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I have just brought a BMW.

Tiny
1J1O1N1O1
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 BMW 320I
  • 45,000 MILES
Hi,

i have just brought a bmw 320i coupe, it had been running fine for about a week but yesterday whilst parked at a set of lights the car began to shudder and the gear knob wobbled quite violently. I also noticed that the stop start tech had stopped working. In minutes the engine management light came on in yellow and whilst driving further down the road the car entered limp mode.

I have called bmw and they have said that there is a recall on this model due to the ignition coil failure and this will be done free of charge for me next week.

I wanted to know whether a problem with the coils would cause this kind of reaction from the car and whether having the coils changed would fix the car.

I would also like to know whether use of the car in this state would damage the car?

any help would be greatly appreciated

Jonathan
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Thursday, October 25th, 2012 AT 11:14 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Since there is a recall, the BMW technicians should have encountered tons of such problems and they should be able to resolve the problem for you.

However though the symptom could be similar to the recall, there could be other possibilities as well and the engine management light coming on means an error has been detected. A scan might tell you what circuit of the engine management is causing the problem. Once in limp mode, turn the engine off and restart to see if it clears. Driving in limp mode is not encouraged as you don't have much control of the performance.
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Thursday, October 25th, 2012 AT 12:40 PM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
If satisfaction is found with what the BMW shop does, please repost and let us know, thank you.
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Thursday, October 25th, 2012 AT 2:04 PM
Tiny
1J1O1N1O1
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks for the reply guys and I will post immediately on wednesday, I did have a diagnostics check done yesterday and the error code that came up read p113b and p0597 now neither of these would cause the car to enter limp mode as p0597 is the thermostat but the mechanic that looked at the car whilst diagnosing it did say a misfire was happening. So I guess what i'm trying to ask you is. Would a problem with the ignition coil cause these symptoms? As I don't feel it has been answered in the first reply.

Again thank you for any help/ advice

Jonathan
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Thursday, October 25th, 2012 AT 2:37 PM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
The coils are a source of what you are experiencing. Replacement of the coils will most likely cure this issue. Driving the car in this condition will most likely not cause trouble, but as my learned associate points out, you will have a loss of control over the engines performance. I find it somewhat interesting BMW is making you wait till next week to replace coils, whats up with that?
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Thursday, October 25th, 2012 AT 2:43 PM
Tiny
1J1O1N1O1
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you for your quick response Dr Hagerty, I have just got off with Sytner they have booked me in for tomorrow. They had originally booked me in for a waiting appointment which I had not asked for I asked for the soonest appointment so they are having the car tomorrow. I will keep you guys updated on the outcome.

Thank you

Jonathan
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Thursday, October 25th, 2012 AT 3:32 PM
Tiny
1J1O1N1O1
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Right so I called bmw and they have now booked me in tomorrow however I just started my car up for a few seconds as I have not used it today and the whole car is going mad the engine warning light has came on half filled with yellow.

I am extremely worried at this point as it seems nearly un-drivable would the coils really cause all these problems?

Jonathan
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Thursday, October 25th, 2012 AT 5:24 PM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
Lets let the BMW shop take it from here.
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Thursday, October 25th, 2012 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
1J1O1N1O1
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
So just a quick update

i took my car into BMW whom replaced the coil packs, after a brief call they informed me that this was unsuccessful and the coil pack enhancement had not fixed the problem. They then ran diagnostics which cost  90.00 and informed me that a fuel injector had gone. They replaced this for  200 and the car runs fine again.

So thank you for all your replies.

Jonathan
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Wednesday, October 31st, 2012 AT 9:59 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
You're welcome.
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Wednesday, October 31st, 2012 AT 10:12 AM

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