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BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

5349 messages,  Last post on Apr 30, 2013 at 3:31 PM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 506 of 536

#5044 of 5349 OBD2 Diagnostics Fail by pl11

Mar 31, 2011 (4:39 pm)

My 2004 BMW 3 series will not pass smog. Emissions pass just fine. But the OBD 2 test does not due to several "monitors" reading "not ready". I have been told by smog stations, the smog referee and even the BMW dealership mechanics that the only way to reset these is by driving the car. BMW has checked the car 3 times and there are no faults or problems found. They have performed 3 drive cycles on their machines at the specs required. I have performed 2 drive cycles myself on regular streets, meeting all the specs. I have also driven thousands of regular miles. Still they WILL NOT reset. BMW says there is nothing they can do to "make them" reset, and that everything on the car checks out ok....well, obviously it's not. How do I get these monitors to clear? PLEASE help! Thanks.

#5045 of 5349 Re: OBD2 Diagnostics Fail [pl11] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Mar 31, 2011 (6:41 pm)

Replying to: pl11 (Mar 31, 2011 4:39 pm)
Did you follow this drive cycle pretty much?
 
http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww191/greekengreg/bmwdrivecycle.jpg
 
If not, give it a try.
 
BMW should be able to diagnose the OBD-II computer and figure out what's wrong, if it won't reset.

#5046 of 5349 Re: OBD2 Diagnostics Fail [Mr_Shiftright] by pl11

Apr 05, 2011 (8:39 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 31, 2011 6:41 pm)
Yep, that's the one. BMW literally told me there's nothing else they can do. Quite frustrating. There is obviously something wrong because they have said they've never seen the sensors take so long to reset. They said "look we'd love to charge you and perform work on the car, but there's literally nothing we can do further". BMW technicians can't diagnose the problem? How is that possible?

#5047 of 5349 Re: OBD2 Diagnostics Fail [pl11] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Apr 05, 2011 (11:13 am)

Replying to: pl11 (Apr 05, 2011 8:39 am)
Well that's just incompetence, that's all. Of course it can be fixed. Are you in the SF Bay area by any chance? I could direct you to people who know what they are doing.
 
Meantime, if you could get a letter from the BMW dealer saying that the problem can't be fixed, maybe the smog referee will let you off the hook on this one.
 
Doesn't your state have laws that exempt you from very expensive or impossible repairs?

#5048 of 5349 fuse out? by upstatedoc

Apr 09, 2011 (1:28 pm)

Hey guys-
 
want to throw this out there:
 
A buddy and I were installing aftermarket "parking sensors" on the back of my E90 and every thing was going fine until he tried to tap into aline for power and ground. Now anything run off either front cig lighter is not getting power. We figure it is a fuse but neither of us wants to go digging and cause further harm. Anyone know exactly where the fuse for the cig lighters is. everything else works fine. Thanks!

#5049 of 5349 Re: OBD2 Diagnostics Fail [Mr_Shiftright] by pl11

Apr 09, 2011 (6:39 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 05, 2011 11:13 am)
Well, no argument here! Total incompetence. I am not in SF area. I'm in the Central Valley (Fresno). I looked into the BAR financial assistance program but it doesn't apply to me. It is only good for biannual smog checks, not for smog checks from change of ownership (which mine is). I've also already tried the referee who told me they are under stricter regulations than before. They used to be able to cut people slack, but not anymore (in their words). j
 
If your people in the SF bay area are able to give me a quote (at least to some degree) over the phone, then I might just be willing to take it there for repairs. I am somewhat hesitant because I've taken it to BMW and 3 other mechanics that heard my description of the problem and said "oh, yeah bring it in we can take care of that"....and each one failed to do so. I'm out of pocket so much at this point....still searching for answers.

#5050 of 5349 Re: OBD2 Diagnostics Fail [pl11] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Apr 10, 2011 (10:45 am)

Replying to: pl11 (Apr 09, 2011 6:39 pm)
Well you might try these guys. They are *characters* and do not present the best image of spiffiness (they could care less) but they really do know what they are doing. Gee, that's a long haul from Fresno, though. If you have AAA premier service, they'll flat bed you 100 miles.
 
You can check out their reviews on YELP:
 
http://www.yelp.com/biz/marin-bavarian-san-rafael
 
Marin Bavarian
775 Andersen Drive
San Rafael, CA 94901-5362
(415) 453-7670
 
if you go, be sure to check out their elaborate display of junk foods. Bring a 6-pack, they like that.
 

#5051 of 5349 Re: OBD2 Diagnostics Fail [Mr_Shiftright] by pl11

Apr 11, 2011 (1:16 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 10, 2011 10:45 am)
Thanks, I'll check it out. I'm seriously considering selling it at this point. I'm not a "car guy". I like cars as long as they don't present problems lol. At this point I'm willing to take a loss on the car just to get rid of it because at this point, my time is not worth the hassle. Someone with the desire to do a little work could get a steal with this car, so maybe I'll explore that route. Hmm...anyway, I appreciate the responses!

#5052 of 5349 Re: OBD2 Diagnostics Fail [Mr_Shiftright] by srs_49

Apr 11, 2011 (2:02 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 10, 2011 10:45 am)
Bring a 6-pack, they like that.
 
I've used a body shop around here that works that way, only in their case it's a case of Coors Light .

#5053 of 5349 Repair Dilema - Insurance or my own by cooljc74

Apr 14, 2011 (7:55 am)

Hey guys, (especially to car appraisal experts)
 
I noticed a palm size dent on trunk door and sligtly cracked rear bumper; hit and run probably...
I am trying to decide if it's better to have it fixed out of pocket or go thru insurance.
I also plan on selling my car 6-12 months.
 
How much is taken off on average when you see 1-3K repair done when you pull up a carfax report on 3 series? I am not sure what info/How much detailed info will be shown up on the VIN history report either. Hit and Run, accident, detailed description of the damage & etc...
 
Thanks in advance.

Messages Page 506 of 536

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