.Supporting Mods
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11-30-2018, 06:57 AM	#13
xSPEAR New Member 5 Rep 26 Posts Drives: E93 328i Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Beirut iTrader: (0)	I have the same problem, on the scanner got Combustion misfire in 3 cylinders, changed the coils of these 3, still no change. Replaced all 6 spark plugs and still nothing at high load it goes limp mode and vibrates harshly. I didn't replace injectors yet but the local shops here and suggesting that my Catalyst converter might be clogged and they want to open and clean/remove it. Any suggestions what should I do next ?
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11-30-2018, 07:52 AM	#14
adonnan Private 41 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 09 E91 Join Date: May 2017 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	It's a guessing game without a code reader. Carly, MHD and probably a free app can read codes with a cheap eBay reader... swap coil packs around or replace all of them. Check spark plug gaps.
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