Here's a new one...
 

Here's another problem to add to our diesel's growing list. While driving with a few friends, our X5 gets a, "Engine Malfunction - Reduced Power," message. We just got done climbing a steep road, and turned onto a smaller hill when the message popped up. The engine did drop a few revs but didn't die or sputter. By the top of the hill, the message disappeared and I had get off, but it did seem fine then. I did notice a burnt smell that was the same as this morning, and I saw some smoke in front of the diesel this morning when it started up.

I wonder if this is contributing to our stalling issue too. :dunno:

I had a similar experience when I only had about 300 miles on mine. The dealer could not find anything. They suspected a misfire or fuel quality issue. I was on my first half tank refill. I switched to Shell Diesel and no issues since (~3000 miles.) I did not see or smell smoke. Let us know what the dealer finds. Good luck.

If it was cold then smoke on starting (from the middle of the car) may be from the fuel burning heater.

Smell / slight loss of power could be the particulate filter being burnt off.

It's happened to me twice.............before I could figure out what was going on, the light went away........all within 5-6 seconds each time............

Me too, about 1200 miles, 80 mph on highway, 5 seconds, then gone. No noticeable power change. Called dealer and was told it was probably a "computer glitch" and to bring it in only if it recurs.

Doesn't anyone :rtfm: anymore?:rolleyes:

Try page 139 of the 2009 X5 manual under the heading "Diesel Particulate Filter".

Funf Dreisig

I said it first, I said it first, :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :bustingup

Happened to me on Christmas Eve!

It was fixed though - read my thread:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...same-time.html

:)
Ok but reading that manual is a torture! Requirng much interpretation on top of it's poor English translation.

But why would it trigger an engine warning if it's a routine operation. The manual doesn't say it could cause a warning or fault.

Read my thread - had that warning and the vehicle was flat bed towed to the dealerand repaired. It has been fine ever since.

I only said it could be the particulate filter burning off symtoms of which are burning smell and slight temporay loss of power.

Not sure you should see a warning light.

"Engine Malfunction - Reduced Power," can indicate dozens of different problems.

Smoke on starting in the morning from centre of the vehicle is almost certainly the fuel burning heater if the ambient temp is 5C or less.

:iagree:
But I think this thread may be mixing two different issues. The normal diesel particulate burn off which the manual says can produce lower performance/smoke and the possibly more serious "Engine Malfunction - Reduced Power," message which may be due to a number of things, including a low pressure fuel pump malfunction.

Funf Dreisig

Well, I did read that section on the diesel particulate filter and the symptoms were the same. The Engine Malfunction message wasn't part of that little excerpt, so I'm hoping there is something underlying that will get fixed. Will report back on what the dealer does when it goes in on Monday. I just hope the message is stored in the car computer, as I can't find it in Check Control anymore.

As others have said, there are a lot of things that can trigger that warning, but, FWIW, I seem to recall a post or two which indicated they got that message a few times prior to fuel pump failure.

Well, it is now at the dealership but they do not know what the problem is. We've had our X5 for ~100 days, yet it has been in the shop for 15 (and counting...) days. I've grown to like the E90 loaners way more than our X5 now.

Mine did the same thing right before the fuel pump failed.

The normal emission procedures do not produce warnings.
Most U.S. dealers don't have a clue when it comes to diesels.

I had the same warning within first 200 miles. It happened when I was passing someone and the RPM went over 3500, so I figured it was just warning me to keep it below 3500 RPM for the first 1200 miles. It hasn't happened since, I am now well passed the 1200 miles and I have rev the engine near red line a couple of times.