Fault Code Reading and Reset

[Tim Polzin]

The car is a 95 318i.

Reading Wayne's tech article on "Reading BMW Fuel Injection Fault Codes" he states "When you finish reading the codes, you can reset the computer and clear them all out. Make sure that the last code (1000) has occured, and then press the gas pedal for more than 10 seconds. This should clear out the memory of the DME"

I am using the gas pedal/check engine light blinking process in reading the codes.

In my case, the same fault code is repeated over and over with 1000 apparently never appearing. Is it possible to get several fault codes in series?

Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks...Tim

[Wayne 962]

Hmm, I haven't heard of this problem, can you give more details?

-Wayne

[Tim Polzin]

Ok Wayne, a few more details.

Car is new to me last week, a 95 318i manual trans. Faults included lack of power above 3000 RPM, unstable idle, occasional puff of black smoke at start-up and intermittant "Check Engine" light. At that time, the fault code was "1222", lean/rich detect. I changed the O2 sensor and cleaned the ICV. This seemed to clear up the running problems, i.e., smooth idle @ 800 RPM, reasonable power throughout the rpm range and no smoke. I also very briefly started the engine without the boot from the throttle body to the AFM to check ICV function.

The check engine light no longer comes on except briefly when I first turn on the ignition but before starting (I assume this is normal). Reading the current fault code, I now get only "1215" which I believe was generated when I started the engine without the boot on. This code is now repeated over and over when I do "the ignition/gas pedal trick" (Thanks Eric, I like that term, and by the way, see you next month). I never see a terminal "1000" or "1444" code. The "check engine" light now never comes on while the engine is running.

My primary question is how do I clear this fault code?

Tim

[pangris]

Hello! I have a similar problem. My car flashed "1222" for SIX HOURS. I finally shut it down for fear of killing the battery or frying something. Didn't think it a good idea to have the car doing that for such a long time. I'd like to clear the codes and start from scratch myself. For all I know there are other codes and I have 11 years worth stored in there (1993 325i).

Still chasing my problem, too. Changed my plugs (Bosch plat+2s), cleaned the MAF and the throttle body. Got better for a short while - abotu 1 hour of driving time - and is crap again. Unsteady idle, occasional stall, no power when trying to get out of first gear unless I rev it to 2000+ and then drop the clutch, and mediocre power when accelerating.

[Tim Polzin]

For what ever it is worth, my check engine light has not come on in a month, and if I read the code, it still shows 1215, over and over again.

I'm beginning to believe the OBD I only shows the last code. I still have not figured out how to clear it, and quite frankly at this point, don't care.

Cheers.....