TPS/Actuator issue?

[Easty-5]

I seem to be having an intermittent throttle issue. A couple of months back my car threw a hissy fit completely out of the blue. Started it up and idle was all over the place and the EML light came on. Turned it off and restarted it and it was fine. EML was still on though. It drove to my Indy with no issues at all and when plugged in it threw up a throttle error. My indy explained that basically it meant there was an inconsistency in the TPS values on startup. The computer said that if the error continues then to replace the throttle actuator. He cleared the codes and the car has been perfect up until today. Exactly the same issue happened. I'm reluctant to get the the throttle actuator changed as I had a brand new one from BMW fitted in August 2013 along with the TPS sensor at the top of the engine.

Has anybody had this issue before? Could it be one of the other TPS sensors (I would have thought it would throw up a code saying that if it was though)? Could it be fuel related? Both times it has happened on a tank of Tesco Momentum 99. I usually use Shell Vpower. Again, if fuel related, i would assume the error code would say.

 

[markplant]

I do recall some one else having eml after using fuel from a different brand if garage, I'll see if I can find it

 

[srhutch]

I do recall some one else having eml after using fuel from a different brand if garage, I'll see if I can find it

That was me, but not on startup.

How old is the battery?
Has it not be driven for a while?

Mine had EML on startup when my battery was on the way out, along with a few other electrical gremlins.

 

[markplant]

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=86274&p=1279389&hilit=Eml+fuel#p1279389
This is the thread , not exactly the same issue as they have dropped to 95ron fuel, where as you've still used a higher Ron but different brand, it may shed some light on your issue

 

[markplant]

I thought it was you Steve, I was half right again

 

[Easty-5]

Battery is only 2, maybe 3 years old. Car has been used most days recently. It's compeltely intermittent - today for example, had a slow leaisurely drive to a friends, left the car there for a few hours, came back to start it up and it threw a wobbler. My main concern is that the error code it threw last time, with the exact same issues, was pointing at the throttle actuator. The throttle actuator isn't even 3 years old.

 

[TomK]

My main concern is that the error code it threw last time, with the exact same issues, was pointing at the throttle actuator. The throttle actuator isn't even 3 years old.

I have a spare good actuator lying around. More than happy to post it to you for you to try and see if that is indeed the issue.

 

[Anonymous]

I never ever ever buy tesco fuel in my cars
Van yes as diesel

As tesco buy up what's left from others hence cheaper
So it's not great quality nor is it constant
I filled mazzer up once !
I had to syphon entire tank of the crap out!!

Super or nothing for me
Mates that work for AA and RAC agree as most fuel issues are tesco fuel related