View Full Version : Help with codes


jess330
01-18-2008, 08:53 PM
I pulled these codes today after my "Service Engine Soon" light came on:

P1347 (freeze)- Misfire cylinder 3 w/ fuel cutoff.
P1353 (freeze)- Misfire cylinder 6 w/ fuel cutoff.
P0300 (freeze)- Random/multiple cylinder misfire.
P0300 (pending)-Random/multiple cylinder misfire.
* Possible fixes listed for P0300 were:
-Spark plugs
-HT leads
-Injectors
-Ignition coils
-Low compression
-Wiring

When I started my car last night, it was running really rough and the tach needle was kind of ticking, (like a clock's second hand after the batteries are dead.) then my light came on. Started it up this morning, no rough start up, no ticking tach needle, but the engine light remains on. It's a 2003 330ci with 49,000 miles on it.......What now?? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

GRIDLOCK
01-18-2008, 09:26 PM
Before you start throwing parts at it, get a smoke test done. Vacuum leaks are notorious for triggering all kinds of codes. Visual inspection of all your vacuum hoses helps too.

nathancarter
01-19-2008, 11:27 AM
Wow, misfire codes without any other codes, that's a hassle.
Note that P0300 is practically identical to P1347 and P1353. P0300 is a generic "misfire" code; the other two are BMW-specific codes that tell you what cylinder it was on, and that it cut off the fuel to that cylinder to prevent further misfires.

A vacuum leak will usually also give codes for a lean condition (such as P0174 and P0171). But, checking the vacuum lines & intake boots is a good idea.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=693261

My next guess would be bad coils, but I'd be surprised to see two go out at the same time, on a 2003 with only 49k. Fortunately, the test is free and relatively easy: swap the coils from cylinders #3 and #6 (#1 is closest to the radiator) with other cylinders, reset the light, drive around for a bit, read the codes again, and see if the problem moved with the coils.

Swapping spark plugs is relatively cheap, but shouldn't be necessary with only 49k unless they're somehow damaged. These spark plugs are good for 100k, although you can change them during Inspection II which is 60-70k.

Good luck, let us know what else you find out.