EML 35i

[B21]

Was this thread ever solved? I discovered today my e89 35i has a similar symptom to the original post here.

- No issues doing hard driving up to about 5500rpm
- No issues doing lots of higher RPM pulls (but not to redline)
- No cold start issues
- No hot start issues
- No idling issues
- No issues starting the car if it hasn't been driven for 5/10 days.
- Historically has never had an issue doing a full redline pull then changing up a gear i.e. significant rev drop.

- Motorway 2nd gear pull to redline then letting it spin down still in second gear - so revs were high for a long time = EML came on, limp mode activated.
- Coasted to a safe spot, engine idling lumpy, i.e. revving itself from 1000-1500rpm.
- Switched engine off, switched back on again, all fine

- No issues for rest of drive/day.



Car has HPFP replaced and has had injectors done too, but they were probably 5-7 years ago (will check later).

Sounds like an ageing coil breaking down..what does the fault code reader say?

You of course as the owner of a 35i have a decent bmw specific fault code reader?

 

[matsmith749]

Failing HPFP throws codes - decent code reader would be picking that up.

I'm also amazed that a check engine light (even if it disappears) doesn;t show some reason as to why in the code history.

What are you using to scan the car? My mum's poundshop £5 jobbie will not cut it - you need something a little more sophisticated to take the guesswork away.

On a positive note, a decent scanner (circa £100 from Amazon) is cheaper than plugs or coils or HPFP or almost any other guesswork related parts.

 

[tiglon]

I'll put a fiver on coils.

 

[MarshMA10]

Pertinent service history items:

29/07/2020: 'New cylinder 6 coil pack' - £30
12/02/2020: Full service incl. Spark Plugs - £334
23/06/2017: Water pump - £lots
10/12/2016: All injectors and crank sensor - £lots


Scanners:

I have an OBDII scanner called a GoPoint BT1, which transmits to your phone, and I use an app called DashCommand for curiousness monitoring/basics - but this is probably not a top tier system. Does anyone else use this? I will scan the car with it today and see what it says for fault codes stored/historic.

I have access to a friend's top-flight scanner at Xmas time. He is a transport manager so this is a top of the line industry level scanner.

I have had the car scanned by another friend's £1000 handheld mechanic-style OBDII scanner job. No fault codes were present then.

I'm open to the idea of buying a better scanner if it's worthwhile.

 

[B21]

Pertinent service history items:

29/07/2020: 'New cylinder 6 coil pack' - £30
12/02/2020: Full service incl. Spark Plugs - £334
23/06/2017: Water pump - £lots
10/12/2016: All injectors and crank sensor - £lots


Scanners:

I have an OBDII scanner called a GoPoint BT1, which transmits to your phone, and I use an app called DashCommand for curiousness monitoring/basics - but this is probably not a top tier system. Does anyone else use this? I will scan the car with it today and see what it says for fault codes stored/historic.

I have access to a friend's top-flight scanner at Xmas time. He is a transport manager so this is a top of the line industry level scanner.

I have had the car scanned by another friend's £1000 handheld mechanic-style OBDII scanner job. No fault codes were present then.

I'm open to the idea of buying a better scanner if it's worthwhile.

My bet is on the other coil packs 1-5..when one coil goes the rest follow shortly..

 

[tiglon]

Pertinent service history items:

29/07/2020: 'New cylinder 6 coil pack' - £30
12/02/2020: Full service incl. Spark Plugs - £334
23/06/2017: Water pump - £lots
10/12/2016: All injectors and crank sensor - £lots


Scanners:

I have an OBDII scanner called a GoPoint BT1, which transmits to your phone, and I use an app called DashCommand for curiousness monitoring/basics - but this is probably not a top tier system. Does anyone else use this? I will scan the car with it today and see what it says for fault codes stored/historic.

I have access to a friend's top-flight scanner at Xmas time. He is a transport manager so this is a top of the line industry level scanner.

I have had the car scanned by another friend's £1000 handheld mechanic-style OBDII scanner job. No fault codes were present then.

I'm open to the idea of buying a better scanner if it's worthwhile.

My bet is on the other coil packs 1-5..when one coil goes the rest follow shortly..

100%.

Symptoms are exactly the same as when my coil pack went on cylinder 3... and exactly the same as when the coil pack on cylinder 2 went 6 months later.

If it's not a coil pack, I will eat my spare coil pack.

Disclaimer: I won't actually eat the coil pack.

 

[MarshMA10]

Nice. They’re super easy to switch out at least.

Fairly tempted to buy 6 and do them all? No harm in fresh ignition after 14 years…

 

[B21]

Nice. They’re super easy to switch out at least.

Fairly tempted to buy 6 and do them all? No harm in fresh ignition after 14 years…

Should be regarded as a replacement item like spark plugs …

 

[MarshMA10]

Would anyone be willing to recommend an online supplier?

Will go to BMW local as well but always good to have a benchmark.

 

[B21]

Would anyone be willing to recommend an online supplier?

Will go to BMW local as well but always good to have a benchmark.

Autodoc is the go to place if you are not in a rush..

Their app gives always the highest discounts which vary between 22% and last Fridays high of 49%

Eldor, NGK, Bosch are the brands I’d prefer for this part…

 

[MarshMA10]

Six ignition coils and two “salmon relays” (because they were all I could think to look up! ) have been ordered! If nothing else it’ll all be good preventative maintenance.

Excellent app Autodoc; very impressed.

 

[MarshMA10]

Meant to update this: fitted the new coils and plugs; so far no EML on full boost high rpm pulls. It’s pretty hard to do those in London, sadly, but managed a few Fingers crossed it’s gone for good.