1999 E46 only firing on two cylinders - BMW Forum

ChrisDean · 02-19-2012, 07:40 AM

Hi All,

I desperately need some help.

The car, 1999 318i auto 1895cc E46 M43 engine.

I have owned the car for 4 years and it has been regularly serviced.

Whilst driving on the motorway I suddenly lost power, the engine temperature was normal and I had good oil pressure. RAC recovery man arrived andt ran some tests (fuel pump, injectors all okay). The engine is not firing on cylinders 2 & 3. The RAC man replaced the coil pack unfortunately this did not cure the problem. He advised that it is very likely that the Engine ECU had failed. I purchased a used Engine ECU, EWS, Ignition key and Ignition barrel transponder. All fitted okay, but the engine still refuses to fire on all 4 cylinders.

I have checked all of the fuses, cleaned all the electrical connections, etc.

The engine is has started (briefly) on two cylinders, but is obviously very lumpy.

Is it possible that the replacement coil pack fitted by the RAC man was faulty? Are there any other tests that I can perform before taking the car to a specialist BMW garage?

Any help / guidance would be gratefully received.

Many thanks

Chris

Jack Dabsy · 02-19-2012, 10:01 AM

Plugs, plug-leads?

ChrisDean · 02-19-2012, 10:07 AM

Thanks Dabsy,

Plugs and leads are good.

Jack Dabsy · 02-19-2012, 10:10 AM

Have the leads been removed for any reason? If so, the two dodgy ones might need swapping !!

ChrisDean · 02-29-2012, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabsy

Have the leads been removed for any reason? If so, the two dodgy ones might need swapping !!

Hi Dasby,

Would a blocked fuel injector prevent the coil pack from sparking?

Does the coil pack have it's own internal amplifier, or is there an external one?

Many thanks

Chris

rasabmw · 04-13-2012, 02:05 AM

hallo mate, did you solve your problem with m43?
i have exactly the same problem with my bmw.
please help

rasabmw · 04-13-2012, 02:07 AM

to be more accurate i have same car with the same problem...

Jack Dabsy · 04-13-2012, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisDean

Hi Dasby,

Would a blocked fuel injector prevent the coil pack from sparking?

Does the coil pack have it's own internal amplifier, or is there an external one?

Many thanks

Chris

No, and the coil-pack is its own boss (except for the signal to Fire)

sillyrabit111 · 05-04-2012, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Dabsy

No, and the coil-pack is its own boss (except for the signal to Fire)

Are you sure the blocked fuel injector wouldn't do that? I have an 06 325i and i had a misfiring cylinder, everywhere i went they said to start by replacing plugs and if that didn't work then try new injectors.
Fortunately for me it was just a bad ignition coil so i didn't have to replace an injector.

maybe its worth looking into?

Lord Vader · 05-05-2012, 12:27 AM

The signal for the spark is indepent of the signal for the fuel injector. It should still spark even if their is a problem with the injector.

Example. If their is no spark, and injector keeps pumping cylinder gets flooded. The injector doesnt know their is no spark. The computer just registers it as a missfire.

JLynch · 12-21-2012, 09:16 AM

Did this problem ever get solved? I have a 99 328i that has the #5 and #6 cylinders not firing. I swapped with a known good coil pack but problem didn't change. I can hear the fuel injectors ticking but I was wondering if they might be clogged. Let me know

Naomhanbmw · 01-20-2013, 11:52 AM

Hi just wondering did you ever find out what the problem was with your car as my car has the same problem and I seem to have check everything. Thanks