Do I need new "sensors" for this?

[BMW4phillygirl]

I have a 2001 325i and it's got 55,000 miles on it. For the past few weeks it's been having trouble turning over when I first get in and start the car. It will happen at any time during the day, not limited to first thing in the morning. It will take me maybe 3 tries and then I can go. It's happened maybe 3 times over the last 3-4 weeks and the "Check Engine Soon" light just came on about 10 days ago, and then disappeared after 5 minutes.

I finally took it in this morning to the mechanic who is now working on my car (since it's out of warranty and the dealer is so expensive). And, he just called me and spewed a bunch of stuff I don't get. He basically says it's not a "mechanical" problem, but an "electronic sensor" problem and I have to replace the "intake and outtake" sensors at $186 each (times 2) plus labor.... all told about $462.

Has anyone else had to do this?

A friend suggested that maybe my battery is just low or something... but wouldn't the mechanic just tell me if that were the case? Do you think I'm just being overly paranoid since I'm a young woman? I just want someone else to tell me that this is "normal" before I go ahead with the work. Thanks!

 

[Kirby]

Wheh you say it has trouble turning over - are you saying that it cranks fine but fails to start and run; or are you saying that it cranks very slowly, like it is laboring to even TRY to start.

If it cranks very slowly it's the battery. If it cranks fast but will not start, then it's a fuel or ignition problem.

It sounds like he might be refering to the oxygen sensors? Does that sound familiar?

 

[epj3]

A low battery won't cause a check engine light. It's probably the O2 sensor (as kirby has said). I've gone through a few o2 sensors and the problems you have are what I had. The price sounds about right... it sucks, doesn't it?

 

[Steve Neu]

It is not likely the O2 sensors. The car in in open-loop when starting up and does not look at the O2 sensors until they warm up.

More likely is a crank position sensor of some sort.

Steve

 

[Kirby]

I agree that the O2 sensors control loop is probably open on a cold start, but since her mechanic specifically referred to two sensors - intake and outake - it seems HE thinks its the O2 sensors.

Also, I agree that a low battery won't cause the Check Engine light. BUT she said that the light only came on 10 days ago, while she has had the problem for 3 or 4 weeks. I'd still like to know how strong the engine is cranking to determine what she means by "trouble turning over".

 

[Steve Neu]

O2 sensors are only in the exhaust--they are for mixture control. There is little chance that they are the cause of the "nostart"

Steve

 

[wood_e]

Ok, to put a stop to the speculation... go to an AutoZone and have them pull the trouble codes (they do this for free).

EDIT: I highly doubt that an o2 sensor would cause a hard start problem. Might be a cam sensor... Anyway... get the codes read!

 

[bmwrocks]

Ok, to put a stop to the speculation... go to an AutoZone and have them pull the trouble codes (they do this for free).

EDIT: I highly doubt that an o2 sensor would cause a hard start problem. Might be a cam sensor... Anyway... get the codes read!

Are you joking? DO NOT take your BMW to Autozone for a diagnosis. I'll do that right after I take my Ferrari to Jiffy Lube for an oil change.

 

[wood_e]

Are you joking? DO NOT take your BMW to Autozone for a diagnosis. I'll do that right after I take my Ferrari to Jiffy Lube for an oil change.

No sir I am NOT joking. Have you ever actually tried to have them scan codes? Do you know anything about OBD-II? I'm not saying have the guys there try and help you fix anything, I'm saying have them pull the codes so you know what is causing issues then probably take it to the dealer or an independent BMW mechanic/shop.

 

[bmwrocks]

You can let them plug into your Taurus, but my car would be covered with 10 ft. pole marks at Autozone. That's just me. Let me know what they find.

 

[wood_e]

You can let them plug into your Taurus, but my car would be covered with 10 ft. pole marks at Autozone. That's just me. Let me know what they find.

I bet you have ample money to pay the stealer prices as well....

First off I can read my codes by jumping 2 connections under my hood however I went over there with my friend's E36 and they had no trouble finding the data port, and there were positivley no adverse effects on the car by having them pull codes. My friend wanted to know why his CE light was coming on and he found out for free. Now I am in college and I enjoy working on my own cars (and my friends cars) and I try to do the job right, and in a cost effective manner.

If BMW4phillygirl has ample money lying around to pay dealer prices then she should go to the dealer, however if she is strapped for cash I have no reason to think that it would harm BMW4phillygirl's E46.

Anyway... to each his own

 

[BMW-FW26]

A code is a code right? So who cares if you get it for free from Autozone? Or would you rather spend money you dont have to? Some of you are talking like MB owners.

 

[wood_e]

A code is a code right? So who cares if you get it for free from Autozone? Or would you rather spend money you dont have to? Some of you are talking like MB owners.

The diagnostic fee at the dealer is basically pulling engine trouble codes (for starters). Why pay the extra money to do that? Why not have your trouble codes already there and just tell them what needs replacing?

I say it's better to be informed of the problem you are expirencing before you take action upon it.

 

[epj3]

It is not likely the O2 sensors. The car in in open-loop when starting up and does not look at the O2 sensors until they warm up.

More likely is a crank position sensor of some sort.

Steve

That is absolutely not what I experienced with my E30. The check engine light comes on after running for about 10 seconds. It started (after cranking for about 10 seconds... usually it starts after about 3 cranks), begins to run though very poor (high but poor idle).

About getting your codes read for FREE. Autozone and your dealer's code readers are probably made by the exact same company. Autozone is free, the dealer wanted $76 to just READ the code which doesnt even include clearning it.

 

[BMW-FW26]

The diagnostic fee at the dealer is basically pulling engine trouble codes (for starters). Why pay the extra money to do that? Why not have your trouble codes already there and just tell them what needs replacing?

I say it's better to be informed of the problem you are expirencing before you take action upon it.

Exactly.

 

[bmwrocks]

Ok guys. Have fun at Autozone letting the cashier/technician touch your $45k BMW. Personally, I bring my BMWs out of warranty to my local quality BMW shop, they read the codes for free, then fix the problems. But that's just me. I am not being cocky, I just would never let an Autozone weenie touch my baby. Just wouldn't trust them. Hell, I get real nervous when my wife drives the car.

 

[BMW-FW26]

Ok guys. Have fun at Autozone letting the cashier/technician touch your $45k BMW. Personally, I bring my BMWs out of warranty to my local quality BMW shop, they read the codes for free, then fix the problems. But that's just me. I am not being cocky, I just would never let an Autozone weenie touch my baby. Just wouldn't trust them. Hell, I get real nervous when my wife drives the car.

Whats he gonna break? He plugs it in, code comes up, looks the code up, tells you what it is. Over paranoid if you ask me. I wouldnt mind saving a few bucks on my $60k car.