New owner needs a little advice please - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

joshwah1234 · 5th March 2009, 23:53

Hello.

Just bought my E39 M5. It is far better than I could have hoped for! I have learned a lot from the forum and bought myself a Peake code reader. I have a small problem though.

It has gone into limp home mode a few times, once whilst in 6th gear at around 110MPH, once in third at 5000 revs, once in fourth at 5000 revs.

It also runs very roughly if you drive off without letting it run for about a minute (gentle driving - low revs). After about a minute it runs fine.

I have run the PEAKE codes for the car and have got:

71 - Intake camshaft VANOS position control cyl # 5-8
AA - Secondary airsystem flow too long
69 - Engine coolant temp plausibility.

It has just had the oil service after it's Inspection 2 (so Inspection 1 due next, but not yet) and has done 95000 miles.

Can you tell me what to tell my friendly independent garage? Also, what do you expert chaps suggest that I change to keep my car happy?

Thanks again for all the fantastic advice.

Cheers!

M5 London · 6th March 2009, 00:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshwah1234

Hello.

Just bought my E39 M5. It is far better than I could have hoped for! I have learned a lot from the forum and bought myself a Peake code reader. I have a small problem though.

It has gone into limp home mode a few times, once whilst in 6th gear at around 110MPH, once in third at 5000 revs, once in fourth at 5000 revs.

It also runs very roughly if you drive off without letting it run for about a minute (gentle driving - low revs). After about a minute it runs fine.

I have run the PEAKE codes for the car and have got:

71 - Intake camshaft VANOS position control cyl # 5-8
AA - Secondary airsystem flow too long
69 - Engine coolant temp plausibility.

It has just had the oil service after it's Inspection 2 (so Inspection 1 due next, but not yet) and has done 95000 miles.

Can you tell me what to tell my friendly independent garage? Also, what do you expert chaps suggest that I change to keep my car happy?

Thanks again for all the fantastic advice.

Cheers!

Hey,

Welcome to the board !

Have you cleared the codes and they returned ?

Whats your temp gauge showing normally ? Checked the secret menu ?

Ignore your AA for now or forever ...

Your limp mode could be bad mafs especially also as you have some rough running.

It seems like an inlet cps is possibly failing and indirectly leading to the 71 code ....

Lets wait for the experts to chime in !

Thanks

Kumaran

TMcNasty · 6th March 2009, 01:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshwah1234

71 - Intake camshaft VANOS position control cyl # 5-8
AA - Secondary airsystem flow too long
69 - Engine coolant temp plausibility.

71 - If you're real lucky it's just a bad intake CPS (camshaft position sensor). The CPS' and VANOS solenoid interact w/ each other however and sometimes a bad "one" is really a bad "the other." You're slightly more unlucky if it's the VANOS solenoid because it is a more expensive part, but I think easier to change out. From there it could REALLY be a bad VANOS unit itself, but let's not even go there...yet. Search the forum for "CPS" and "VANOS solenoid" for now. CPS' go bad all the time here.

AA - Did you mean 'Secondary airsystem flow too low?' Search forum and the FAQ area for the phrase "carbon buildup."

69 - Most likely a bad coolant thermostat, but possibly a bad temperature sender. The sender is installed in the housing where the thermostat is located IIRC. Absolutely NO SHORTAGE of recent info. here on lazy/jammed open thermostats...seems like we all have one! Even my dealer changed mine last August at 81k miles. Luckily this one is easy to test for! All you need is cool ambient air...say 55F or less.
Gadget Freaks II: Fun you never knew you could have [secret menu]
Follow these instructions for unlocking the test modes on your cars instrument cluster. Start test #7 and take your warmed-up car out onto the highway. Your display for KTEMP should not drop below 79C. If it does that means your thermostat is either jammed open or responding slowly to changes in coolant temps. The replacement is supposedly a pain in your arse. Search forum for "thermostat."

AND read the first 1-2 pages of everything here!
E39 M5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

You in the UK? What kinda air temps do you have there nowadays?

joshwah1234 · 6th March 2009, 11:28

Hello gents

Thanks for the advice. I have cleared my codes and those three return every time.

It's around 8C / 46F here at the moment, so that could explain the temp code 69. I haven't got the TV monitor in my car - can I still access the secret menu? I have read a lot of people are having trouble with their temp sensors.

It was a typo on my part - secondary airflow too low.

Anything that anyone can add would be much appreciated. I would like to be able to go to the mechanic with a to do list if possible.

Many thanks!

M5 London · 6th March 2009, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshwah1234

Hello gents

Thanks for the advice. I have cleared my codes and those three return every time.

It's around 8C / 46F here at the moment, so that could explain the temp code 69. I haven't got the TV monitor in my car - can I still access the secret menu? I have read a lot of people are having trouble with their temp sensors.

It was a typo on my part - secondary airflow too low.

Anything that anyone can add would be much appreciated. I would like to be able to go to the mechanic with a to do list if possible.

Many thanks!

Hiya,

The secret menu will be shown in the display under the Speedo and Rev Counter.

Press and hold the right button for 4 seconds or so.

It then says Test 01. Then follow the instructions that TMcnasty linked you to in his post.

I can give you a HUGE list of things to do, essentially what I have done over the last 12 months, I reckon you should sort these codes out and keep driving her around for a bit and then see what real problems you have. Does it have a FULL BMW Service History ?

Rubber suspension bushings are a good starting point, and so are MAFS (TEST 4 will give you a better insight as to how these are performing)but lets see if anything has truly failed or is close to failing first.

Lets see some pictures of your car now please

Thanks

Kumaran

M5 London · 6th March 2009, 12:00

HIya,

i just PM'd you that long list anyway, but dont be scared off and sell your car though....

Also another quick visual check you could make is the rear anti roll bar bush mountings. Stick your head under the rear of the car. These mountings are notorious failure points !!

Thanks

Kumaran