Z3 with Stop/Start Technology

Eddie Zedder

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Jun 10, 2015
Points
148
Location
Megawatt Valley, Notts.
Model of Z
Z3 2.0
I have had Eddie for 10 days now and have discovered that he has been retro fitted with engine stop/start technology befitting of modern day economical motors. There is a problem though, I think it has been wired up incorrectly. When you pull up at a junction or traffic lights, instead of the engine cutting out when in neutral & brake on, it cuts out when in first gear and with your foot on the accelerator pedal. The other problem is that I am sat there waiting for the engine to re-start and nothing happens. I have to physically use my hand to turn off the ignition and turn it on again! The problem is even more embarrassing in a crowded town centre, with Pearl Jam blaring out of the stereo you can't hear if that 6cyl is purring or not.

Joking aside, before you all shout 'inlet cam sensor' , could you get away with giving the sensor a clean or would I be better biting the bullet and getting a new one? Also is there anything else I should be looking at that could cause the engine to stall on depressing the accelerator? I have also noticed that the engine sometimes misses a beat under hard acceleration and at other times there seems to be a lack of power while accelerating. Sorry to go on! :bashhead:
 
Inlet cam sensor is my thought Brian. Had exactly the same problem with my car. Get an O.E.M. part or genuine, DON'T go cheap for this part. Easy to fit, help here if you need it.

Tony.
 
@t-tony your awesomeness shinning again!! Is there anything you don't know? :thumbsup:
 
Inlet cam sensor is my thought Brian. Had exactly the same problem with my car. Get an O.E.M. part or genuine, DON'T go cheap for this part. Easy to fit, help here if you need it.

Tony.
Thanks Tony, will get one ordered from Sopers. Will have to wait till payday though Mrs Eddie thinks I have spent too much already!
 
Can these sensors act up without throwing codes?

Luckily I had a code when mine did this to say which sensor it was (I believe there is 2-3 sensors for cam and crank and and can cause similar issues so without a code how to be sure which to change first?).

Now I have a light misfire at low revs but no codes so thinking fresh plugs and oil (less than a year and a few k miles old though..).
It's nothing like when the sensor had gone (crank sensor at the front of the engine). That was very noticeable to say the least.

As there are no codes this time I'm hoping it's not a sensor starting to go, been a busy year this on the Z!
 
TBH Dino, I changed the crank sensor on my car first when it started with the cutting out at junctions and roundabouts etc but it still continued. I changed the inlet cam sensor next from a gut feeling not through any codes in the memory. After I fitted a poor quality sensor (from ECP) the OBD went into limp home mode and DID leave a code, which became almost regular. I swapped this sensor with an O.E.M one from Euro Car Parts (£35 ish) and total transformation. Feels like a different car, even the Auto box works better, definitely including the Sport mode.

Tony.
 
Can these sensors act up without throwing codes?

Luckily I had a code when mine did this to say which sensor it was (I believe there is 2-3 sensors for cam and crank and and can cause similar issues so without a code how to be sure which to change first?).

Now I have a light misfire at low revs but no codes so thinking fresh plugs and oil (less than a year and a few k miles old though..).
It's nothing like when the sensor had gone (crank sensor at the front of the engine). That was very noticeable to say the least.

As there are no codes this time I'm hoping it's not a sensor starting to go, been a busy year this on the Z!
I was thinking that having the codes read first may be worth doing before jumping in and changing the sensor, but it seems to be that this is a fairly commonly encountered problem, plus I haven't got a code reader, so I may just bite the bullet and give it as try!
 
Would I be right in saying that a genuine BMW part is around £75?
 
I haven't got a code reader
I have a code reader for this, if your at Laughterton any time I will gladly have a look for you. What year is your car and does it have an OBD port under the steering column area?

Tony.
 
That is possible mate. PM me your reg no. and I will enquire at ECP Lincoln for you topmorrow.

Tony.
Yes Tony, there is an OBD port under the column, reg is V785FLV. I can make as special trip to see you, not sure when, but if you let me know when you are available I will pop down. Thanks your a star!
 
No worries mate, I will be happy to help if I can.

Tony.
 
Tony's gonna need a bigger pillow to rest his head on when he go's to beddy by's at this rate
I already need one Steve, I had to put a new clutch in an Isuzu 4WD yesterday, I'm still knackered and have hurt my back, after all I'm only 59 and the two others who could have done this were running scared, One too F...ing lazy and One too scared to get dirty and both only just over half my age. Ex Halfords To55ers.

Tony.
 
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