First post and need some advice

[Silver740ILL]

Recently purchased a 2001 silver 740IL and love it. Was driving the car aggressively today and it bucked during acceleration and got the engine fail safe message and threw a SES code. Pulled over and shut it down then it started right up. The code is a P0102 with no other codes present. Checked for air/vacuum leaks and found none. Cleaned the throttle plate and body with a clean rag and throttle cleaner making sure not to spray any in the throttle body. The engine starts and after a minute it will die at idle. If I touch the mass air flow sensor housing it will stumble or die. I'm figuring that its a faulty unit but just wanted some opinions. I was a honda dealer tech but I have zero experience with BMW's. Also the unit in my vehicle is a Bosch MAF... Is Bosch the OEM part manufacturer?

Been lurking for awhile and this site is awesome..
Thanks in advance!

[M I C H A E L]

first off whats your build date, and second Im going to lookup your code for you.

[Silver740ILL]

06/01

[BobsBimmer]

MAF is common problem with these cars. Bosch is the OEM part manufacturer for the MAF. You can use one from a VW as a cheaper alternative. I think the part number is on e38.org

[M I C H A E L]

MAF sensor, crank the car up with the the maf disconnecte completely off the car. if it doesnt stall out and idles better, replace, and yes bosch is oem.

[pizzaman09]

Yes, the Bosch MAF is the oem unit and it is strongly, strongly recommended that you replace it with a Bosch.

The common way to test if the MAF is at fault is to unplug the unit and see if the engine stumbling goes away.

[Silver740ILL]

They look fairly inexpensive from what I've seen online. I have a parts distributor at my work that deals in only German cars and they have most OEM parts for a little more than half the price of the dealer. Northside Imports is the company name. Any advantage going with the VW part?

[M I C H A E L]

its cheaper..

[Mayorchuck]

Welcome to the forum. MAF or Crank position sensor. If literally touching the MAF sensor causes the car to react, you definitely have an issue right there. VW Bosch MAF will work in your car. See DIY section at the top of the forum. Here is a similar issue:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1643227

Edit: Just make sure it's Bosch or you will end up buying two.

[Silver740ILL]

Looks like I'm picking up a new unit tomorrow.

Thanks for all the quick responses!


Welcome to the forum. MAF or Crank position sensor. If literally touching the MAF sensor causes the car to react, you definitely have an issue right there. VW Bosch MAF will work in your car. See DIY section at the top of the forum. Here is a similar issue:


Edit: Just make sure it's Bosch or you will end up buying two.

I'm sure it's the MAF because it starts fine with it disconnected. I always stick with OEM when it comes to emission components. Seen to many people come into my shop trying to save a few bucks and go the cheap route and get burned.