M6 Issue?

JonnybravoM3 · 13th November 2010, 15:26

Hi all

Just experienced something strange with my M6. Braked to pull into my garage and shifted to first at low rpm and as i pulled into my garage slowly, the whole car just started vibrating!? After I pulled in, I decided to switch the car off for 5 minutes and try again, so popped it into reverse and reversed slowly and the car just started vibrating again --- quite a violent vibration!

Whats the problem? Something to worry about??

I hope they don't have to reflash my ECU now if I take it to the dealer!

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

EDIT: FYI no warning signs popped up at all.

Also, vibration seems to be coming from the rear of the car. like something is loose and vibrating.

autodoc · 13th November 2010, 18:19

sounds like you might want to call your service center,and based on the cars you own,you should have a good relationship with a shop close by.....is engine running rough??? Engine misfire will cause roughness but would must likely turn on service light.....broken/grounded tranmission/engine/exhaust mount would give similiar feeling. Without seeing condition first hand in person it would be very hard to give correct diagnosis.

JonnybravoM3 · 13th November 2010, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by autodoc

sounds like you might want to call your service center,and based on the cars you own,you should have a good relationship with a shop close by.....is engine running rough??? Engine misfire will cause roughness but would must likely turn on service light.....broken/grounded tranmission/engine/exhaust mount would give similiar feeling. Without seeing condition first hand in person it would be very hard to give correct diagnosis.

Many thanks for your reply. Its really getting to me and kind of bumming me out. Engine isn't running rough at all, purring like a kitten. I went out for a long drive today and all was great, even stopping and moving again from red lights and traffic, all was fine, only when I came home and was pulling into my garage car started vibrating and jittering violently from the rear end. Making a similar sound as though you are carrying a silver tray with metal objects on it and you're shaking the tray. Kinda seems like the exhaust may be loose and vibrating violently (but I don't understand how that could have happened). As a result whole car started vibrating. I switched it off for a while, and then on again and tried to reverse, same problem so I put it back and left it there. I texted a bunch of the guys I know who work at the dealership but no-one has gotten back to me yet.

Unfort I guess I have no choice but to put her on a flat-bed tomorrow and go to the dealer. I really hope this isn't a software issue the dealer has to reflash my ECU or somehting and I end up losing my CA Auto remap! I also don't have any warning lights or anything. I hit the button for a system check and it gave me the OK.

I don't know if it could be caused by my filling up with gas today maybe the fuel was lower grade than normal -- no clue. Maybe also on my way home I passed by a small tunnel and I downshifted like 2 gears for a nice big rev and it hit redline around 8,000rpm-ish (didn't mean to do that) for half a second until I moved back up in gears -- maybe that could have done something.

I'm obsessing I know -- but all my forum and google searches have given me zero results. And although I like to drive hard at times, I never abuse the car. Have owned her since Jan '09 (so warranty still valid!) and yet have not once, ever, done a launch control. I've also recently changed my tires, but new PS2s on the car and have never tracked the car.

So I'm confused, and definitely think its time for a beer.

David Ajax III · 13th November 2010, 21:34

I would not worry too much about touching the redline; many of us do that several times per day, both upshifting and down. But definitely have the Stealership check it out. Not sure you need a flatbed if it purrs like a furry pussy.

JonnybravoM3 · 13th November 2010, 21:51

Just had a buddy of mine over who's a part-time mechanic and we took a quick run around the block. Noise and vibration go away completely once you start driving properly so I don't think its too serious. He said that although it would be easier to tell what the problem is if he could get under the car and basically start feeling the parts for a rattle, he believes from what he's heard and felt its either the drive-shaft or the rear diff but most likely the rear diff that needs a change. Wonder if this is a warranty job. Either way will check it out tomorrow morning at the stealers. Hope they have necessary parts in stock and don't have to order anything -- we have a public holiday coming up this tuesday for the rest of the week so if the car's gonna be in the shop during this time, it'll be a big shame!

I don't think it's a good idea to drive it if the diff may need changing right? Might make things worse I think.

Thanks for your support guys.

David Ajax III · 14th November 2010, 00:36

Believe it or not, it might be the differential fluid. There is a BMW service bulletin out on that. My diff was making noises on sharp turns and I had the Stealership change the fluid with their special Space Shuttle diff fluid, and all noise went away. Make sure they look up the service advisory. Here's the link from awhile back:

weird sound from the steering !!!

JonnybravoM3 · 14th November 2010, 09:02

Ok so took the car to the dealership this morning and had them check the car. As soon as I took the mechanic for a short drive, he said -- CLUTCH - SMG! I told him to lift the car and take a look first. So they did and came back to me with, we checked the rear diff, bushings and drive shaft and all seem fine. We will run a diagnostics now and get back to you as it is likely to be something related with the SMG or clutch. They ran the diagnostics -- results were inconclusive. So they told me that I had to keep the car with them for "further observation" and that they were likely to have to get in contact with Munich and I don't know what else. To be honest, they seemed as dumbfounded as I am, I was hoping that they would impress me a little and after an hour and a half of checking the car at least come back to me with something. But no.

Now fine if they decide it is the SMG, then I hope they fix it or replace the clutch or whatever it is. Just hoping they don't decide to reflash or reset or update my software, I instructed them not to. But if it's a last resort its a last resort. If they do reset the SMG software after a clutch or tranny change, that would generally reset my CA Auto remap on the ECU wouldn't it? I don't want to lose the tune which I paid a lot of money for and which I've enjoyed for almost a year as I know I'll get bored having to experience a lack of power from the level to which I have grown accustomed!

carrisco · 14th November 2010, 09:17

This is why I prefer Dinan to other ECU tunes -- once you've paid for it, you can have it re-flashed at any time. There are no limits or extra charges. Yes, it's more expensive than most upfront, but who needs the hassles and worries about losing the program later on?

Hope it works out for you. It doesn't sound like something the ECU should be involved in, luckily.

-b.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnybravoM3

Ok so took the car to the dealership this morning and had them check the car. As soon as I took the mechanic for a short drive, he said -- CLUTCH - SMG! I told him to lift the car and take a look first. So they did and came back to me with, we checked the rear diff, bushings and drive shaft and all seem fine. We will run a diagnostics now and get back to you as it is likely to be something related with the SMG or clutch. They ran the diagnostics -- results were inconclusive. So they told me that I had to keep the car with them for "further observation" and that they were likely to have to get in contact with Munich and I don't know what else. To be honest, they seemed as dumbfounded as I am, I was hoping that they would impress me a little and after an hour and a half of checking the car at least come back to me with something. But no.

Now fine if they decide it is the SMG, then I hope they fix it or replace the clutch or whatever it is. Just hoping they don't decide to reflash or reset or update my software, I instructed them not to. But if it's a last resort its a last resort. If they do reset the SMG software after a clutch or tranny change, that would generally reset my CA Auto remap on the ECU wouldn't it? I don't want to lose the tune which I paid a lot of money for and which I've enjoyed for almost a year as I know I'll get bored having to experience a lack of power from the level to which I have grown accustomed!

JonnybravoM3 · 14th November 2010, 09:24

Thanks very much for the msg. Well CA Auto told me initially when I had it done that they will reflash it for free in case it is reset. That's not my worry. My issue is that I live in Bahrain and CA Auto is based in the UK. A bunch of us ///M owners brought the CA Auto team all the way here from the UK to tune our cars at one of our local garages that has a dyno. So in the event that it needs to be reset, my only option would be to unplug and courier the ECU over to them to reflash it and send it back -- which I don't know the first thing about doing and don't want to ruin the car in the event I had to resort to that! lol

carrisco · 14th November 2010, 09:34

Wow -- that's too bad & certainly a big hassle. It's too bad that your local shop or another performance center isn't interested in having the ability to sell the custom ECU programs. It seems they'd have a corner on the market.

Nevertheless, it's good to hear that CA Auto is fair and easy to work with in the event of a re-flash being needed.

-b.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnybravoM3

Thanks very much for the msg. Well CA Auto told me initially when I had it done that they will reflash it for free in case it is reset. That's not my worry. My issue is that I live in Bahrain and CA Auto is based in the UK. A bunch of us ///M owners brought the CA Auto team all the way here from the UK to tune our cars at one of our local garages that has a dyno. So in the event that it needs to be reset, my only option would be to unplug and courier the ECU over to them to reflash it and send it back -- which I don't know the first thing about doing and don't want to ruin the car in the event I had to resort to that! lol