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Thread: E36 - slight jerking with error Codes P1188, P1189, and P1250

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    California
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    1997 BMW 328i

    E36 - slight jerking with error Codes P1188, P1189, and P1250

    Posting for the first time, so please bear with me

    The "check engine" warning lit up on my 1997 328i (185000 miles). Before I had a chance to check the error codes, it disappeared. In a few days (less than 100 miles of driving), it came back on again with slight loss of power and jerking. The ride is not smooth any more, slight jerking every once in a while, particularly when it is cold.

    I went to Autozone to get the error codes checked, they are:
    P1188 Fuel Control (Bank 1 Sensor 1)
    P1250
    P1189 Fuel Control (Bank 2 Sensor 1)

    The shopkeeper suggested to replace MAF sensor as it appeared on their computer system automatically. I found it odd since there are 3 codes, none of them mention MAF, and yet the suggestion is to replace it. Instead of replacing it right away, I wanted to try cleaning it.

    1) With electronic contact cleaner I cleaned the MAF sensor, air-dried for half an hour, and put it back. I drove for about 10 miles, the light didn't go off and the drive quality didn't improve.

    2) While the engine was running, I unplugged the MAF sensor cable, nothing changed. A youtube video I came across suggested that if the engine doesn't stall once you unplug the cable, it means the MAF sensor is faulty. So, I ordered one online, waiting for it to be delivered.

    Now, the questions:
    Does anybody have a similar experience?
    How can I make sure there is no vacuum leak?
    How can I make sure the fuel filter/pressure regulator or fuel pump is not causing the trouble?

    More importantly, does the generic OBD reader at Autozone work for BMWs?

    Thanks in advance,
    Novice DIYer

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,654
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    Moved to E36 general from E36 DIY
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    1,734
    My Cars
    1998 BMW 328i
    The maf sensor is part of the fuel control system so it could be the cause. Usually when the maf sensor goes bad the fuel trim will run lean across both banks.

    Edit: just saw you've already examined the sensor a bit. Check your intake boot for cracks as well

    Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk
    Last edited by XnWarden; 12-10-2018 at 11:36 AM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    California
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    1997 BMW 328i
    Thank you, XnWarden! Here is an update:

    The new MAF sensor came in the mail and I replaced it. Nothing changed. As I mentioned earlier, I had already cleaned it with electronic contact cleaner. So, it is probably not it.

    I took the intake boot out an visually examined it, it looks relatively new. I tried to patch together a smoke machine to see if there was any leak. It didn't work well. I will try to try it again.

    All said, the car doesn't feel very jerky now. Either I got used to it, or the code doesn't clean by it self. I ordered a code reader. I will try to reset the codes while trying to troubleshoot it.

    Does it make sense to change all the rubber hoses and fittings etc?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    1,734
    My Cars
    1998 BMW 328i
    I would have checked fuel pressure at the rail before anything. You should do that

    Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Tenerife, Spain
    Posts
    628
    My Cars
    1997 BMW E36 323i
    +1 on what XnWarden wrote.. Check fuel pressure.. If it's off (could be too high or too low; should be 3.5 bar under load and 2.8 at idle), then it could be the fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump or clogged fuel filter.

    You M52 fuel rail has a nice nipple to which you can connect a fuel pressure tester.


    1997 E36 BMW 323i
    (European) 275k km (171k miles), with following small mods:

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