unsolved mystery 1286 on 318i

[krautcars]

My 318I has a 1286 code on obd1 and does not start. The M42 does not show that 1286 is a valid code for this engine though. I have searched all message boards, and all over internet. The problem shows up but the thread remains unanswered and vanishes (hopefully the thread author does not vanish also :eek: ). Any ideas would be helpful! BTW, please don't post the table of OBD codes as I practically have them memorized. The 1286 code is a knock control test pulse. TIA

[Hollywood Hamilton]

I am having this nearly IDENTICAL issue. Here is an exerpt of the issure I'm having:


The weird thing with my car did not throw a Check Engine Light at all. I'm gonna replace my DME as well, but the RPM sensor first.

I grounded out my old spark plugs with them out of my car and there was spark and plenty of it. I think mine is not firing at the right time.

It could be the brain or the sensor. The only thing throwing me is the CEL never came on and the only code in history is a 1272-Ignition Coil 2. When I pull the wire off of coil 2 it sputters, like there is a major change in ignition.

Basically here how it goes:


Engine Cyl (Pulling the wire from the spark plug):

4-No Change 3-Sputters 2-No Change 1-sputters

From the coils (taking the DME connector off of the coils):

4-Sputters 3-No change 2-Sputters 1-No Change

(Counting back from the front of the car).


I am getting frustrated. I am driving my beastly truck and I miss my bimmer

[Hollywood Hamilton]

So, if anyone has a resolution to this, please post!

I am DYING over here :)

[krautcars]

Steve, strange how it sputters when you pull at different areas. The CEL comes on when you turn ignition I presume. try testing coil resistance and see how that looks. In the meantime cross your fingers for some wisdom to find out thread..

[Hollywood Hamilton]

No, the weird thing is that I get no CEL at all. When I pull off a good plug, it comes on, it's almost like there is spark there, just badly out of time.

Please somebody...Let us know what is going on. We have 3 of us waiting.

BTW-Now I have nothing. It cranks and that's it. Battery is dead because of it now :(

[Hollywood Hamilton]

Anyone have any resolution?

[krautcars]

Does anyone have, or has anyone seen, a table or chart that shows, based upon what error code a car has, what you should look at and/or diagnose and what may be the usual fixes for a given code. That would be a huge help and save much space on this board. Once it was compiled a mod could sticky it at top so instead of answering the same questions over and over send'em to the table. When I figure out what this 1286 code is I can start with that as I will be code 1286 savvy. Speaking of which..the mystery still remains. And our cars are still mocking us :rolleyes . At least mines is.

[jiggynites]

hehe 1286 is nothing all it states is that your computer did a self knock test on the car and found it working, that code is useless. remove your negative on your battery,replace it after a few seconds, and it should give you a code 1444=nothing wrong.

if your car doesnt start take a good day to go over everything.
spark plugs/wires/electrical
any loose connections especially grounds
check maf sensor make sure no leaks and the rubber intake
elbow has no holes,crack.
check all vacums.
check grounds to alternator.
CHECK STARTER AND GROUNG
4get about stuff like the 02 sensor,fans,fluids, cause the car will crank up with ease without them.

[Tiptronik]

I am having this nearly IDENTICAL issue. Here is an exerpt of the issure I'm having:


The weird thing with my car did not throw a Check Engine Light at all. I'm gonna replace my DME as well, but the RPM sensor first.

I grounded out my old spark plugs with them out of my car and there was spark and plenty of it. I think mine is not firing at the right time.

It could be the brain or the sensor. The only thing throwing me is the CEL never came on and the only code in history is a 1272-Ignition Coil 2. When I pull the wire off of coil 2 it sputters, like there is a major change in ignition.

Basically here how it goes:


Engine Cyl (Pulling the wire from the spark plug):

4-No Change 3-Sputters 2-No Change 1-sputters

From the coils (taking the DME connector off of the coils):

4-Sputters 3-No change 2-Sputters 1-No Change

(Counting back from the front of the car).


I am getting frustrated. I am driving my beastly truck and I miss my bimmer
Aren't these coil packs waste spark? If they are then that would explain the stumble with certain ignition wires disconnected.

As for code 1286, I got this code on my 1995 318i, with no "Check engine" light on. Cleared the code and no problems. It was in there but the car ran fine.

[Hollywood Hamilton]

Dont understand whatcha mean by waste spark...

See, now I have nothing at all.

Gotta be the DME in my case.

[krautcars]

Tip and Jiggy, killer info :buttrock . I will reset obd (pull neg batty term) and go the regular route of troubleshooting. You have done what has not ever been done in history of 1286 code threads across all forums...answered it :alright