Tamworthbay Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Had an airbag recall/ update last week. Two days later I got the eml on (not unknown - intermittent lambda sensor) tried to attach my new fault code reader and it wouldn't recognise it. It then went a bit mental and the dash died (no lights and Rev counter at 750rpm), after a few seconds it made a funny noise and all was well. Then yesterday it did it again and is now doing it every time I start it, once it's up and running all is fine and it doesn't stop the car working. I have also noticed the fan isn't working now. Sooooooo, first question - what the fuck is going on? And second, could the recall update have affected it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bub2006 Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Ecu update and electrical maladies do sound like they could be related Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 Ecu update and electrical maladies do sound like they could be relatedThat's my thoughts but they didn't start until I plugged the code reader in (which has worked perfectly before). It's presently sat with the battery disconnected so I will see if that helps at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tayne Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Eml, rev counter and dashboard Christmas tree? I'd be thinking earthing issue or voltage shortage from either dying battery or alternator (or both). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 Battery is healthy, alternator output also ok - low power was my first thoughts as well. It seems linked to the update/ fault reader in some way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobblers Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Wouldn't they have taken all the dash to pieces to do the airbags? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tayne Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 It's passenger air bag only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bub2006 Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Controlled via ecu though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 Nope, had that last year. It was the drivers one, it was 'checked and updated' but did not need to be replaced, hence why I wonder if it's affected the firmware. Could be a complete coincidence though as it happens when I was trying to connect the code reader. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tayne Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Is there a recall for driver's airbags?I haven't had a letter about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schaefft Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 There has been a recall for the round Takata airbags used on the sport steering wheels for a long time now, in fact the whole thing happened probably 2 years ago in the states (okay, just checked, the recall only started in February), Im surprised yours is only getting replaced now. I'm not sure if a software update was necessary for the replacement airbag (if that airbag had to be replaced in the first place), if yes something could have gone wrong. There isn't much you can do wrong when replacing the airbag, theres always the chance that cables right under the airbag or on the slip ring might have been damaged though which are now interfering with some control module. I'd get back to the dealer and ask if they can check their work of the problem has occurred directly after the airbag replacement. From what I can tell in your post, it happened directly after you attached your code reader though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 Is there a recall for driver's airbags?I haven't had a letter about that. Nor me, they phoned me up as I had the other done with them last year.There has been a recall for the round Takata airbags used on the sport steering wheels for a long time now, in fact the whole thing happened probably 2 years ago in the states (okay, just checked, the recall only started in February), Im surprised yours is only getting replaced now. I'm not sure if a software update was necessary for the replacement airbag (if that airbag had to be replaced in the first place), if yes something could have gone wrong. There isn't much you can do wrong when replacing the airbag, theres always the chance that cables right under the airbag or on the slip ring might have been damaged though which are now interfering with some control module. I'd get back to the dealer and ask if they can check their work of the problem has occurred directly after the airbag replacement. From what I can tell in your post, it happened directly after you attached your code reader though?The airbag wasn't replaced it was checked and 'updated' but I was told they didn't need to replace it in the end, no idea why. And yes it happened the first time directly after I attached the code reader, I have used it without issue before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardthestag Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 try unplugging the ecu, check contacts are cleen and reconnect. if ODB2 reader cannot see the ECU to pick up the codes sounds a bit like that sort of direction. some of the things you mention sound like the various tests that can be run on the dash. all sorts of christmas tree lights can be bought up by pressing buttons http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=284370 not fun and games, they call all this newfangled stuff progress. funny how cars used to move before all these schenanigans Tamworthbay and Vince70 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 It makes a quiet sort of dud dud dud dud noise very quickly (possibly needles bouncing off bottom stops?) and then lights up and works fine, takes 1-2 minutes after I start the engine. The battery disconnect did nothing so will try the ecu disconnect next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbenn Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Is the instrument cluster connected via a ribbon cable on these? Almost sounds like the panel connection is loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riek Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 E46 owner, never going to claim expert.... My dash started going a bit special when my battery was on its way out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 Tried the ecu disconnect and no improvement. I am going to call BMW tomorrow and see what they say. I think I need to get them to check it before I go any further as I don't want to find it's something they have done but they won't touch it because I have fiddled with it. Thanks for the responses, any further suggestions gratefully received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schaefft Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 The airbag wasn't replaced it was checked and 'updated' but I was told they didn't need to replace it in the end, no idea why. And yes it happened the first time directly after I attached the code reader, I have used it without issue before.Only Takata airbags were affected. Since BMW received airbags from different suppliers, its possible that yours wasnt affected in the end. No idea how they "updated" your old airbag though, as that doesn't really make any sense to me. If it happened only after you connected your OBD reader, it sounds rather unlikely to me that it was the airbag's fault. But who knows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianRetro Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 Sounds like the cluster is in the blink to me. Can you swap one in and see if it behaves the same way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted August 24, 2017 Author Share Posted August 24, 2017 Only Takata airbags were affected. Since BMW received airbags from different suppliers, its possible that yours wasnt affected in the end. No idea how they "updated" your old airbag though, as that doesn't really make any sense to me. If it happened only after you connected your OBD reader, it sounds rather unlikely to me that it was the airbag's fault. But who knows.As usual with main stealers there was no info about the 'update', it could be complete bullshit and they did nothing more than check it but feel that saying that will make customers happy. Sounds like the cluster is in the blink to me. Can you swap one in and see if it behaves the same way? I don't have a spare but that will be the option if needed. I also looked at ECUs in case of worse case scenario and they are cheap, but wonder if they need to be programmed to the car/ immobilisor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianRetro Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 I can't see it being the ECU. The ECU, key and EWS must match. The cluster also needs coded to the car, but everything works without it being coded. You just get the tamper dot on and if the car has DSC, sometimes that lights up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted August 24, 2017 Author Share Posted August 24, 2017 Found the answer, it will be the ecu, ews and keys, not impossible but a pain in the arse. Hopefully not that then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince70 Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 If you take the cluster out and install another wouldn't you get the dot on the side of the mileage which denotes it's been clocked or tampered with, And if the car does any miles before refitting the original clocks I think the dot will show on those as well.I suppose it doesn't matter if it's a keeper or a cheap leggy E46 but it would make it a difference if it's a minty clean one with lowish miles on the clock and you wanted to sell it on at a later date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted August 24, 2017 Author Share Posted August 24, 2017 Hmm, good point and it is a low mile minter. Not planning on selling it but you never know. I will give BMW a shout this afternoon and see what they say and take it from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianRetro Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 If you take the cluster out and install another wouldn't you get the dot on the side of the mileage which denotes it's been clocked or tampered with, And if the car does any miles before refitting the original clocks I think the dot will show on those as well.I suppose it doesn't matter if it's a keeper or a cheap leggy E46 but it would make it a difference if it's a minty clean one with lowish miles on the clock and you wanted to sell it on at a later date.I did mention the tamper dot and in my experience, simply coding the VIN on the new cluster removes it. The mileage on the new cluster is then displayed, though the original mileage is still recorded and counted in the lkm. If you zero the mileage on the new cluster by installing and programming a new chip, it reads the correct mileage from the lkm. If you do more than 60 miles I think and put the old cluster back in, you get a different tamper dot I think indicating a mileage mismatch. (Not absolutely certain on this part - seems to be different model to model) Less than 60 miles and it synchs at the higher mileage. Tamworthbay 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted August 24, 2017 Author Share Posted August 24, 2017 I did mention the tamper dot and in my experience, simply coding the VIN on the new cluster removes it. The mileage on the new cluster is then displayed, though the original mileage is still recorded and counted in the lkm. If you zero the mileage on the new cluster by installing and programming a new chip, it reads the correct mileage from the lkm. If you do more than 60 miles I think and put the old cluster back in, you get a different tamper dot I think indicating a mileage mismatch. (Not absolutely certain on this part - seems to be different model to model)Less than 60 miles and it synchs at the higher mileage.How would I go about coding the VIN? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianRetro Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 Depends on the cluster. I think most E46 have the M35080 chip which can be coded with BMW Scanner 1.4, a clone of which you can get on eBay or Amazon for £30 or so. Tamworthbay 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted August 25, 2017 Author Share Posted August 25, 2017 I phoned BMW this morning, apparently they don't plug it in or even disconnect the battery - odd as the battery cover on mine has a broken clip so you have to put it back in carefully no it wasn't in right. But I have no way of proving otherwise. I thought it unlikely to be that that was an issue anyway. I didnt think to ask in what way it had been 'updated' but as mentioned before I think that is just dealer talk to make it look like they have done something. I have picked up a cheap cluster for a fiver off eBay so will give that a play when it arrives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianRetro Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 If it works OK, if you can send me both clusters and the new one has the M35080 chip - what year is it? - I can code the VIN and ZCS coding for you, FOC. If you need the mileage done, or it's not the M35080, it's a bit of work. Tamworthbay 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted August 25, 2017 Author Share Posted August 25, 2017 If it works OK, if you can send me both clusters and the new one has the M35080 chip - what year is it? - I can code the VIN and ZCS coding for you, FOC. If you need the mileage done, or it's not the M35080, it's a bit of work.It's a 2001, I took a chance on the one I bought as there was very little info on it but it was so cheap I thought it was worth a punt. It was just described as from a 316i so I think it should be a pre facelift type so hopefully the same. And thanks for the offer I will see how it gets and and give you a shout if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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