CEL Hell
 

Hey guys,

I have had persistent problems with my CEL on my 2010 x5 35d. It seems to come on all the time. Since I got the car last December the light was going on and off. I took the car for service in August and they diagnosed an exhaust pressure sensor failure. However after this the light came on intermittently. I brought the car back to service in December. At that time they determined that the coding in DSC and VTG was incorrect. This is what the service reciept says:
coding in DSC and VTG incorrect. Performed Short test. Multiple coding faults stored. Ran test B2460 GSEGS L4. Coding necessary. GW 122642519 DIAG D2460 AZ6TU000 90 201 Steering column calibration B3243
calibrated camera AS6653 TRSVE7X

When I went to pick the car up after the above service the CEL was on. I didnt even make it into drive. So I left the car and then they said that there was a failure of the exhaust differential pressure sensor. I think is what they replaced the first time. Well 2 days ago the light came on again.

Anyone have any idea of what is going on? Any idea on how to fix it?

Its really driving me crazy and I am starting to feel like I am back in my old A4 where my service advisor knew me personally because I was there so often.

Two words: Lemon law. Look up the laws for your state, but generally if the same components fail multiple times (3-4x) within a year to 18 months, your vehicle is deemed a lemon.

1. It sounds like you have a bad BMW Technician working on your car. Having said that, it should NOT be your responsibility. Just saying. Too often they read codes and replace parts, and do not understand the underlying issues.

2. You MUST get a list of ever code that is thrown. The dealer is most likely documenting part of what they find and doing so in a way that protects BMW. Lemon laws require the same fault/problem to happen (say) 3 times...but if the paperwork has different issues listed, you will not be able to prove it. "The CEL came on" is NOT THE FAILURE. 3 cels is not a lemon.

3. Did you have the intake are temp sensor recall done?

have the dealer open a PUMA case and get the regional tech involved.

but you have to jump through hoops, hire a lawyer, etc. It's not as easy as it sounds and it's a time suck having gone through 3 lemon law/buy backs.

Agreed.

I'll expand on something....

I had an issue that was taking a long time to resolve. Once it started to drag out I made *sure* that BMW was aware this could turn into a lemon/buyback.... (I really had no intention of doing that, based on what it was, but wanted them to pay attention)


Back to the OP- Have you notified BMWNA?

So, you say, BMW was surely "aware" of it, since it is at a BMW dealer, right?

Wrong. Or not necessarily.

The BMW dealer in Portland is NOT BMWNA. In actual fact BMWNA may be totally unaware of your issue or problems or delays! Once they are aware of this, THEY will push the dealer. Too many times bad dealers and bad techs create situations where BMWNA gets caught holding the bag at the end of the process.

Call consumer relations on Monday, demand that the Regional Rep calls you.

A

absolutely. The thing that people often have a misconception of is the dealers and BMWNA are one. They are not.

The dealers are essentially resellers and they often don't really care in a buyback situation because BMWNA are the people that actually buys your car back (they cut the check)

Like ARD said it's good to let them know and put pressure on them but you need to also leverage BMWNA customer relations to have both sides pressured. It is a lot easier if the dealer is on your side and advocate your case to BMWNA and vice versa.

I did have the temp sensor recall performed when it was in for service in August. I did lemon law a car in Georgia in the early 90s. It was a Chrysler and was very easy no lawyers involved. Anyway thanks for the advice. I will call BMWNA tomorrow and see if this can be fixed.

I will also add that this knowledge can help out with your SA relationship in the future- if you know that BMWNA is the one controlling the issue, be it a repair or a request for goodwill, you might not beat up on the SA if he is having difficulty. Or if there are delays with getting a PUMA case resolved, it isn't the dealers fault.... so beating them up, threatening, etc, just demotivates the SA.

If the SA knows that YOU know the drill- that if THEY do their job quickly, fairly, properly, THEY will be treated well, they will be more likely to help you. This also means they are more likely to go to bat for you against BMWNA if needed....

Just rambling thoughts

A

Verytrue!

When I had my 2007 E70 3.0si, and BMWNA bought it back, I was so kind and appreciative to my Service Advisor and the Service Manager during the ENTIRE dispute process. They told me they defended me, when BMWNA wasn't so keen on doing the buy back. The dealership really had my back, and they even told me that most people are royal a**holes, and they have no desire to help them, especially with Buybacks. They told me, they were happy to go to bat for me since I was always so calm adn appreciative. NO matter how frustrated, mad or even how right you are...You will ALWAYS catch bees with honey, not vinegar!!