View Full Version : Need advise on SES issue...


brentj4
06-14-2008, 01:06 PM
I have a 2000 740i with 135k miles and it has been maintained very well. Last week I had my SES indicator come on and then I got the Trans Program Error Message and the car went into limp mode. I had the car repaired which including replacing the HVD Cont Unit and Cam Sensor along with a complete engine service. Basically $2,100 in repairs. The next day after picking the car up the SES came back on. I checked my gas cap and it is tight and I'm running 93 oct gas. I took it back and they reset the message and told me to drive to see if it would reset or come back on. In meantime, they began to prep me with a list of possible causes including air intake hose leak, manifold leaks, crankshaft sensor, or O2 Sensors. They replaced the Cam Sensor which may not been the problem or I may have concurrent problems. Seems unlikely but possible. I replaced my O2 sensors at about 105k and all hoses replaced as well...

So since the repair shop is closed on Sat and I want to make sure I'm getting solid advise and service. I found a different shop this morning where the owner drives a 740il and does his own service and repairs. He checked the codes and got a reading for 1A, 16, and 17. He told me the 1A the control unit assembly is low probability and that the most likely cause is the Cat Converters Code 16 & 17 and he suggested if the SES light comes back on to replace them. He suggested Hi-Flow Cats and could do both parts and labor for about $600. Need advise if I'm on right track. I've spent about 9k on repairs of almost all major items based on car mileage over the last 18 months or so. I beginning to wonder if the repairs will end. I have had excellent service the first 75-100k miles was just basically oil changes, tires, wiper blades, etc. I did have to replace my AC Blower at about 90k. Please advise me...

sleepy740
06-14-2008, 03:56 PM
welcome to the lovely world of owning an e38 with more than 100k miles!

:(

rviradia
08-05-2008, 06:46 PM
I have a 2001 540i w/ dinan maf, my SES light came few days after on after my mechanic had fixed a vacuum leak, so he ran another check and said it was most probably the MAF and I could buy the insert online and was an easy swap ($200, he even let me borrow the tool). Since he wasn't 100% sure I bought a peake tool and the codes returned were table 0F, codes 1A & 16 (mixture control, off idle Cyl #1-4 and PreCat 02 sensor aging, Cyl#5-8). Does it sound like the MAF only?

Thanks