Recall - Check Engine Lamp ON, O2 Trouble Codes/Deposits: Overview
Group 12Engine Electrical Systems
Bulletin Number
12 10 97
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
April 1998
Product Engineering
This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. 12 10 97 dated March 1998 which should be removed and discarded from your S.I. binder.
PERFORM THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS SERVICE INFORMATION ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES THE NEXT TIME THEY ARE IN THE SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPAIRS.
Changes to this revision are identified by a black bar and asterisks.
SUBJECT:
VOLUNTARY EXHAUST EMISSION SERVICE ACTION No. 98E-A01
MODEL:
E36 - M3 (Man/Auto) with S52 (3.2L) produced 1/96 - 11/97
E36 - 328i/iA with M52 (2.8L) produced 10/95 - 11/97
E39 - 528i/iA with M52 (2.8L) engine produced 2/96 - 11/97
Situation:
BMW of North America, Inc. has initiated a voluntary emission-related service action to correct vehicles that may be exceeding Federal and/or California Emissions Standards. A customer notification letter will be sent out by March 1998. This action will address the illumination of the "Check Engine" lamp and the following faults being set in the Engine Control Module (ECM/DME):
1. FC 229 - Control Frequency, Oxygen Sensor 1
FC 230 - Control Frequency, Oxygen Sensor 2
2. FC 235 - Heat output, oxygen sensor 3
FC 236 - Heat output, oxygen sensor 4
The above listed faults will set as a result of:
1. Certain deposits on the oxygen sensor can cause a slow-down of the sensor control frequency, which current software is not able to compensate for, and may lead to the illumination of the "Check Engine" light.
2. The feedback voltage from the O2 sensor heater to the ECM/DME is outside the expected voltage range and leads to the illumination of the "Check Engine" light.
Note:
With this programming update it is not necessary to replace the Oxygen Sensor(s) whenever any of the above listed faults are set.
In addition to addressing the above listed faults two labels need to be installed in the fuel filler cap area. These labels are being introduced to raise awareness of the fact that a loose or missing gas cap will cause the check engine light to illuminate. (Refer to SI 16 01 98 for more information).
Affected Vehicles:
This action involves E36 and E39 vehicles with M52 B28 (2.8L) and S52 B32 (3.2L) engines which were produced from 10/95 - 11/97.
The procedure given in this bulletin must be performed on all affected vehicles identified on DCS. (A copy of the letter which will be sent to all affected customers in a staggered mailing is attached to this S.I.)
In order to determine if a specific vehicle is affected by this action, it will be necessary to utilize the T1Service Menu' of the DCS (Dealer Communication System). Based on the response of the system, either proceed with the corrective action or take no further action.
The Chassis Number Ranges listed in the illustration are only for informational purposes and are not to be considered as the only deciding factor.
Correction:
In order to complete this action the Engine Control Module (ECM/DME) must be reprogrammed using the DIS or MODIC P12.0 programming software or higher (available as of CD 12).
Note:
The oxygen sensor is used to provide feed-back information to the ECM/DME in order to maintain the correct air/fuel mixture. Over-time deposits may occur on the precatalytic converter oxygen sensor which can cause a lean shift of the air/fuel mixture. While this lean shift does not noticeably affect driveablity, it has an adverse impact on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. In order to address this situation BMW has developed a new ECM/DME software program which will utilize the post catalytic converter oxygen sensor signal to monitor the pre- catalytic converter oxygen sensor, thereby allowing the ECM/DME to compensate for deposits which may occur.
Service Action Label Instructions
After the vehicle has been checked and corrected, obtain a label (SD 92-091) and with a ball point pen print your dealer code (5 digits) on the Service Action Completion Label (see illustration). An initial quantity of 100 labels will be sent to all BMW automotive retailers. Peel the label from its backing and affix it to the left front strut tower (in the engine compartment) next to the Vehicle Emission Control Label.
For California retailers only it is required by the California Code of Regulations that an executed orange "Vehicle Emission Recall - Proof of Correction" certificate (SD92-084 - see illustration) be provided to each customer (for vehicles registered in the state of California) once the Service Action on their vehicle has been completed. All California BMW automotive retailers will receive an initial quantity of certificates.
Note:
Additional labels can be ordered from Product Engineering (a pre-printed order form is enclosed).
Warranty Information:
Reimbursement for this Service Action will be provided through campaign entry without regard to vehicle age or mileage.
Defect Code: 00 12 16 01 00
Work Package # 1: Check/verify if ECM/DME has been reprogrammed (no
reprogramming required).
Labor Operation: 00 56 632
Labor Allowance: 3 FRU
Work Package # 2: Check/verify if ECM/DME has been reprogrammed &
Reprogram DME
Labor Operation: 00 51 797
Labor Allowance: 7 FRU