different fault codes

njedge · 12-03-2011, 10:46 AM

Hi..
i have a 97 528i and has several fault codes which I got from Auto Zone. Not sure if their diagnostic tool is compatible but these are the codes. Dont have the cash right now to bring to a dealer for codes..
p1250 , p0134, p0170, p1188 & p0440

Any help would be great..
thanks

Jared at Pelican Parts · 12-05-2011, 07:27 AM

These are the same codes you would get from BMW. OBD-2 is standardized. You can look up the codes on Google as well. The codes don't specifically tell you what the problem is, but usually point in the direction of the problem.

P1250 is a fuel pressure or level related fault.
P0134 means one (or more) oxygen sensor is not functioning/no signal detected.
p0170 is a fuel trim fault, probably related to the above two.
P1188 is an oxygen sensor fault/lean coniditon
p0440 means evaporator purge fault (emissions related)

How is the car running, what is it doing?

njedge · 12-05-2011, 09:29 AM

Thanks Jared.
Well it runs ok off and on but most recently once it warms up it start shuddering at around 60mph. Then in will kind of lose power and really bogs down. I can punch it and it seems to go away. Not running well and sometimes at stop or light it will start running real rough and shake a lot. It starts and idles fine though. Real quiet. Thought I heard a faint hissing..could that be a vacuum hose?
Also- about a montha go I replaced the plugs using Bosch Platinum 2 (4 prongs). The guy at Auto Zone told me I should not have used them because they burn out the O2 sensors. Is this true?
Thanks for your help

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared at Pelican Parts

These are the same codes you would get from BMW. OBD-2 is standardized. You can look up the codes on Google as well. The codes don't specifically tell you what the problem is, but usually point in the direction of the problem.

P1250 is a fuel pressure or level related fault.
P0134 means one (or more) oxygen sensor is not functioning/no signal detected.
p0170 is a fuel trim fault, probably related to the above two.
P1188 is an oxygen sensor fault/lean coniditon
p0440 means evaporator purge fault (emissions related)

How is the car running, what is it doing?

njedge · 12-05-2011, 09:35 AM

Also- If it is the O2 sensor. Will the car run that bad?

vetaldj · 12-20-2011, 04:02 PM

I had bad pre-cat O2 in same car (1997 528i) and never have any problem like that, but I didn't have all those codes... People say that it will get bad gas mileage but mine didn't increase a bit after replacement but I think it's the way I drive - 3 miles constant stop and go on traffic lights... can't squeeze more than 12 mph, on highway I get 32mph though.

njedge · 12-29-2011, 12:08 PM

Thanks Vetalj!!