Need Help with Glow Plug Control Module
 

Need suggestions, searched forum no answers.

Getting 4A4E glow plug error code on my 2011 X5 35D (130,000 miles)
Hard start in cold weather
Once it starts runs rough until warmed up then runs fine.

Replaced glow plug control module
Replaced all 6 glow plugs
Replaced battery

Problem persists…every frustrating. :banghead:

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

its possible to get a faulty replacement module

Yes, thought of that, this is the second module in 90 days...

Have you monitored your coolant temp? Some people claim a bad thermostat will cause the glow plugs to burn out. You want to be above 88C.

I plan to next week, in fact just finished reading through sgrice excellent DIY post on replacing the thermostat and am sure a new thermostat and water pump are in my X5's future. But that fact that I replace all the glow plugs and control module and had the same problems right away suggests another problem. Possibly, I have a problem with the wiring between the glow plugs and the control module. Have done a search and cannot find anyone else who has had the same issue...

Do you have the schematics?

Have you checked the wiring, voltages, signals???

Www.Newtis.info

Thanks ard I have looked on Www.Newtis.info but have not found anything specific on the wiring between glow plug control module and glow plugs, plan to dig around some more on the site today and see if I can find any helpful info.

I just went through replacing my thermostat, all my plugs, and the module @ 142,000 miles. Fortunately I didn't have a problem afterwards.

Can you communicate with the module via software? It's a long shot, but the connections are a bear to get to if you left the coolant pipe in place and at least one member had a problem with a loose connection on the module causing a recurring code after replacement of the module. You've done it twice now... so not a very high likely-hood the 2 connections are a problem, but thought I'd mention it.

I just replace module and plugs - now dont have communication with module- shop foreman said sometimes the pins in the plug push out when reconnecting- now have to remove module to see- Sucks

^It's probably not the pins but the harness itself. It is extremely irritating to get them to clip in. And if they don't fully seat... it seems communication is lost and of course errors get thrown.

Took it all apart- found the large pin plug wasnt fully connected - what a pain in the A** All good now

At least it was a "free" fix. I was extremely paranoid about this exact thing when I did my wife's diesel. She actually helped a ton with her tiny hands.

Can’t access E70 glow plug module
 

Hi, how did you actually get your glow plug module out? I have the manifold removed, but the module looks impossible to get to. Are there special tools or ticks to get it out (and the new one in)? been trying for hours without success!.

Many thanks

I removed the big coolant pipe that feeds the block, but others have done it without having to do that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXGnK8UVTF0

I dealt with much pain (and scratches). Plus my wife came in to save the day with her small hands after I had been trying for about 20 minutes.

Removing the manifold and other parts for access was easy. Removing the coolant pipe like blue dragon would make it a breeze... but I wanted to try it the lazy way first so as to avoid opening the cooling system.

Wow. I don't think I would have been able to accomplish that in 10 hours, let alone 7 minutes. Though he just removed the old one, didn't install the new one in that time. But the wire harnesses on ours were so tight and hard to remove I could not imagine it coming off that easily with the limited access.

Mounting location on the 335d is slightly different

Did not know that, thanks

When I did mine, it came out towards the back of the engine. I got it halfway out then un plugged the connectors by breaking the tabs on the old module. It is a mess and difficult to get out between all the wires and hoses, but no coolant pipes removed! Putting the new one in was not too bad. I hear a lot of issues with new modules not working properly. I got lucky there.


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I replaced my glow plug module without removing the coolant pipe. Removing the two bolts was easy. But detaching the wiring was a PITA. With the bolts removed, you can re-position the module to allow easier access to the wiring without any special tools.

Edit: I had the most trouble with the round power connector. I used a small screwdriver between the connector and the module to flex the round barrel so that it was oval shape to get it over the two tabs. IIRC I also removed several cable hold downs to let me pull the unit up to where I could get my hand under it.

Have a similar problem, P0673 (2012 with 100K miles), replaced all 6 plugs, still P0673, replaced the control module (I did remove the coolant pipe) and the code went away for 3 weeks and then came back.
Now what? No code for 3 weeks means that the controller was most likely the culprit but how likely is it that a new controller (genuine BMW from getBMWparts.com) goes bad within 3 weeks?

It finally got warm enough to take my car back apart to check the wiring on the control unit and found a small amount of dirt in the connector, cleaned it out and now everything works.
I was never able to clear the faults. It is hard to believe that the control unit would fail that quickly.

FWIW I used the free OBD Car Doctor app to clear the faults after replacing 6 glow plugs and the control module. The faults would not clear when the "key" had been inserted or after the engine was running. To clear the codes, I had to insert the key and press the start button without pressing on the brake.

Funf Dreisig

great advice to replace module

https://youtu.be/dXGnK8UVTF0