Still code 1221, on 92 325i

[eliseogonzalez]

Still get the code after fixing a vacuum line on the fuel pressure regulator and replacing the fuel pressure regulator all together. Also changed few other hoses that looked questionable.

So far I have replaced
Maf
Icv
Fuel pump
Fuel filter
Fuel pressure regulator
Dme
Ignition switch
Ignition coils
Spark plugs

Car drives strong then a cel light flashes for one sec and the car losses all power, once then works back to normal. It flashes about 5 times in a distance of one block so the car is undrivable.

I am thinking it's the O2, I unplugged it and it does exact same thing, could this be the culprit?

[gc325is]

The OBD I is very simple and cannot determine individual faults. 1221 is failed O2 to respond. The computer tries to alter the fuel mix from rich to lean and the O2 signal does not change enough. You would need to read the O2 signal direct to get an idea what may be the real problem or take guesses like you are to determine the real fault.

So are you above , below or low on signal? When you unplug the O2 the car goes into a default mode. It is the preset fuel mix for the car at the RPMs possible MAF reading. But for the car to stall the mix must be entirely off such that the car does not run. Air leaks, injector leaks, bad electrical connection, Oil leaks, valve cover vent?


https://aws1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/0/027ae2c7d11599d27cb701d10598842fa2e32c5f.gif

[Eric93se]

Just get a new sensor, rockauto Denso, Bosch, NTK.

After you do the sensor, reset the adaptations. Remove the negative from the battery and touch it to the positive for 10 seconds.

[eliseogonzalez]

Just realized, code is 1222 not 1221, still O2 sensor I think,

Thanks guys, ordered an O2 sensor so just waiting for it.

I don't have one of those oscilloscopes to test the signal, so I might just have to keep doing this trial and error. By the time I am done the dang car will be brand new made from Chinese after market parts hehe.

[bluptgm3]

By the time I am done the dang car will be brand new made from Chinese after market parts hehe.

That can be problematic also.


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[eliseogonzalez]

So while I wait for my O2 sensor I decided to disconnect it (I think my car only has one). After disconnecting it acts exactly the same, now does that mean it can be the 02 sensor, or does that rule out the O2 sensor?

[eliseogonzalez]

Update,

Changed 02 sensor
More questionable hoses which looked OK but playing it safe
Temp sensor
Reset computer by touching neg and positive cables

Still same issue, drives great but get these hiccups which feel as if it's going to stall. Code is 1222, seems to happen most often at under 2.5k rpms.

Replacing valve cover gasket and oil cap tomorrow to see if it's a vacuum issue. Any other ideas from anyone?

[gc325is]

Do you have the old coils? You may want to swap one out. Since you do not know which cylinder is mis firing look at the plugs an see which cylinder looks different.
Did you ever change camshaft sensor

[Eric93se]

His car is really old and he's replaced just about everything, so my money is on some bad wiring.

[eliseogonzalez]

The camshaft sensor is the only thing I have not replaced, looks difficult to do it. Until recently I thought it was the crankshaft sensor everyone talked about.

I think Eric is right and probably related to wiring, so far I am $1.4k into this car that cost $1k, I think it's about time to consider it a lost cause and see if I can at least get half my money back.

[gc325is]

Pelican says Cam sensor replacement... 1 hour and $120 more dollars. It is up on top and only a few tight parts to work around to disconnect connectors. The crank sensor is by the starter.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/101-Projects-14-Cam-Sensor/101-Projects-14-Cam-Sensor.htm


I added the Crank shaft sensor link

https://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/101-Projects-15-Crankshaft-Sensor/101-Projects-15-Crankshaft-Sensor.htm (https://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/101-Projects-14-Cam-Sensor/101-Projects-14-Cam-Sensor.htm)

[eliseogonzalez]

Doesn't look too bad, I ordered the part along with a valve cover gasket as I want to make sure there is no vacuum issues as I haven't touched that.

As soon as it comes in I will install and update this, thanks guys for the feedback.

[spyderg0d]

Cam sensor wont cause that on obdl cars. Could be bad, but it wont cause those symptoms or such severity. Crank sensor is much more likely.
I would check the coil boots as well as plugs.

[bluptgm3]

You don’t mention replacing the 15 (seal force generating) grommets when replacing the VC gasket.
You also don’t mention replacing the spark plug extenders.

Code 1222 is for O2 sensor.
https://www.trmtuning.com/2013/10/27/trouble-codes-obd1-bmw/
What brand of O2 sensor did you purchase?

Could be a leaking injector.
How do the plugs look, all in uniform color and contamination?


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[eliseogonzalez]

I replaced the injectors and the crankshaft sensor. Doing the vc gasket tomorrow when it comes in. When I got new coils it came with boots.

What are the seal force generating grommets, are they the rubber surrounded nuts on the valve cover?

The 02 sensor I got from rockauto, however even when I had the sensor unplugged it did the same thing. I only have one O2 sensor on this car by the way.

When I remove the oil cap, I don't feel suction, on my mini Cooper 2009 I did, am I supposed to have neg pressure when removing the valve cover?

[Eric93se]

Yeah you should have neg pressure. Check your pcv hoses that they are not plugged with sludge.

Yes the little grommets go around the nuts on the VCG, you need new ones. Be sure to read the DIY's on the VCG, there are a few places where you put very small amounts of RTV silicone (permatex), if you don't do it the gasket will leak. Also cheap brands of VCG are crap quality and do not last. Buy OEM BMW or Fel-pro.

[bluptgm3]

Use Permatex #2 non-hardening sealant on the head at the “half moon” transitions four places in the rear and at the case breaks two places at the VaNos cover in the front.

https://www.permatex.com/products/gasketing/gasket-sealants/permatex-form-a-gasket-no-2-sealant/


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[spyderg0d]

Probably one alot of people forget. If theres even a small exhaust leak before the 02 sensor, it will cause the 02 code as well.
And hopefully you have checked the wires in the loom. They can get pinched by road debris and then carrode from there on even though they are in the covering.

[eliseogonzalez]

So I got the fel pro gasket, ordered the grommets, I looked in the diy section and can't find the vcg one. I want to know where to add the rtv. Can u post a link?

In regards to the wiring loom, there are lots of wires in there but all look unharmed, will inspect further while I wait for the grometts

[Eric93se]

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/E36-valve-cover/E36-Valve-Cover.htm

[gc325is]

Sorry to hear no go.
FYI

I read long ago only use Bosh O2 on the OBD I cars. Don't recall why I dont think it will cause a problem. Unless there is a wire short
You said the Crank Sensor was replaced not Cam sensor. There is a test where you measure resistance then place a screwdriver near the sensor , it should drop to ~0 Ohms

Do you want to put the old DME back? Just to see how different it would run.

[bluptgm3]

So I got the fel pro gasket, ordered the grommets, I looked in the diy section and can't find the vcg one. I want to know where to add the rtv.

Use Permatex #2 non-hardening sealant on the head at the “half moon” transitions in the rear and at the case breaks at the VaNos cover in the front.

[url]https://www.permatex.com/products/gasketing/gasket-sealants/permatex-form-a-gasket-no-2-sealant/


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[bluptgm3]

I read long ago only use Bosh O2 on the OBD I cars. Don't recall why I dont think it will cause a problem.

Bosch senors are produced by NTK. I did not believe it until I unpackaged my new Bosch sensors and the sensor body was stamped NTK.


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[Eric93se]

His old DME was clearly bad.

If problems persist after these next couple repairs build a smoke machine.

Don't give up!

[eliseogonzalez]

His old DME was clearly bad.

If problems persist after these next couple repairs build a smoke machine.

Don't give up!

The DME was indeed bad, it had printed wires completely torn off the board. Also as soon as I put a new DME (well from junk yard) it removed the on going check engine light. While taking off the grommets last night I noticed they were all cracking, so they were definitely not good, not sure if this could cause the problem I was having but still I am sure it will help some. I get the new grommets today and I will put them in.

I am also going to stop by the dollar store and get some baby oil, a mason jar and start making my rigged up smoke machine. If anyone is interested in seeing me make it I can post some photos of the design, in case you want to make one too. When I was doing the smoke tests I was doing it with the car on, now I think about it and that must not be a good test considering that the exhaust is probably pushing all the fumes out I was getting into the car. The car has to be off when doing a smoke test right? If so then that is definitely a big issue I made when doing my own smoke test with my vape.

In regards to the rtv, I will put it on the two half moons on the back of the VC however I don't have a vanos (its a Jan/1992 car) so there is no concern on rtv there.

I wish I still had my old DME, I chunked it out as soon as I confirmed it was bad, along with some after market head lights my car had and after market tail lights :). So only way I can test another DME is to purchase another one, which might not be such a bad idea.

I bought a DME chip which has not yet arrived from Lithuania, which removes the RPM limiter and supposedly bypasses the 02 sensor, claims extra 20hp, I would be lucky if it just bypasses the 02 sensor.

[eliseogonzalez]

So an update, I made a very dumb mistake and replaced my camshaft sensor instead of my crank shaft sensor. I have ordered the crankshaft sensor and will update everyone with the results.

I did a smoke test and hand a leak on my booster line, fixed and seems to act worse now. Will do a more detailed test this week.

[eliseogonzalez]

So it's finally working yayyyyy

Crankshaft positioning sensor fixed the issue, wow what a relief. Thanks guys I am now moving forward to cosmetic work on the car.

[Eric93se]

Glad you didn't give up!