Never-ending EML/limp mode problems

[Norocehcap]

I must admit I didn't read every word of every post so I don't know what all has been said in here. I can tell you I've been chasing this same problem for 2 years now on my tracked M3. I finally reached out to a fellow instructor who's an engineer about some suspension problems I'm having and just happened to mention my EML problem. For me it mostly happens when I'm in traffic and not fully getting after it. I've changed tps twice and the pedal once. He informed me that the first 20% of throttle on an s54 is controlled by the icv....... I don't know if this will fix my problem but it just arrived from fcp euro and I'll be installing it today. My next track event is BMW O'Fest at Road America October 10th. I will report back

I cleaned mine and made sure it wasn't gummed up, I did it while changing some other parts so I'm not sure if it made a difference or not. Keep us posted!

[Wernd]

Mine looked OK but the damper inside of it was shot. You could shake it and the inside would just bounce back and fourth until it finally settled to a stop. The new one would bounce one way then the other and stop. We also found the evap valve was leaking so the car is torn apart just sitting until the part arrives. Hopefully I'll have an update next weekend.

[heinzboehmer]

Mine looked OK but the damper inside of it was shot. You could shake it and the inside would just bounce back and fourth until it finally settled to a stop. The new one would bounce one way then the other and stop. We also found the evap valve was leaking so the car is torn apart just sitting until the part arrives. Hopefully I'll have an update next weekend.

Wait, there's a damper inside? I wonder if that contributes to the jerkiness when transitioning from full engine breaking to ICV on decel.

[Wernd]

Wait, there's a damper inside? I wonder if that contributes to the jerkiness when transitioning from full engine breaking to ICV on decel.

I don't know, I just know the old one bounces back and fourth like it's a a car with a blown strut and the new one doesn't.

[Norocehcap]

I have a video of after I cleaned mine I just went back and referenced, if I shake it back and forth as soon as I stop shaking it it stops so I am assuming it's good. I'm glad I took that video because I didn't really know if it was supposed to keep moving or not once you stop shaking it. Good information, thanks.

https://youtube.com/shorts/KRFkBfYoaME?si=D2IlQCJvYbnOvWPo

[1000hp]

Oil don’t conduct current so I don’t think it’s the cause of the problem.

Pure oil doesn't, but there are a lot of other things in it that absolutely do conduct current.
Check your blackstone report for a full list.

[bigjae46]

I have a video of after I cleaned mine I just went back and referenced, if I shake it back and forth as soon as I stop shaking it it stops so I am assuming it's good. I'm glad I took that video because I didn't really know if it was supposed to keep moving or not once you stop shaking it. Good information, thanks.

https://youtube.com/shorts/KRFkBfYoa...IlQCJvYbnOvWPo

Cleaning the ICV doesn't do much. There is a bunch of oil and grime inside of the body that you'll never get out. Probably better just to leave it alone.

[332]

I only get these codes under load, WOT while moving. I can rev it to 8800 sitting, not that I ever do.. no issues. Good info coming in on this topic!

[sapote]

Pure oil doesn't, but there are a lot of other things in it that absolutely do conduct current.
Check your blackstone report for a full list.

I had measured the resistance of used dirty oil from daily 325i changed oil one per year: with the DVM probes 1mm apart in the oil, it's INFINITY opened circuit.

[sapote]

Wait, there's a damper inside? I wonder if that contributes to the jerkiness when transitioning from full engine breaking to ICV on decel.

I don't think there is a damper inside, but maybe his old unit with dry grease or washed out in the bearings lets the rotor oscillating longer, while a new unit with greased bearings damped down quicker. The difference should not cause the problem as the rotor is positioned based on the stator wiring current, not a loose or damped bearings.

[1000hp]

I had measured the resistance of used dirty oil from daily 325i changed oil one per year: with the DVM probes 1mm apart in the oil, it's INFINITY opened circuit.

Interesting. On the car I dealt with, cleaning the oil out of the harness and DME connector, with zero other changes, ended all of the faults and EML/limp mode that had been happening for months prior to that. None of the connectors had been touched prior, and nothing was loose when removed.

[sapote]

Interesting. On the car I dealt with, cleaning the oil out of the harness and DME connector, with zero other changes, ended all of the faults and EML/limp mode that had been happening for months prior to that. None of the connectors had been touched prior, and nothing was loose when removed.

Just unplug and plug back the connector could do a self cleaning on the pins then gave you the good result. I doubt the oil have anything to do with this.
In automatic tranny boxes, many sensors and connectors are submerged in the dirty oil and fine.

[1000hp]

Just unplug and plug back the connector could do a self cleaning on the pins then gave you the good result. I doubt the oil have anything to do with this.
In automatic tranny boxes, many sensors and connectors are submerged in the dirty oil and fine.

Tried that first. No change. Cleaned everything out with electronics cleanet and blew it dry...problem solved. There may have been coolant in there as well, since at least one coolant temp sensor shared the ground with that bundle. But the fluid(s) were 100% the cause in this case.

[sapote]

Water in coolant could the the conductor that caused it, not engine oil.

[Wernd]

So initial signs are GOOD! After replacing the ICV and making the 30 minute drive home no light came on. I also had to replace the gas tank vent valve for an unrelated issue. The car will really see some heavy duty in a few weeks at Road America for O'Fest, that's when I'll have a really good idea if the icv was the problem