mil code 'EE misfire cyl 1' (stay with me here)

[C Sean Watts]

I got the mil light THREE times in as many months for the same fault - 'misfire cyl. 1'

I HAVE COMPLETED the following to no avail.
-changed spark plugs.
-changed faulty coil, got the code again ~2 weeks later.
-swapped coils to see if code would follow the coil to another cylinder, it did NOT.
-replaced cam position sensor ~a year ago and have not gotten the same sensor associated code since.
-changed the valve cover gasket same time as cam sensor when oil began seeping in, spark plug holes are still dry and clean.
-cleaned both the throttle body and IAC valve, changed the crank case oil separator and associated hoses ~10k miles ago.

This isn't my first rodeo (first post on this forum following a 'recreation' of my account) and I've been through every troubleshooting list I can find.

Information I am not looking for; guesses as to why anything I've done is not going to help, repetition of what I've already done from anyone who didn't read the list.

Information I am looking for; solutions from anyone who had and resolved this, any other troubleshooting steps not already in the Bentley manual or the factory dealer service manual (If you've read this far..."yes" I do have the original factory manual on CD and can provide copies to fellow forum members for a very reasonable price.)

[theluis]

You may have bad compression..
Does the car run rough?
If It doesn't run rough then it may be a computer issue.. (the computers thinks it has a misfire when it doesn't really have one)

[C Sean Watts]

Originally Posted by theluis

You may have bad compression..
Does the car run rough?
If It doesn't run rough then it may be a computer issue.. (the computers thinks it has a misfire when it doesn't really have one)

Only when it went into 'limp mode' one time. I got to a safe place, parked, ate lunch. After it cooled, it started & ran great and drove another 75 miles - light on, no problems. Other than that it still starts and runs fine. I'm thinking it's electric or electronic. BTW I had the injectors cleaned and tested about 1 1/2 years ago and they were good.

You might know...what are the working voltages and resistances for the injectors?

[theluis]

I have On Demand 5 I can look up those specs but I'll need the model year body and engine.. Although I don't think it would matter if the Vehicle is not running rough,, How old are your O2 sensors? It could be a slow to respond O2 sensor..
You might also check the teeth on the front crank pully where the crank sensor is at (assuming you have an e36) if any of those are bent or missing..
Also any other codes?

[C Sean Watts]

Originally Posted by theluis

I have On Demand 5 I can look up those specs but I'll need the model year body and engine.. Although I don't think it would matter if the Vehicle is not running rough,, How old are your O2 sensors? It could be a slow to respond O2 sensor..
You might also check the teeth on the front crank pully where the crank sensor is at (assuming you have an e36) if any of those are bent or missing..
Also any other codes?

It's a '97 328is A-2 with the M52, build date 12/96. The O2 sensors are about two years old. No other codes. I'll check the the crank position wheel tomorrow.

[C Sean Watts]

Originally Posted by theluis

I have On Demand 5 I can look up those specs but I'll need the model year body and engine.. Although I don't think it would matter if the Vehicle is not running rough,, How old are your O2 sensors? It could be a slow to respond O2 sensor..
You might also check the teeth on the front crank pully where the crank sensor is at (assuming you have an e36) if any of those are bent or missing..
Also any other codes?

OK - The crank wheel is good, no missing teeth or anything stuck between them. I changed the fuel injector and it improved for a while. I got the MIL light and reset it on the road, drove another 75 miles and the light stayed off...

[Jack Dabsy]

A friend of mine on another forum had the same misfire issue... After mucho head scratching and similar expense of replacing engine components, he changed the ECU and everyone lived Happy Ever After !! Apparently, there was a "dry" connection on the old ECU's circuit-board !!!

[C Sean Watts]

Originally Posted by Dabsy

A friend of mine on another forum had the same misfire issue... After mucho head scratching and similar expense of replacing engine components, he changed the ECU and everyone lived Happy Ever After !! Apparently, there was a "dry" connection on the old ECU's circuit-board !!!

I'm beginning to think it's a computer issue also. I use the Peak Research code analyzer and the code stays the same 'coil defect' and 'misfire cyl. 1' EVEN with new spark plugs, changing the coil, moving them around between cylinders, cleaning the connectors with electronic cleaning spray and changing out the fuel injector. I have a long time buddy who's an electrical engineer and he reminded me that BMW hired a contractor to make the ECU (as everyone does now) and wave soldering on the assembly line can be prone dry joints or 'cold solders.'

Here's my bugaboo - I got this car in Germany through military and diplomat sales and I've been told by a factory dealer here, even though it's a USA spec. car, the programming is tuned for a little more power. We'll see what the dealership says when I take it to them in the next few days.