X5 35d getting "Engine Malfunction" message

SoCal_M3 · #1 02-08-2011, 01:00 AM

I'm having an issue with my 2010 X5 35d. On Thursday last week while my wife was driving the car, it delivered an "Engine Malfunction" message and the car went into "limp" mode where it could only reach 50 mph or so. We dropped it in for service and got the car back on Saturday.

On Saturday night, the car had the same thing happened. Dropped the car off again but hasn't been looked at yet.

When dropped off, the service person mentioned they've seen a few 35d's with this issue. Anyone out there getting the same issue?

ad78 · #2 02-08-2011, 01:07 AM

my friend had one and he had experience the same thing..

ard · #3 02-08-2011, 03:35 AM

WHAT SAME THING?!?!??

How can people talk about cars and symptoms without a shred of info on hard information? Codes, what the dealer did or did not do.

read the paperwork they give you, there is at least something on that about what the problem was....

ad78 · #4 02-08-2011, 07:29 AM

ard- it's not mine. AFAIK, he told me the problem was the software and no mechanical fault. He had the same problem with the OP. Engine light then limp mode

ard · #5 02-08-2011, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ad78

He had the same problem with the OP. Engine light then limp mode

"engine light then limp mode" IS NOT A 'PROBLEM'...

the 'problem' is what went wrong to cause the engine light and the limp mode!

To be correct, you say "I had the same symptom."

There are, perhaps, 20 different "problems" that can trip a CEL + Limp mode.

A

Diesel Guy · #6 02-08-2011, 07:58 AM

I had this once, for about 15 minutes......just after I tried to get over 600 miles on a tank of fuel......in the middle of a snow storm and with winter fuel.......it eventually cleared itslfmwith no other issues......

Leeman · #7 02-08-2011, 10:38 AM

Isn't this great ? I've had similar problems, and the dealer could not find a problem (code was a "communication error"). Again, I've noticed these incidents are from regular forum users and not people joining just to complain. This is not a good thing.

-- Lee
2011 X5 X35d Sapphire Black

GoVols! · #8 02-08-2011, 11:04 AM

I had the same exact problem. Dealer replaced a bad fuel pump. I have heard of several others with the same problem and fix.

It could also be bad fuel or an air bubble somehow getting into the fuel line.

SoCal_M3 · #9 02-09-2011, 01:06 AM

Got a call back from the dealer. The car was no longer in "limp" mode, couldn't be replicated and hadn't thrown any fault codes. BMW engineers in Munich had them run some tests and send the data back. They've instructed the dealer to replace the Low Pressure Exhaust Recirculation Actuator. The part has to come from Germany so I won't have the car back until Monday to confirm it worked. I'll keep everyone posted.

Penguin · #10 03-27-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal_M3

hadn't thrown any fault codes.

It amazes me that the computer can know enough to put the engine in
Limp" mode and display a message that it is in "limp mode" on the idrive, but apparently cannot record a code that says it did this.

I think BMW needs to fire a few programmers, or hire a new third-party to do their software.

P.S. Does it surprise anyone else that the BMW software apparently cannot store a code indicating that it put the engine into "Limp" mode; however, it can record the last few dozen "short trips," so that BMW can deny a battery replacement claim?