Never-ending EML/limp mode problems

[1000hp]

I chased EML issues on a non-M e46. The issue with this car ended up being oil leaking back through the oil pressure switch, traveling inside the wiring insulation like a straw, and pooling inside the connector at the DME.
When I disconnected the other connectors to inspect, I found other connectors with fluid inside them (coolant) from another, unrelated leaking sensor (one of the coolant temp sensors).

If you haven't already, I recommend inspecting every connector either directly related to, or adjacent to, the wiring associated with the fault codes you're getting.

[Norocehcap]

I chased EML issues on a non-M e46. The issue with this car ended up being oil leaking back through the oil pressure switch, traveling inside the wiring insulation like a straw, and pooling inside the connector at the DME.
When I disconnected the other connectors to inspect, I found other connectors with fluid inside them (coolant) from another, unrelated leaking sensor (one of the coolant temp sensors).

If you haven't already, I recommend inspecting every connector either directly related to, or adjacent to, the wiring associated with the fault codes you're getting.

Thank you for this info, I have checked some connectors but I think next time it rains I need to inspect every connector I have access too. Maybe I should soak the car with a hose and check cause I see no rain on the forecast.

[Norocehcap]

I wanted to give a quick update tonight for everyone because I have been getting suggestions from people and for that I thank you! I did the throttle calibration using INPA that sapote suggested instead of doing the key on, hold pedal for 10 sec pedal method that I have done in the past. Let me tell you currently the throttle is superrrrrrrr smooth, no feeling of missing or dead spots and my idle is rock solid. I am not sure the other method ever worked because I don't remember ever feeling this kind of difference after doing the calibration, I am assuming it was user error on my behalf and I was doing it wrong but with INPA there is no guessing if it worked or not since it's a click of a button. I am assuming after replacing tons of parts over the last year and not doing a correct throttle calibration the car was getting all confused. The part that I felt made the biggest improvement was the throttle actuator, I have read they rarely go bad compared to the TPS when it comes to the EML & TPS codes, but I did take my old one apart to see if anything was broken and it looked fine, this was before they were $1800, I feel like an idiot now for throwing it away but I got my Pierberg for $580 last December so I didn't pay a crazy price for it anyway, live and learn at least now I have a brand new one in the car.

I also made a bonehead move and forgot the car had an H5 battery instead of H7 since I was trying to save weight, this car is a toy not a daily. I don't know if that could cause the specific issues I was having but maybe a lot of small issues caused 1 big issue. I do remember that as batteries start to die in my e46's I have had 3 non M and 1 M they tend to start to act a little weird. I put the H7 battery from my 330CI in the M to rule out any variables before i did the calibration using INPA.

Now do I think the car is 100% fixed, honestly I don't think so because I have thought I fixed this problem 5 different times already and had that euphoric feeling only to be crushed when that EML returns at random, but the car feels rock solid at the moment. I drove the car for 1 hour and really beat on it and it stayed rock solid so there is hope. The next thing I would like to do is cold start the car after a rainy night because that seems cause an EML for some reason even though the I can't really find anything wet under to hood, the forecast has changed to 40% chance of rain tonight so I might get my answer tomorrow morning, fingers crossed. Thanks again everyone.

[BL92]

Maybe a blocked Oil separator Part Number 11157840446



Check my thread, mine was absolutely filled with trash

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/303185-what-s-inside-your-crankcase-vent-valve

[Norocehcap]

Maybe a blocked Oil separator Part Number 11157840446



Check my thread, mine was absolutely filled with trash

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...ase-vent-valve

If this is for code 154, I only get that code using the cloned DME, as soon as I put my original DME back in the code goes away. eacmen is going to tune that out of the cloned DME for me, once I figure out how to extract the bin file he can tune the PCV sucking jet pump out. I kinda wanna clean mine anyway after looking at your thread tho, gross lol. Thanks for the info BL92!

[1000hp]

For a quick test, disconnect all of the DME connectors and inspect for contamination and/or corrosion. If the issue is related to wiring you'll see something in there whether it's raining or not.

[Norocehcap]

For a quick test, disconnect all of the DME connectors and inspect for contamination and/or corrosion. If the issue is related to wiring you'll see something in there whether it's raining or not.

Thanks bud, I have already done that, I even took the DME apart and compared it to my spare DME to see if there was corrosion inside the housing or anything was broken, I have not found anything, I was kinda hoping to find corrosion on the plugs this way I knew where the problem was. Thanks for the suggestion, I appreciate it. I just drove the car this morning for 30 min and it's still driving well. I'm gonna try and drive the car everyday untill I get an EML again, but hopefully not.

[332]

Thanks bud, I have already done that, I even took the DME apart and compared it to my spare DME to see if there was corrosion inside the housing or anything was broken, I have not found anything, I was kinda hoping to find corrosion on the plugs this way I knew where the problem was. Thanks for the suggestion, I appreciate it. I just drove the car this morning for 30 min and it's still driving well. I'm gonna try and drive the car everyday untill I get an EML again, but hopefully not.

Super happy for you, fingers crossed. I hope this ends up being the fix, which codes were you getting again? I want to check yours vs mine, thanks!

[sapote]

H5 instead of H7 battery in good condition don’t cause this kind of problem. They affect cranking in super cold weather.

[Norocehcap]

Super happy for you, fingers crossed. I hope this ends up being the fix, which codes were you getting again? I want to check yours vs mine, thanks!

"120 Throttle Potentiometer Comparison"
"118 Throttle Potentiometer 1"
"119 Throttle valve Potentiometer 2"
"121 Both Throttle Valve Potentiometers"

These are the codes I was getting in INPA

"P1637- throttle valve position control deviation"
"P0121- throttle/pedal position sensor/switch “A” circuit range/performance"
"P0221- throttle/pedal position sensor/switch “B” circuit range/performance."

And these are the codes my schwaben/foxwell BMW scanner was pulling

Fingers crossed, thanks I hope so too!

[Norocehcap]

H5 instead of H7 battery in good condition don’t cause this kind of problem. They affect cranking in super cold weather.

Okay good to know, thanks for that info. I weighted both batteries and the H5 saved 20 lbs.

I'm definitely not a mechanic, just a guy playing with toys lol.

[1000hp]

"120 Throttle Potentiometer Comparison"
"118 Throttle Potentiometer 1"
"119 Throttle valve Potentiometer 2"
"121 Both Throttle Valve Potentiometers"

These are the codes I was getting in INPA

"P1637- throttle valve position control deviation"
"P0121- throttle/pedal position sensor/switch “A” circuit range/performance"
"P0221- throttle/pedal position sensor/switch “B” circuit range/performance."

And these are the codes my schwaben/foxwell BMW scanner was pulling

Fingers crossed, thanks I hope so too!

I had throttle codes in my case also. The wires that were fouled with oil were in a bundle under the intake that shared a common ground. On the 325i, the oil pressure sensor and (I think) vanos solenoid shared a ground with some of the other stuff on that branch of the harness. I believe that's where the oil was spread to the other wires.

[Norocehcap]

I had throttle codes in my case also. The wires that were fouled with oil were in a bundle under the intake that shared a common ground. On the 325i, the oil pressure sensor and (I think) vanos solenoid shared a ground with some of the other stuff on that branch of the harness. I believe that's where the oil was spread to the other wires.

What a nightmare, thinking its TPS since that what the codes say and it turns out to be oil soaked wires and grounds under the intake wow. When/if my 330Ci ever acts up at least ill know where to look after chasing my tail for months lol, glade you figured that out I wouldn't have hah.