2001 X5 3.0i with Peak Code: 19EEEFE3E4

[spngr311]

Hey everyone, my wife's 2001 X5 3.0i with 90k on it is being very difficult.

First a little history: A few months ago, her X5 started giving us problems. It was the cam position sensors and it worked well for a month or so. Then, about a month ago, her car just died on her on the way to the store. The fuel pressure was low, and I replaced the fuel filter and the fuel pump. Problem appeared solved. She put about 600 miles on it over the next few weeks with no problems.

Then on Friday, it died on her, again. I replaced the spark plugs and cylinder #1 coil. Started up, idled, but then on it's test drive around the block, once the engine reached its normal operating temperature, it died on me. Pushed it home, and read the codes again. This time, it gave the following codes (from the Peak R5/FCX-3):

19: Table
EE: Misfire Cylinder #1
EF: Misfire Cylinder #2
E3: O2 Sensor Adaption Limit, Cylinder #1-3
E4: O2 Sensor Adaption Limit, Cylinder #4-6
19: PreCat O2 Sensor Heater Insufficient, Cylinder #1-3

I changed the pre-cat O2 sensors. It started, idled, but I didn't drive it this time (spent the weekend moving too). After it reached its operating temperature, it stumbled, and died. It gave me the following codes:

19: Table
EE: Misfire Cylinder #1
EF: Misfire Cylinder #2
E3: O2 Sensor Adaption Limit, Cylinder #1-3
E4: O2 Sensor Adaption Limit, Cylinder #4-6

What am I missing? What can I test/check? I am stumped. I reset the codes with the Peak Scanner, but they still come back after it dies. Unfortunately, the codes do not show up on any other scanner, just the Peak one.

[spngr311]

Bump.

[spngr311]

Okay, so tonight was just as puzzling. I unplugged the MAF to see if it would start. No change. I looked around for cracks in the intake tube, but did not find anything. I jumped across the Fuel Pump Relay to see if it would start. The pump did run, but whined very loudly. It would crank, but not start.

I checked the fuel pressure, and it said 15 psi. Way too low. I then went down to the gas station, and got 5 gallons of gas to see if maybe the fuel level sensors were faulty. Put 5 gallons in, and ran a jumper for the fuel relay. The pressure went right to 50 psi.

I put the relay back in and started the car and it was at 46 psi. I let the car idle for a while, letting it reach it's operating temperature. As the engine temperature rose, the fuel pressure started dropping and I could hear the car start to stumble, then shake a little. It would level out, but as the car's engine temperature rose, the car started idling rougher and eventually the fuel pressure returned to the 20 psi and the car died. It will crank, but not start now and the pressure is at 15-20 psi.

I replaced the fuel pump and filter/regulator 3 weeks ago. Could either of them be defective?

As an aside, I'm sick of everyone saying my fuel pump is bad because they saw it on the news.

[spngr311]

Anyone have any advice one what could be causing this?

[spngr311]

So, the X5 is still exhibiting the same problem. However, I'm thinking it is somehow still related to the fuel pressure regulator on the fuel filter (even though I replaced it a little after the problem started). I replaced the vacuum lines from the intake elbow to the fuel filter regulator, replaced the transfer pump, and fuel pump. The fuel pressure is still staying at 51 psi when the vehicle is running, but the residual pressure drops very quickly (about 20 psi in 20 minutes). It is supposed to drop no more than 7 in the same period. I'm hoping this is it, but I am not sure. Does anyone have any suggestions or had similar problems?

[gerry_miranda]

I see you are already a member of bimmerforums. try posting in their forced induction section...sharp guys there...anyway on my 97 M3, the FP is at 3.5 bar minus the amount of vacuum your manifold is pulling. This would usually be half bar or so, the final fuel pressure at idle would be around 3 bar..which is still not as low as 20 psi...however, the DME still has some control over the FP via a bypass valve. Im not sure how much pressure the DME can pull, I doubt its enough to get it to 20 PSI, but there might be a defect there. I think its called "running losses". Again...this is ion a 1997...it might be different for the 2001 3 liter.

[spngr311]

Yeah, I've posted this problem there, as well as bimmerfest, the local BMW forum, and even E46fanatics. I'm casting a wide net on this.

The problem is that the pressure is staying at 3.5 bar (51 psi) when the car is running, when it should be at 2.5-3.2 bar (36.3 to 46.4 psi). Unfortunately, the Bentley manual only suggests fixes when the pressure is lower than specified when running and not when it is higher (as in my case).

[killcrap]

what you need to do it get a GT1 or such device that can read faults out of the DSC module. If a fault for torque request is stored, in conjunction with several idle faults. most likely the engine wiring harness is faulty. Basiclly the connection/connector for the idle air valve is faulty. Up to 1200rpms, with the accelerator pedal, the throttle does not move. If the engine stalls, i would suspect the idle air valve or combination engine wiring harness and software update per the published SI about this issue.

[spngr311]

I didn't think of checking the iac, but the car idles perfectly fine. It still may be a good idea for me to get it checked with gt1 though. Any one have any other suggestions?