SES Light - Engine Failsafe Program Code

akiramats1 · 20th September 2006, 18:49

Guys,
I wanted to get your opinion and thoughts on the symptoms my car has experienced in the last two days. The SES Light came on and the panel read "Engine Failsafe Program"... Along with that I felt that the car was "heavy" and/or restrained. I ran a search of past posts on this subject and it appears that many of you have experienced similar circumstances.

Based on the search, the most common reasons for this to occur are:
-Cam shaft sensors
-MAFs
-Pulse generators
-O2 rings

There were other mentioned, but none seemed as prominent as the ones listed above.

I have scheduled an appointment for this upcoming Friday to have the car checked out at the dealership. I was wondering how should I approach this as in should I let the dealer diagnose the car, or should I suggest the possible reasons (as cited above) so that they make sure they check those areas since there seems to be a number of occassions when the dealer did not recognize these as problem areas.

Finally, my car is a MY00 and it is now on an aftermarket warranty, so I was wondering if anyone had an estimate of what the costs and/or if the costs would be covered by the warranty, which I have with AAA.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

-Akira

wilsodh · 20th September 2006, 19:07

Akira,

None of these are big ticket items and they should be covered under your warranty. I'd let the dealer make the diagnosis and keep in mind that it is probably one of the above. It might be interesting to see what he comes back with. As long as you have coverage, I wouldn't sweat it. In the future, always good to pull your own codes before going to a dealer (forewarned is forearmed)... get that Peake reader! (btw, I think the pulse generator is a different name for the cps.)

Good luck... let us know what happens.

Dave

Beamer_usa · 20th September 2006, 19:12

Keep us posted on the aftermarket AAA warranty coverage, and how easy/difficult it was to have warranty work performed - Good Luck

jclyman · 20th September 2006, 20:34

I would say as a general rule of thumb, the SA isn't going to listen to you regarding "what you think the problem is." He will listen to the symptoms (although some don't even do that), but we all know that SAs know more about BMWs than owners ... right?

You may have a great SA who will listen, but I wouldn't bank on it ... (I used to work for a BMW dealer).

akiramats1 · 27th September 2006, 00:52

Just wanted to provide an update on the car. The diagnosis was a bad throttle potentiometer.

So luckily, it does not appear to be anything major. I hope that that was the only problem.

I should get the car back tomorrow and I will let you guys know if the problem is truly fixed.

Thanks again for the help.

-Akira

Laidback · 27th September 2006, 01:09

Are Mafs usually covered by aftermarket warranty?

Beamer_usa · 27th September 2006, 05:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by laidbacknags

Are Mafs usually covered by aftermarket warranty?

Usually not, read the fine print on the contract.

MCarRacr07 · 27th September 2006, 06:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beamer_usa

Usually not, read the fine print on the contract.

I had my MAFS covered under a state warranty...BIG Thank You for the state of CT. When I purchased the car from a dealer in Simsbury CT....after about 3 weeks I start to get all the classic signs of MAF failure.....I bring it to my dealer in Greenwich..and they diagnose the MAFS.....not to worry says SA....under CT law any emissions issues are covered for 1 year or 12k miles....the selling dealer would have to cover the costs

being from NY I did not know this...and they DID cover all costs

....I lucked out.
Regards
MCar

PJS · 28th September 2006, 05:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by akiramats1

Just wanted to provide an update on the car. The diagnosis was a bad throttle potentiometer.

So luckily, it does not appear to be anything major. I hope that that was the only problem.

I should get the car back tomorrow and I will let you guys know if the problem is truly fixed.

Thanks again for the help.

-Akira

I had the same issue on my 03 -- engine failsafe mode, SES light etc... same diagnosis as well... Throttle Position Sensor or Potentiometer etc... took my car in on the 21st of this month, they replaced the TPS (and installed Dinan exhaust :-)))

Problem solved...

NOT so fast... driving to Blaine, WA today (2 hours north of SEA) engine failsafe mode and SES light... six days later... same symptoms... dropped it off tonight and told them to call me when it is fixed...

from the 21st to today, i probably dorve the car three times... today would be the fourth...

I am curious if the computer is going to tell the tech the same thing... TPS

Possibly I got a bad part and they will replace the same thing again... we'll see...

akiramats1 · 15th October 2006, 01:37

Was the dealer able to diagnose your car after you brought it back in again? I just got the SES light again. However, there was no Engine Failsafe error like the last time.

I am hoping to be able to bring the car in again this week.

-Akira