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Thread: I really, really like this car but....

  1. #1
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    I really, really like this car but....

    I really love this car, i've already spent like 3k on it replacing parts and upgrades but i still have the damn p1188 code. So far i've replaced the fuel presure regulator, fuel filter, both 02 sensors and the check engine light was off for like 150 miles, then i was like, ok im sure it will pass the smog check now. Took it to the smog center, the guy connected his scanner and told me that 3 monitors were not ready, went ahead with the smog test and it failed it, the guy told told me that the computer is not running diagnostics to those 3 monitors and the results of the test says that the air injection failed. After i drove off from the test center, the traction control, abs and check engine lights came on. Like, what the hell? Pinche carro mamon....
    Car is a 98 2.8 with 54k miles.
    Last edited by hondaspeedf1; 06-03-2024 at 12:46 AM.

  2. #2
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    Oh man, you're harshin' my mellow.

  3. #3
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    Since the P1188 is related to the air/fuel ratio and you have already changed a bunch of stuff, in my mind, it could be a bad cat. Also, if the inspection was done on rollers, it can cause the ABS/DSC light to come on, but it should go off again after a few minutes of driving.
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  4. #4
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    What were the results of your pressurized smoke test of the intake system?
    -Abel

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  5. #5
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    You only spent $3k? Talk to me when you're in the 5-figure cohort (this is with me doing most of the work). These are old cars and can be costly to get back to running condition.
    Tony
    "You can't sign away negligence."

  6. #6
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    I've spent double what I paid for mine and it wasn't really all that bad when I got it. ��

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by khammack View Post
    Since the P1188 is related to the air/fuel ratio and you have already changed a bunch of stuff, in my mind, it could be a bad cat. Also, if the inspection was done on rollers, it can cause the ABS/DSC light to come on, but it should go off again after a few minutes of driving.
    Yes, it was done on rollers and they turned off after some driving. I dont even wanna know how much a new cat is.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Shadowjack1020 View Post
    I've spent double what I paid for mine and it wasn't really all that bad when I got it. ��
    Im getting there dude, is it all good now?

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by ProductUser View Post
    You only spent $3k? Talk to me when you're in the 5-figure cohort (this is with me doing most of the work). These are old cars and can be costly to get back to running condition.
    I knew before hand that i was gonna spend more than the cost of the car, funny thing is that the car runs very well, its just the stupid check engine light.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hoyt Clagwell View Post
    Oh man, you're harshin' my mellow.
    I know dude, but its such a nice car that is totally.worth throwing some k's into it.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by khammack View Post
    Since the P1188 is related to the air/fuel ratio and you have already changed a bunch of stuff, in my mind, it could be a bad cat. Also, if the inspection was done on rollers, it can cause the ABS/DSC light to come on, but it should go off again after a few minutes of driving.
    Scanners says is fuel control bank sensor 1

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by 328 Power 04 View Post
    What were the results of your pressurized smoke test of the intake system?
    So by the scanner the car was having a vacuum leak, the shop did the smoke and found a couple of leaking, replace them but i dont know if they did a intake sistem test.
    After having 3 codes, now i only have 1 after replacing hoses and other parts.
    Maybe the shop only did a smoke test for.vacuum leaks and not a intake sistem one?
    I thought a smoke test was like overall test.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by hondaspeedf1 View Post
    Yes, it was done on rollers and they turned off after some driving. I dont even wanna know how much a new cat is.

    - - - Updated - - -


    Im getting there dude, is it all good now?

    - - - Updated - - -


    I knew before hand that i was gonna spend more than the cost of the car, funny thing is that the car runs very well, its just the stupid check engine light.
    Wait, u already spent 5k and you did most of the work? This is bad new 4 me, i've spent those 3k between shop work and 1300 in coil overs oh god.

  10. #10
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    Today i've found a wire in the engine bay that is connected to the frame but it does not have a nit to secure it. Also there is a hose that runs from the oil filter casing to idk where that is full of oil. Like, its leaking oil and the power strearing conteiner is full of oil on the outside
    Is that hose the oil return line?

  11. #11
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    I don't know the answer to that question, but if you haven't done a smoke test, you are completely in the dark about the state of the intake system, and potentially your tail. There are plenty of videos online showing how to do it for cheap.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by BladeRunner919 View Post
    I don't know the answer to that question, but if you haven't done a smoke test, you are completely in the dark about the state of the intake system, and potentially your tail. There are plenty of videos online showing how to do it for cheap.
    Well turnns out that the computer is the issue here, not tellimg 1 of the 02 sensors to heat up.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by khammack View Post
    Since the P1188 is related to the air/fuel ratio and you have already changed a bunch of stuff, in my mind, it could be a bad cat. Also, if the inspection was done on rollers, it can cause the ABS/DSC light to come on, but it should go off again after a few minutes of driving.
    Turned out to be the ecu not talling 1 of the 02 sensors to heat up.

  13. #13
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    I had similar weirdness and it also turned out to be the computer. Got one off eBay for $50 and just needed Able's help to get the keys coded for it using INPA.
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  14. #14
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    I really really really really really doubt it's your computer based on a P1188 code.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by 328 Power 04 View Post
    I really really really really really doubt it's your computer based on a P1188 code.
    So seem likee i need to get a win laptop and that INPA progeam, right?

  16. #16
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    Yup

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by sleeperz View Post
    Yup
    On it, so i need to adjust the fuel parameters using the app, where do i get the right parameters from?
    Tnx

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by hondaspeedf1 View Post
    On it, so i need to adjust the fuel parameters using the app, where do i get the right parameters from?
    Tnx
    No. I'm not even sure how you came to that conclusion

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  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by BimmerBreaker View Post
    No. I'm not even sure how you came to that conclusion
    Oh ok. Im new to cars. So what shoyld i do then.
    Tnx

  20. #20
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    So i went to the dealership and made an appointment for 340 bucks for diagnostic what is wrong with the car. More money into the pit.
    Went to several auto electric shops and no1 wants to touch the car.

  21. #21
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    Did you ever load INPA on a laptop and set it up with a proper cable? Old Windows 10 laptops are pretty cheap used.
    It is really not that hard to do and then you can be the diagnostic tech for a lot of issues. I have an expensive Foxwell coding/diag tool that I use for the hobby car work I do, but I use INPA for the old BMW's. It's worth the small investment in time. $340 bucks would have gotten a nice laptop and cable for INPA.

  22. #22
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    In addition to that, even if you don't have an old windows laptop, I loaded a free download of windows 10 on a 10+ year old macbook air running bootcamp and got INPA set up for the ~$10 that it costs to buy the cable off ebay...

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by hondaspeedf1 View Post
    So i went to the dealership and made an appointment for 340 bucks for diagnostic what is wrong with the car. More money into the pit.
    Went to several auto electric shops and no1 wants to touch the car.
    Don't take this the wrong way, but if this is your approach you probably aren't going to keep this car, so I would just sell it on. They are not hard to work on, but it sounds like you're not really up for following the advice of the very experienced people on the forum, and you're going to throw money at it and then get fed up. Better to get out now.

  24. #24
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    Definitely need to load INPA and get a cable.
    If you start paying stealership prices you are doomed.
    These cars aren't super complicated but there is a learning curve.
    If you use search on this forum you will likely find everything you ever need.
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  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by BladeRunner919 View Post
    Don't take this the wrong way, but if this is your approach you probably aren't going to keep this car, so I would just sell it on. They are not hard to work on, but it sounds like you're not really up for following the advice of the very experienced people on the forum, and you're going to throw money at it and then get fed up. Better to get out now.
    Honestly solid advice. I'm not even sure what he means by "auto electric shops" ? There aren't any shops that specialize in automotive electronics near me and haven't heard of that before. It should have gone to a qualified, reputable independent BMW mechanic in the area. Most the techs at the dealer were probably not even born yet when the Z3 came out and may not have the knowledge to work on cars from that vintage.

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