iShipwreck
06-03-2018, 02:26 AM
Hey there! So I was planning on using this as kind of a blog in case anyone comes across the same issues as I have, or to just check out what I'm doing while I memorialize the work I do to my E39. If I'm in the wrong area, I'll move.
630921
I bought this car about 2 weeks ago and since then have been doing LOTS of research, following a bunch of threads on this forum, and getting acquainted with my new ride, websites, retailers, parts catalogs, etc... A bunch of you guys have been very helpful so far and I truly appreciate it. I went ahead and ordered INPA (along with other software) and the respective cables since that seems like what a lot of people are saying to do. "CODES CODES CODES". I hear ya, don't worry. Oh and I also grabbed myself a set of snap-on torx bits. Those have already come in handy and was something my toolbox was lacking.
A bit about the car when I bought it.. The guy seemed to like the car but not how much money it took to fix things when they went wrong. He was basically telling me he couldn't figure out what was wrong with it but gave me some codes his buddy pulled: P1580, P0101, P1423, P1421. I won't go into detail what those codes mean but basically there was something wrong with the throttle body, MAF, and air pump for emissions. After initial inspection the engine looked clean for the most part. Hoses were good, no active leaking oils (just old dry stuff), but the fan had a broken fin and there was no fan shroud. He said he had the muffler removed but he still had it and he had a fan and fan shroud he got from the junk yard that was in good condition. I bought the car for less than what it should have been sold for and left. I forgot the extra parts he had so I went back the next day and grabbed it, including the catalytic converter that was also not on the car.. $%@! Oh well. Registration isn't due for a while and I'm quite the DIYer.
Interior looked like a soccer mom's minivan. Crumbs, spilled somethings, and mystery substances on the carpet. Leather was in good condition and there weren't any tears in the interior. Everything just looked tired and needed some TLC. I can tell he didn't take care of it very well. This car deserved MUCH better.
So anyways, the car wouldn't let me go over 60mph and the throttle wasn't very responsive. It was drive-able but not the best and would go into limp mode often. I finally cracked it open to see what I could do. First things first, throttle body. Took all the stuff out of the way and got to the root. Found out the little tab that would catch the throttle wire to open the valve was broken.
630922
So pressing on the pedal would open the throttle when the car was on thanks to the electric solenoid in the hybrid type throttle body I had. When the car was off though, stepping on the pedal would do nothing! I suppose this is what the "Throttle valve mechanically stuck" code was trying to tell me. Pulled it, jerry rigged it, cleaned it up all nice and bright, and stuck it back in. I reset the adaptations (or at least I think I did) by disconnecting the battery and leaving it for a few hours before hooking everything back up. I know I know, I only slapped a bandaid on there temporarily so I could still drive it to work but a new OEM throttle body is already on it's way and as soon as I get it it's going in, don't worry. I fired her right up and so far I haven't gotten any throttle codes nor has it gone into limp mode. Throttle seems a bit more responsive as well and it idles better with cold starts. A more in-depth driving experience is in order just to be safe. I also replaced the fan and added the fan shroud to the mix.
I deep cleaned the interior, took a tooth brush to the seams of the leather, vacuumed every nook and cranny I could fit the hose in, shampooed the carpet, and took note of the cup holders that needed to be replaced. Looks mush better now but I would like to get the seats out and do a much more thorough job. There's still some messes I can't reach.
Lastly, I found out the MAF that the guy used was not only a knock-off but a REMANUFACTURED part as well... Ugh. People trying to go cheap on a car that doesn't like cheap. There's the MAF code then... need to replace that one as well.
So far that's everything I have done with her but there's still a lot more to go. New throttle body, new MAF, fix vacuum hoses, new headliner, paint job, clean interior, clean and condition seats, replace broken or missing interior accessories/covers, new radio unit (for aesthetics and functionality), vanos rebuild, oil change, VCG, CCV, etc. etc. etc........ I love this stuff.
630921
I bought this car about 2 weeks ago and since then have been doing LOTS of research, following a bunch of threads on this forum, and getting acquainted with my new ride, websites, retailers, parts catalogs, etc... A bunch of you guys have been very helpful so far and I truly appreciate it. I went ahead and ordered INPA (along with other software) and the respective cables since that seems like what a lot of people are saying to do. "CODES CODES CODES". I hear ya, don't worry. Oh and I also grabbed myself a set of snap-on torx bits. Those have already come in handy and was something my toolbox was lacking.
A bit about the car when I bought it.. The guy seemed to like the car but not how much money it took to fix things when they went wrong. He was basically telling me he couldn't figure out what was wrong with it but gave me some codes his buddy pulled: P1580, P0101, P1423, P1421. I won't go into detail what those codes mean but basically there was something wrong with the throttle body, MAF, and air pump for emissions. After initial inspection the engine looked clean for the most part. Hoses were good, no active leaking oils (just old dry stuff), but the fan had a broken fin and there was no fan shroud. He said he had the muffler removed but he still had it and he had a fan and fan shroud he got from the junk yard that was in good condition. I bought the car for less than what it should have been sold for and left. I forgot the extra parts he had so I went back the next day and grabbed it, including the catalytic converter that was also not on the car.. $%@! Oh well. Registration isn't due for a while and I'm quite the DIYer.
Interior looked like a soccer mom's minivan. Crumbs, spilled somethings, and mystery substances on the carpet. Leather was in good condition and there weren't any tears in the interior. Everything just looked tired and needed some TLC. I can tell he didn't take care of it very well. This car deserved MUCH better.
So anyways, the car wouldn't let me go over 60mph and the throttle wasn't very responsive. It was drive-able but not the best and would go into limp mode often. I finally cracked it open to see what I could do. First things first, throttle body. Took all the stuff out of the way and got to the root. Found out the little tab that would catch the throttle wire to open the valve was broken.
630922
So pressing on the pedal would open the throttle when the car was on thanks to the electric solenoid in the hybrid type throttle body I had. When the car was off though, stepping on the pedal would do nothing! I suppose this is what the "Throttle valve mechanically stuck" code was trying to tell me. Pulled it, jerry rigged it, cleaned it up all nice and bright, and stuck it back in. I reset the adaptations (or at least I think I did) by disconnecting the battery and leaving it for a few hours before hooking everything back up. I know I know, I only slapped a bandaid on there temporarily so I could still drive it to work but a new OEM throttle body is already on it's way and as soon as I get it it's going in, don't worry. I fired her right up and so far I haven't gotten any throttle codes nor has it gone into limp mode. Throttle seems a bit more responsive as well and it idles better with cold starts. A more in-depth driving experience is in order just to be safe. I also replaced the fan and added the fan shroud to the mix.
I deep cleaned the interior, took a tooth brush to the seams of the leather, vacuumed every nook and cranny I could fit the hose in, shampooed the carpet, and took note of the cup holders that needed to be replaced. Looks mush better now but I would like to get the seats out and do a much more thorough job. There's still some messes I can't reach.
Lastly, I found out the MAF that the guy used was not only a knock-off but a REMANUFACTURED part as well... Ugh. People trying to go cheap on a car that doesn't like cheap. There's the MAF code then... need to replace that one as well.
So far that's everything I have done with her but there's still a lot more to go. New throttle body, new MAF, fix vacuum hoses, new headliner, paint job, clean interior, clean and condition seats, replace broken or missing interior accessories/covers, new radio unit (for aesthetics and functionality), vanos rebuild, oil change, VCG, CCV, etc. etc. etc........ I love this stuff.