Strange dealer diagnosis on 335i limp mode

m3power13 · 12-19-2008, 10:19 AM

To me this is odd so I wanted opinions of folks here.

Took the 335 into the dealer because the - Engine malfunction Reduced Power - light came on, car had a little over 1/4 tank of gas when this first happened. Next day car was still throwing limp mode, gas light was not on yet, later in the day still in limp mode the low fuel light came on about a mile from the dealership. Still had 60+ miles left to go.

(HPFP has already been replaced on this car). I figure it is the FP again or plugs/coils causing the issue. No more than an hour after I leave the dealership I get a call that the car is in limp mode because the fuel level was too low. What?? The car was going into limp mode with over 1/4 of a tank, well before low fuel indicator comes in. Tech maintained it was because of low fuel level, filled the car up and limp mode went away. He said if the problem came back further diagnosis would be done at that time.

The code read as "Misfire in cylinder 2 due to low fuel level". I've had many cars and never seen anything like this. The car has 33,000 miles on it and has been down to 1/8th tank many times and never an issue. I'm willing to bet the car is going to go into limp again once I run the fuel back down to 1/4 tank.

Anybody ever heard of this? Something is clearly wrong with the car IMO. Fuel pump, sensor, etc.....

Thoughts?

noro · 12-19-2008, 10:23 AM

Your car has cholesterol... the fuel lines are plugged

Unless there is some kind of obstruction at the fuel pickup point in the tank I can't see how the fuel level can be an issue. The fuel isn't gravity driven into the lines.

EDK99 · 12-19-2008, 10:34 AM

1/4 tank seems a little high to get that. I had the same issue one time just before my fuel light came my car went into limp mode when I flew around a corner and gave it some gas. The low fuel level and going around the kicking the rpms up cause the limp mode according to the dealer. I now fill up at 1/4 tank and don't let it run to much lower then that. Fuel pump has been fine since that incident which was about 4 months ago.

So under what conditions did you go into limp mode? Hard acceleration? Going around a corner?

You car is still under warranty so I would not worry about it unless it happens again with more then 1/4 tank.

GGreek5 · 12-19-2008, 10:42 AM

Most likely the fuel pump again. That was happening to me for a month straight, and eventually I brought it to the dealer. Every time I filled the tank up, it would be fine. Once I got to below half a tank, I would get a limp. HPFP

m3power13 · 12-19-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EK_335i

So under what conditions did you go into limp mode? Hard acceleration? Going around a corner?

Just normal city/highway driving.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GGreek5

Most likely the fuel pump again. That was happening to me for a month straight, and eventually I brought it to the dealer. Every time I filled the tank up, it would be fine. Once I got to below half a tank, I would get a limp. HPFP

My thoughts as well.

m3power13 · 12-19-2008, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noro

Your car has cholesterol... the fuel lines are plugged

Unless there is some kind of obstruction at the fuel pickup point in the tank I can't see how the fuel level can be an issue. The fuel isn't gravity driven into the lines.

My guess is the pump is on its way out. Maybe over half tank allows enough pressure for the FP, but once down to 1/4 the pump is strugguling to keep up since the pump is working harder. Car just thinks the fuel level is low.

David 12 · 12-19-2008, 11:04 AM

I could be wrong but the code may have said misfire in cylinder 2 (P0202) but the mechanic is speculating that the the cause is low fuel (the code reader would not indicate that.)

My guess is a bad spark plug or fuel injector issue. Are you getting long cranks in order to start the engine?

JoeyFiasco · 12-19-2008, 12:37 PM

weird, my wife's been almost empty (down to like 8-10 miles left according to the comp) and everything's fine. it is an 09 though, which should have 3rd general FP right?

O-cha · 12-19-2008, 12:41 PM

I severely doubt the code was misfire in cylinder 2 "due to low fuel level"

That last bit was probably added in by the tech.

Sniz · 12-19-2008, 01:18 PM

thats bs

I've driven my car over 30 miles when the mileage left was '--' and not had a limp.

Tobias1980 · 12-19-2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniz

thats bs

I've driven my car over 30 miles when the mileage left was '--' and not had a limp.

+1 with no problems what so ever!

meyergru · 12-19-2008, 05:03 PM

You all know that there are two fuel pumps in the car, right?

The error described by the OP points to the "first" feeding pump used to get the fuel out of the tank. Although the "second" HPFP, which is employed to pressurize fuel for the direct injection system, has been changed already, the first one may well be broken.

u boat · 12-19-2008, 07:56 PM

The tech is probly just buying time intill some new software comes out to fix the problem. These misfires are really haunting these cars. There trying to blame the ethonol content in the gas or the injectors but its programming..

Terrance28 · 12-19-2008, 08:35 PM

I have ran mines down to 0 miles and some and never got a limp.

m3power13 · 12-19-2008, 08:37 PM

Yeah, I called BS on the "due to low fuel" ("Misfire in cylinder 2 due to low fuel level" is actually what the service sheet said) thing as well. The tech and I had a spirited chat about that

Car starts fine, unlike when the HPFP went out the first time.

Upon first starting it up it would run a tad rough and then clear up.

Basically I was just blown away a BMW tech would suggest a 50k car was going into limp mode because it only had 1/4 of gas.

My conspiracy theory is there is more to the story, the tech knows it, but "protocol" for this issue is tell the dumb BMW owner that fuel injected cars don't run right when the gas light comes on.

This car has also been into the shop twice to have the complete door locking assemblies replaced each time, comfort access wouldn't let me in my car. It's also been in because the electrical system was mysteriously draining batteries, took 2 days to get the part to fix that.

Never had so many problems with a BMW or any car for that matter. But damn, when it is running right it is one of the best I have ever driven.

NinetyEight740 · 12-19-2008, 09:39 PM

actually guys, the faults read by the GT1 will indicate that the low fuel light is on

Sniz · 12-19-2008, 10:46 PM

but do you really think the "low" gas level is the cause of his limp mode? I dont.

emjei · 12-20-2008, 02:22 PM

Ive had the exact same issues here...low gas tank = limp modes

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniz

but do you really think the "low" gas level is the cause of his limp mode? I dont.

O-cha · 12-20-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NinetyEight740

actually guys, the faults read by the GT1 will indicate that the low fuel light is on

And? That's like saying there is a misfire in cylinder two because the tire pressure is low, the gt1 pulls TPMS faults too.

Sniz · 12-20-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjei

Ive had the exact same issues here...low gas tank = limp modes

sorry to hear that, but what I was suggesting is that the low gas is not the true problem. This car should have 0 problems on low gas UNTIL it runs out of gas! I think there is something else causing the problem when the gas is low.

O-cha · 12-20-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniz

sorry to hear that, but what I was suggesting is that the low gas is not the true problem. This car should have 0 problems on low gas UNTIL it runs out of gas! I think there is something else causing the problem when the gas is low.

Low gas can cause limp modes, I'm just skeptical it is in this case.

ianthegreat · 12-21-2008, 03:13 AM

i've run it down to 10 miles and had no problem..

12-19-2008, 10:19 AM	#1
m3power13 Lieutenant 113 Rep 531 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Stripper Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	Strange dealer diagnosis on 335i limp mode To me this is odd so I wanted opinions of folks here. Took the 335 into the dealer because the - Engine malfunction Reduced Power - light came on, car had a little over 1/4 tank of gas when this first happened. Next day car was still throwing limp mode, gas light was not on yet, later in the day still in limp mode the low fuel light came on about a mile from the dealership. Still had 60+ miles left to go. (HPFP has already been replaced on this car). I figure it is the FP again or plugs/coils causing the issue. No more than an hour after I leave the dealership I get a call that the car is in limp mode because the fuel level was too low. What?? The car was going into limp mode with over 1/4 of a tank, well before low fuel indicator comes in. Tech maintained it was because of low fuel level, filled the car up and limp mode went away. He said if the problem came back further diagnosis would be done at that time. The code read as "Misfire in cylinder 2 due to low fuel level". I've had many cars and never seen anything like this. The car has 33,000 miles on it and has been down to 1/8th tank many times and never an issue. I'm willing to bet the car is going to go into limp again once I run the fuel back down to 1/4 tank. Anybody ever heard of this? Something is clearly wrong with the car IMO. Fuel pump, sensor, etc..... Thoughts? __________________ E92 M3 - Alpine White - Carbon Roof - 6 SPD - Speed Cloth - No NAV/EDC - Meisterschaft - Signature Forged
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12-19-2008, 10:23 AM	#2
noro Colonel 90 Rep 2,707 Posts Drives: '91 M3, '04 E46 ZHP, '72 2002 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Your car has cholesterol... the fuel lines are plugged Unless there is some kind of obstruction at the fuel pickup point in the tank I can't see how the fuel level can be an issue. The fuel isn't gravity driven into the lines. __________________ zhpregistry.net - ZHP stats and free classifieds.
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12-19-2008, 10:34 AM	#3
EDK99 Captain 33 Rep 934 Posts Drives: 07 E85 M Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	1/4 tank seems a little high to get that. I had the same issue one time just before my fuel light came my car went into limp mode when I flew around a corner and gave it some gas. The low fuel level and going around the kicking the rpms up cause the limp mode according to the dealer. I now fill up at 1/4 tank and don't let it run to much lower then that. Fuel pump has been fine since that incident which was about 4 months ago. So under what conditions did you go into limp mode? Hard acceleration? Going around a corner? You car is still under warranty so I would not worry about it unless it happens again with more then 1/4 tank. __________________ 2007 e85 Imola Red \| Black Leather \| Carbon Leather Trim \| Premium \| Navigation \| Heated Seats
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12-19-2008, 10:42 AM	#4
GGreek5 Olimpiakos 93 Rep 1,426 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Mass iTrader: (10)	Most likely the fuel pump again. That was happening to me for a month straight, and eventually I brought it to the dealer. Every time I filled the tank up, it would be fine. Once I got to below half a tank, I would get a limp. HPFP
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12-19-2008, 11:04 AM	#7
David 12 Major 115 Rep 1,048 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X5 50i BSM, M Sport Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Omaha iTrader: (0)	I could be wrong but the code may have said misfire in cylinder 2 (P0202) but the mechanic is speculating that the the cause is low fuel (the code reader would not indicate that.) My guess is a bad spark plug or fuel injector issue. Are you getting long cranks in order to start the engine?
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12-19-2008, 12:37 PM	#8
JoeyFiasco Major 26 Rep 1,211 Posts Drives: '09 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: P'boro, UK iTrader: (0)	weird, my wife's been almost empty (down to like 8-10 miles left according to the comp) and everything's fine. it is an 09 though, which should have 3rd general FP right?
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12-19-2008, 12:41 PM	#9
O-cha Brigadier General 230 Rep 4,726 Posts Drives: Mcoupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: In front of you iTrader: (2)	I severely doubt the code was misfire in cylinder 2 "due to low fuel level" That last bit was probably added in by the tech. __________________
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12-19-2008, 01:18 PM	#10
Sniz Lieutenant General 680 Rep 10,584 Posts Drives: e92 335 - gone // e36 M3 turbo Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (1)	thats bs I've driven my car over 30 miles when the mileage left was '--' and not had a limp. __________________
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12-19-2008, 05:03 PM	#12
meyergru No military grade 59 Rep 620 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Munich, Germany iTrader: (0)	You all know that there are two fuel pumps in the car, right? The error described by the OP points to the "first" feeding pump used to get the fuel out of the tank. Although the "second" HPFP, which is employed to pressurize fuel for the direct injection system, has been changed already, the first one may well be broken.
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12-19-2008, 07:56 PM	#13
u boat Registered 2 Rep 4 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: south florida iTrader: (0)	The tech is probly just buying time intill some new software comes out to fix the problem. These misfires are really haunting these cars. There trying to blame the ethonol content in the gas or the injectors but its programming..
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12-19-2008, 08:35 PM	#14
Terrance28 Brigadier General 114 Rep 3,334 Posts Drives: Crimson Red E92 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Killeen, TX iTrader: (17)	I have ran mines down to 0 miles and some and never got a limp. __________________ Mods list got too long, lets just say more than enough.
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12-19-2008, 08:37 PM	#15
m3power13 Lieutenant 113 Rep 531 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Stripper Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	Yeah, I called BS on the "due to low fuel" ("Misfire in cylinder 2 due to low fuel level" is actually what the service sheet said) thing as well. The tech and I had a spirited chat about that Car starts fine, unlike when the HPFP went out the first time. Upon first starting it up it would run a tad rough and then clear up. Basically I was just blown away a BMW tech would suggest a 50k car was going into limp mode because it only had 1/4 of gas. My conspiracy theory is there is more to the story, the tech knows it, but "protocol" for this issue is tell the dumb BMW owner that fuel injected cars don't run right when the gas light comes on. This car has also been into the shop twice to have the complete door locking assemblies replaced each time, comfort access wouldn't let me in my car. It's also been in because the electrical system was mysteriously draining batteries, took 2 days to get the part to fix that. Never had so many problems with a BMW or any car for that matter. But damn, when it is running right it is one of the best I have ever driven. __________________ E92 M3 - Alpine White - Carbon Roof - 6 SPD - Speed Cloth - No NAV/EDC - Meisterschaft - Signature Forged
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12-19-2008, 09:39 PM	#16
NinetyEight740 Major General 235 Rep 5,691 Posts Drives: 2 - 2013 535i msport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Orange County California iTrader: (2) Garage List 2010 E91 [0.00]	actually guys, the faults read by the GT1 will indicate that the low fuel light is on
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12-19-2008, 10:46 PM	#17
Sniz Lieutenant General 680 Rep 10,584 Posts Drives: e92 335 - gone // e36 M3 turbo Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (1)	but do you really think the "low" gas level is the cause of his limp mode? I dont. __________________
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12-21-2008, 03:13 AM	#22
ianthegreat Colonel 63 Rep 2,314 Posts Drives: n54 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pittsburgh/Houston iTrader: (1)	i've run it down to 10 miles and had no problem..
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