ghost problem

[1999 323i]

My 323i has what my dealer is calling a ghost problem, it been in the shop for two weeks, and they can't find out why the car Misfires The fault codes are #238 misfire cyl 1 #252 no description #239 misfire cyl 2 and #241 misfire cyl 4. The car has 57,500 miles I bought it new from this BMW dealer and service it there. the car has never had a problem before.
so far they have replaced the crankcase vent valve, changed the oil and installed a new main computer. none of this has worked, the problem comes and goes. Can anybody out there help?

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

First off, i wouldnt assume that the dealer has all the answers, every time I've gone to the dealer for parts i couldnt get otherwise, I usually ended up teaching them something. I've found that independent shops usually know more than the dealer. Typically, replacing the computer is a last ditch effort for someone who hasnt gone through all the diagnostic work of trying to determine what the problem is. Sometimes, it is as simple as tightening connectors and making sure the battery terminals are clean. I've never heard of a "ghost problem". Can you describe the symptoms of whatsd going on? What was the initial problem? you tell me that the codes say misfire, but a multitude of things can cause that.

[1999 323i]

Thanks for your post, the car was and has run fine, one day Iam driving down the road about 40 mph and the motor losses about a third of its power and I can tell the motor is running rough. I pushed in the clutch and rev the motor acouple of times but that did nothing by this time Iam pulling up to a stop light the motor is idling at about 4 to 5 rpm's but not stalling. I pull away from the light and the car is driving but rough and not full power. This goes on for about a mile and it stops, when it started the problem the engine light came on and didn't go out even with the car running fine, so I am thinking I have to take it in the shop, OK fine. The next day the car is running fine and the light is out, ok fine. later that day it start all over same thing. by the time I take to the shop it is running fine but the light is still on, thats when they put a new crankcase vent value in and changed the oil. I pick up the car and the next day it all starts again the same way and by the time I get the car back to the shop the engine light is still on but the engine had smoothed out again they take the car back and labeled it a "ghost problem" the error codes are the same but now its show misfires on all cyl. they ask me if I run out of gas. I had not. then they replaced the master computor. I before I picked the car up it start doing again when they test drove it. now they don't know what is making the car misfire. and its been in the shop for two weeks this last time. I love the car I just want it fixed.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

And the dealer has no idea what the problem is?

[1999 323i]

That is what they have told me and when they figure it out they would let me know

[1999 323i]

It is at Baron BMW

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I'll bet it turns out to be something really simple that the mechanics overlooked, such as a loose cable or something. It appears that the problem is ignition related, So I would start doing the obvious things like checking coils, sensors, plugs, etc...

[1999 323i]

Thanks I hope they find it soon too

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Just be sure to ask them to tell you exactly what they did, and to show you any parts they replaced. By law they have to. I've always been a bit suspicious of any stealership repairs. I find it kinda unporfessional that they would say they dont know what is casing this after two weeks. Is the car still under warranty? I hope so

[1999 323i]

NO its not

[1999 323i]

and I don't know much about BMW's

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I would get your car out of there and take it to an independent shop, but thats just me. I would not settle for my car being in the dealership for two weeks, and not have an answer. It alsmost sounds like the car is not a priority because it not still under warranty. Sounds like they are just trying to make a profit. There is a lot of money in service writing.

[1999 323i]

ok should I just call them and tell them I want my car back?

[Eli at Pelican Parts]

I personally think that if ANYONE not just the dealership cannot trouble-shoot any problem within a couple of days they may be wasting your time.

I’d personally take the car to an independent BMW shop. What’s the worst that can happen? Nothing, it’s kind of like a second opinion, besides I’ve found though the years that many of the independent shops have well experienced mechanics that have come from the dealerships and tend to have the short cuts on solutions vs. the expensive “swap-outs” that you’ll find at most dealerships.

I’ve done this in the past 2-3 times and each time I’ve taken my car out for a second opinion I’ve gotten the problem resolved within 48 hours. I’d hate to bore you but the last time this happened I took my car in and was given a quote of $700.00 to fix a vacuum leak. I then took it to an-other shop they spend the better part of 20 minutes to fix the problem and a simple $50.00 plus a handshake made me a happy man!

Hope this helps you find happiness for your ride!

Keep us tuned-in….

[1999 323i]

Thanks for the post Eli

[1999 323i]

I just called the service man and he told me that they are trying thing that a field enginer is telling them to do and the first three have not worked

[1999 323i]

they are working on it right now

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Souds fishy to me. I'd call around for independent shops and see if any of them will take a look. If it were me, I'd have the car out of there 13 days ago. It should not take two weeks to diagnose a problem, especially at a dealer, where they have access to TIS, ETK, as well as all the factory manuals. Are you paying them by the hour?

[1999 323i]

they told me when they changed out the main computer it was going to be covered by warranty but because that was not the problem Iam not sure I do have a new 5 series that they are letting me drive

[1999 323i]

they have not said it would be an per hour charge to find out what the problem is