XSeries-forum

So I've had an intermittent (getting worse now) fault on the x5
every so often the 3 lights turn up abs dsc and handbrake i think all in yellow
then it goes into engine fail-safe mode

I've read the codes with my handheld and the BMW software and they both come up with icv stuck open
usually I'd go with that and try cleaning the icv and if that didn't work replace it
but .... I've already replaced it with a Bosch one 4 months ago
i know it's not impossible for the new valve to have gone faulty but in my experience Bosch stuff generally doesn't go wrong
googling the problem just gives me a headache and numerous ideas from faulty mass air flow (replaced in December) to dodgy abs sensor (they all read OK on the computer)

I'm going to pull the valve off at the weekend along with the throttle body and give them all a good clean up and also replace the hose that connects them (it looks OK but I've got a new one so i might as well)

if this doesn't work anyone got any ideas ??

thanks in advance

If you are happy the sensor is OK I would check the harness for any sign of chafing I would also check or vacuum leaks.
Good luck

I'm pretty sure that the valve is OK but I'll speak to Bosch and find out the tests to check it's ok
I'll have a good look at the pipes when I strip it down ..... I'm tempted to change the crank breather/pipes while i've stripped it down

  Ian try this, check the ohms are within spec.

Terminals 1 & 2: 20 +/- 5 ohms
Terminals 2 & 3: 20 +/- 5 ohms
Terminals 1 & 3: 40 +/- 5 ohms

Mpower

lol Mpower
just got of the phone with Bosch technical and they advised getting an 9v battery and using center terminal as earth , power it up and see if it moves

after a weekend with my arms burried upto the elbows in the x5 and a couple of cans of carb cleaner
nothing ..... still throwing the same codes
I've checked the wiring harness and thats all fine no breaks in that

looks like i'm looking at an ecu fault 

thats gonna have to wait a couple of weeks

Abs module is kaput I recon. Abs dsc lights on etc. Does it go into engine safe mode or transmission safe mode? I had a similar fault on an old E39 and I swapped the crank sensor, cam sensor, cleaned the MAF and looked for air leaks all to no avail. Turned out to be the ABS module.

Hi there

Before you throw any parts at it see if you can code read it with BMW software and get a 4 digit manufacturer fault code , that engine suffered with issues with the electronic throttle and the wiring block connector to it .

Also the intake bellows splits where it tees off to the idle valve and the crank case breather diaphragm goes.

Do you have any rough running symptoms or throttle issues?

hi steve
i've tested the wiring and that all seems to be ok all the componants are testing ok too
i changed the throttle body/icv rubber pipe because it looked like it was starting to perish

the fault still happens ....

so i've been thinking about what caused the problem and i've remembered how it started
back when i was trying to find the issue with the misfire (turned out to be the thermostat)
i went through all the connctions on the engine makinfg sure they were clean and good
because i got distracted i didnt plug the idle control valve back in and started the car
obviously it wouldnt run and i quickly found the reason
replugged the valve back in and all was well while it sat idling outside the house
within a mile of driving was the first time i saw the 3 lights and engine failsafe mode
now these lights come up frequently but the only time i can kind of guarentee it will happen is if i'm slowing down from motorway speeds to 40/50 mph (road works on the m6/5) then i can pretty much be certain it will bong at me


i'm thinking that trying to run the car without the icv plugged in has fried the ecu

Can you read from that ecu to confirm?

gonna show my ignorance ...... do what now ???

i can read the ecu with the DIS and i've been able to update the software through progman

i'm in that horrible cycle of replacing parts until the problem disappears

just for info its had
plugs (lpg ones)
coils x6
new maf
new icv
thermostat
throttle body / icv hose

Replacing parts is an expensive route to take that's what stealers do at your expense,it be cheaper to diagnose or get a knowledgeable Indy near you  to identify the actual cause before wasting your hard earned.

As previous poster get the BMW fault code from ecu thus will give better confirmation of actual/possible fault.

I'll code read it tonight and take a pic of the codes

had to drive her round a bit before she spat her dummy but this is what came up


and this is what i get when i do the test routine on the idle control valve