SES Light after Header and Cats Installed - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

VanM · 6th July 2004, 10:25

Hi everyone,

I've installed my headers and SS cats for sometime now and the SES light continues to haunt me. I've taken the car back to have the light reset and it keeps coming back on. I know some of you here have done this mod and I'm wondering if you had the same problem and how did you solve it? Is the light coming on due to the increased flow? Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

XrayMD · 6th July 2004, 17:19

Read my previous post on this. Go to www.O2simulator.com and buy the dual simulator for $25 + 5.00 shipping. The post-cat O2 sensors are giving you an SES because of the increased airflow (catalytic efficiency code). This does not alter fuel management and is just an annoyance. The O2 simulator will take care of it and can be installed either under the car or by the DME.

VanCooper · 7th July 2004, 05:08

VanM: Was that you today on Granville street at 37th at around 3pm?

VanM · 7th July 2004, 07:34

Xray, thanks for clearing that up for me and also for the website. I've been to the website and will probably buy the sensor. You said in your post the sensor can be directly installed to the exhaust or to the DME. I'm not quite sure what you mean by that. Can you clarify it please. Thanks again.

gra8fuldd ed · 7th July 2004, 11:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanM

Hi everyone,

I've installed my headers and SS cats for sometime now and the SES light continues to haunt me. I've taken the car back to have the light reset and it keeps coming back on. I know some of you here have done this mod and I'm wondering if you had the same problem and how did you solve it? Is the light coming on due to the increased flow? Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

What .. or Who's Software are YOU using?

9 out of 10 times the proper Software will take care of your SES light.

VanM · 7th July 2004, 17:09

VanCooper, it was probably me that you saw on Granville as I was there around that time. I wasn't doing anything illegal was I?

VanM · 7th July 2004, 17:11

gra8fuldd ed,

I am using Powerchips software now.

gra8fuldd ed · 7th July 2004, 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanM

gra8fuldd ed,

I am using Powerchips software now.

Van:

I would've sworn that there is testimony on these boards to the fact that: Powerchip designed, wrote and had sold (Check Evosport site) Special Software that was specially written for the Supersprint Headers & CATS, ... either inconjunction with or for Evosport, ... and THAT software was suppose to deal with the SES light issue.

Van ... Do you have that special version of the Powerchip software that was specially written for the Supersprint Headers & the Supersprint Cats??

If you do NOT ... then YOU should contact the peeps at Powerchip and have them send you one of their Laptops with the "Special Software" on it and YOU can load it yourself.

Hopefully ... After you load, install and tweak the Special Software that was designed by Powerchip ... specifically for use with the NEW Supersprint Headers & Cats ... will be the end of your SES light problems!

XrayMD · 7th July 2004, 22:57

Ed...the SES light issue is not a Powerchip issue...I've been that route with them and I have the Powerchip software for the headers and racing cats. The problem is the post-cat O2 sensor can't deal with the increased flow and thinks that there is a catalytic efficiency problem and lights the SES light. The O2 simulator from www.O2simulator.com is a nice simple solution. THere are only four wires to hook up. The signal wire from the existing O2 sensor is cut and a new wire from the simulator is hooked up to the signal wire from the left and right cats. The third wire is hooked up to a switched +12 source and the fourth is ground. There are 4 wires coming from the actual O2 sensor. They are black, gray and two white wires. The black wire is the signal wire that you need. The gray wire is a ground wire. You leave the white wires alone. The are the heater circuit for the O2 sensor as it must be heated to 300 deg C to function properly. You can install the simulator under the car by the sensors or if you're adventurous, right in the DME compartment. I know that the signal wires are #16 and #18 going into the DME but I do not know which connector it is. It is not the same connector that the IATS relocation kit hooks up to. I will try to find out tomorrow.

Oh yeah....Van...there is the possibility of doing damage to your engine if you run WOT (wide open throttle) without the proper software. Check with Joel at Powerchip www.powerchipgroup.com

VanM · 7th July 2004, 23:06

Thanks for all the input guys. I do have the Powerchip software for the headers and cats. At least that's what I told them when I bought the program. From what I was told, the car runs too lean if the headers and cats are installed without the software. I suppose I'd have to buy the o2 simulator now. Thanks once again all. I'll let you know when I have this sorted out.