Any BMW mechanics about?

sodamnfunky

This maybe a long shot but I have an error code of P1349 on my 3 series compact, and the car is misfiring this code after searching the internet says misfire on cylinder 4 with fuel cut off.

As a man who is about as mechanically minded as a stone, could you shed some light or confirm the code...:beer:

jeannieblue

You may have to fork out about £120 first....... plus VAT

Or go to an independent - most have all the diagnostic equipment needed these days.

sodamnfunky

Have been to an independant, which is where I got the error code, which is a manufacturers code...:rolleyes:

swiftnick

sodamnfunky wrote: »

Have been to an independant, which is where I got the error code, which is a manufacturers code...:rolleyes:

Could your independant not help diagnose the fault then?

From what you've described it sounds like an ignition coil related problem.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

It'll probably be ignition related. First thing to check is the spark plug, but after any replacement parts you need to clear that code - and normally, to do that, you need an OBD II code reader.

thescouselander

As already said, its probably an ignition coil or spark plug issue - both are easy to change. The problem is the coil packs are not cheap. As a diagnostic check you could swap the coil pack for that cylinder with one from another cylinder and see if the fault follows the coil pack.

Its worth buying a code reader - only about £20 off ebay and probably available from other sources off the internet for the same price. This is the one I have and it works fine on my 3 series.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OBD-2-II-EOBD-OBD2-Fault-Code-Reader-CAN-Scanner-U380_W0QQitemZ300301790833QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment?hash=item300301790833&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1689%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1308


Might also be worth looking at the injector for that cylinder. Another thing to check is for cracks on the inlet manifold (which is plastic on many BMWs).



The other thing that is common with BMWs is the cam shaft position sensor - this is usually accompanied by another fault code but might be worth bearing in mind if investigation of the ignition system and injector doesn't yield any results.

sodamnfunky

Thanks guys



I am going to call the independant this morning, as he did say it could be an injector problem. I will also look at buying the code reader, especially at that price.

marc_uk_2

P1349 is indeed a bmw specific code, id be careful buying a code reader off ebay as many dont read these codes, peake code readers are most widely used by the home diy types for bmw they run about 100-135.

as for your fault id say its either a bad spark plug or a coil pack causing it, the DME is not registering a spark or ignition to cylinder 4 so its cutting the fuel.

my 1st call would be to swap the plugs and or coil pack for cylinder 4 with cylinder 3, then re-read the codes, if the codes move (should throw P1347 iirc for same fault on cylinder 3) then you have found your problem. just replace that coil pack, and or plugs and bingo, sorted.

bosseyed

Hope you're sorted by now, but I going to add another vote for spark plugs - my old Mk4 golf used to do the same thing every few months, a catastrophic misfire which felt like the whole car was about to blow. It was a spark plug issue everytime dropping out one of the cylinders so it was running on 3 rather than 4 I think. A few quid for a new set of plugs did the job.

I got fairly adept at changing them myself, cursing VW everytime for having the manifold over the 4th spark making it a real !!!! to get to.

tomstickland

I'd start by inspecting the spark plugs. Also the condition of the HT leads. If they all look fine then I'd suspect the coil pack.

TiTheRev

tomstickland wrote: »

I'd start by inspecting the spark plugs. Also the condition of the HT leads. If they all look fine then I'd suspect the coil pack.

You're showing your age there Tom. Most cars in the last 10years now have individual coil packs and plugs that dont need more than replacing every 40-60k.

The trouble the OP seems to have is that they are using an independant garage the reason the garage was unable to diagnose the fault in the 1st place is that they've got a cheap fault code reader, and going back isnt going to help. If you'd taken it to a dealership you could have it fixed and fine by now. We do a £59 diagnosis fee, which includes a fix if we can do it within the hour, and with the correct code reader (ours are over 20k, not £20!) you will find the fault 1st time and not need to keep going back when the wrong part has been replaced after guessing what's wrong like Tom above

1 trip to dealer - £59 (plus parts if needed)
3/4 trips to independant @ £20/30 a time, plus cheap parts, so is actually a false economy even if the labour rate is technically lower.