What the F*ck - Help Required

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oo7ml

Active member
I had to pop out to the shop a few minutes ago... when i came back from the shop, i drove out of the car park, the traction control kicked in as the roads are covered in ice... then all of a sudden this all happened together:

- the tyre pressure monitor light (amber) came on
- the EML light came on
- the revs started bouncing up and down continously from 1.5 to 2 (even though i had it back in neutral)
- a strange sound was comming from the car (pumping revy sound)
- then the tyre pressure monitor light changed from amber to red on the dash

I got out and inspected the tyres and all seemed fine, i got back in turned off the car, left it off for about 30 secs and turned it back on, all seemed fine... even though the traction had to kick in a few more time on the way home

(the reason i went into detail about my trip is to highlight the fact that the car was completely cold when i started it... drove for 5 mins, car back off again for 20 mins, then i started back up again... not sure if that makes a difference but i hope someone can help me out here)

thanks in advance to anyone who can help...
 
Sounds like two seperate problems - I'd definitely get your tyre pressures checked properly, the warning light is more accurate than a "look test" type thing.

I've had a similar thing with the revs bouncing & the EML light - after 5mins it sorted itself out and no codes were stored when I approached the dealer so I dismissed it.

Is it running ok now ? Let it tick over & warm up properly for a bit & see how it reacts - maybe as you're checking the pressures :)
 
What Andy said... something similar happened with mine the other week (first lot of snow) as I was trying to get off the drive, not sure if the DTC was off or on through. I switched off for about a minute and then on again and all was okay.

Didn't get the tyre warning... would check the pressures, but I think (putting flame suit on) that it work on rotation speed rather than a pressure sensor, so could have been caused by the ice / wheel rotation.

Take it easy and keep an eagle eye on those lights.
 
Cool, thanks guys... i thought there could have been something seriously wrong with the car since the EML light came on... i think i might bring it into a dealer next week anyway. This is the second time that the Tyre Pressure Monitor light has come on the dash this week but as i said above, i have never experienced weather conditions like this before, thanks again for your help guys, much appreciated...
 
I'd say that this is a combination of the cold weather/cold engine/ short trip.

- the car cannot decide on the correct amount of fuel to supply. I.e. it's been started, run for a bit but is abnormally cold.

- maybe a bit like early auto-chokes used to work. you could start it, drive for 5 minutes. Stop off for petrol, then it would go 'mental' starting/cutting out etc. i.e. the car cannot decide if it's warming up or cooling down.

(i'm probably talking rubbish, but I know that this could be an issue and i'm sure the cold weather wouldn't help this!)
 
Yeah make sense... that is why i mentioned what kind of a trip i had as i would really be worrying if the car had been driven for a soild hour
 
Is it Ok now?

The Tyre sensor does work on rotational speed using the ABS sensors but I think you'd need a bit more than slippy ground to trigger it.

The other main thing is whether the EML light stays on - if it's back off and its running ok I wouldn't worry too much.
 
No, everything is fine now, i am going to bring it out again now for another drive and see how it gets on, i'l let you know how it gets on, thanks all...
 
Did you drive straight away? I try to leave the car to run for around 30-60 secs before driving off (wait until the revs settle at around 800rpm).
 
I think this is the Traction Control and Throttlebody getting a little confused... Id suggest doing a TB reset. The TCS works by closing the throttle gradually to reduce power which is not always ideal for ice, this is why the manual states you should hit the DTC button once.

Mine sometimes makes a strange 'blipping' noise when at low grip, low rpm and traction control on situations. This is beause cutting the throttle chokes the engine to a stall so immediately tries to recover. It may be a slight oversight in the engine mapping characteristics.

I had a vacuum leak problem with my old VX which slammed the TB closed to the point where the engine's suction wouldnt allow it to re-open. This caused the exact symptoms you describe. Even if it is fine, id try to get someone to read off the code for peice of mind :)
 
Ok cool, thanks, all is fine now... sorry to go a little off topic but what way does the traction control work... by default it is on, hit it once and then it is half off, then you must hold it down for a few seconds to completely turn it off... or am i wrong (also what is TB and TCS)

what setting should you have it in the snow.... thanks again for your help
 
I induced petty much the same thing today teaching Mrs CJ to drive on ice. She was worried after yesterdays spinning wheels, so we used the local car park for 30 mins of wanton sliding :) (I mean car control).

If she over revved and had the real wheels slipping traction control was cutting in to drop revs. The engine and car became confused, revs rise and lower as it cuts power but then tried to raise its revs again to keep from stalling (pretty much for the reason Ed describes) Dash looks like a christmas tree while it sorts out.

Ran it without the DTC off and a lot smoother for her.

I don't think you have any problem, but I might as Mrs CJ liked the tail out opposite lock way to much :(
 
Very similar experience here too, tyre pressure warning, handbrake light, traction control . . but all reset on restart, checked tyre pressures to make sure . . .fine. Car now running as superbly as ever on rare ventures into the snowy wastes of England lol

Delboy :)
 
Hi Mate
I had a very similar problem. Revs bounding up and down as you described. I had EML light, Engine Light and Tracton Control Light all on. Took it to the garage and seemed to be an electrical glitch. Mine is a 2003 3.0 but is SMG. The BMW specialist garage put it down to a SMG issue getting confused but they had to reset all the problems manually so was 2.5 hrs labour so cost me in region of £200

Not sure if you have the same problem but may help

Regards
Rob
 
Thanks all for your input... will try to get the car in for an inspection during the week.. if it stops snowing over here
 
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