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2003 BMW M3 Repair Question


Topics covered: Mechanic, Dealer, Fuel pump.
Mileage: 98,000 miles.

Asked on January 23, 2013

BMW M3 Mechanic Problem

Problem: I have 2033 M3; the engine is sputtering/attempts to "choke" as in a cylinder or two are misfiring. The "Check engine light" comes on after a while and sometime it goes off because the problem happens intermittently. The first attempt to repair it was by the BMW dealer, and the say it was coil #5, which they replaced. After 200 miles of running, the same problem returned, so I took it to another mechanic that specializes on German made cars. They said it was the #5 fuel injector (after replacing some of the electrical harness to the spark plugs/coils) they replace the Injector. Two days later, the problem returns and I take back to the same Mechanic/shop. They said it needs replacement of the two fuel pumps - I said are you sure that is the problem? And they said yes- so they replaced the fuel pumps. However, after 150 miles, the same problems returned. The car is at the same shop and being tested; first feedback I get now is the possibility of a cylinder leaking compression, or a defective main ECM/ECU. I have spent $900 at the Dealer and so far over $1800 with the second mechanic. Can you provide your thoughts, recommendations and advice? And how much a rebuild ECM should cost? (Mechanic said they probably can't get a new one since the stop making it after 7 years from the manufacturing today of the car)
Here are the present Faults:
206 Misfire Cyl 2 without Cyl Cutout

208 Misfire Cyl 4 without Cyl Cutout
209 Misfire Cyl 5 without Cyl Cutout
210 Misfire Cyl 6 without Cyl Cutout


213 Misfire Multiple Cylinders without Cyl Cutout
31 Fuel Injector Cyl 5

Avatar Asked by robrosado

Answer

Replied on January 24, 2013

i would look at the other injectors before doing anything. they may need to be professionally cleaned or replaced. they can be tested by a shop.

i would start there

as far as the pcm, it is still available and must be new, not rebuilt.

Roy

Tiny Answered by ASEMaster6371 (expert)
24,789 answers provided
Replied on January 24, 2013

From where can the mechanic order a New ECM (you wrote pcm??). Rplacing 5 fule injectors sounds costly how one knows they need to be replaced? I already paid them $1500 to replace rhe two fuel pumps and it did not fix the problem

Tiny Response from robrosado
2 questions asked
Replied on January 24, 2013

Hello?! Anybody home?

Tiny Response from robrosado
2 questions asked

Replied on February 4, 2013

A replacement brain? Not for that car unless you get it through the dealer and pay lots

Tiny Answered by Dr. Hagerty (expert)
9,669 answers provided