[d0pe.zhp]

Hi,

I've recently bought myself an '03 BMW E46 330ci, and now I'm encountering a few technical difficulties with it. I'm new to BMWs so bare with me.

While I was driving it home, a power steering hose cracked and spilled oil all over the engine compartment. Soon after, the DSC, EML and Brake lights lit up on my dash, and the car entered LIMP mode.

My guess is that the oil might have went through some connectors or such and now I have to clean them.

Another guess is that there might be a vacuum leak that is causing all this mayhem, as when I turn off the engine I hear a pressure release sound. Some say this sound is normal, some say it's a vacuum leak.

Anyway, while I was cleaning the engine bay, I noticed a hanging wire, not connected to anything and hopefully this might be the answer to the problem.

 

[Mango]

If you have eml, dsc, etc. it could be throttle body. looks like it's in that area and its missing the metal clip that locks it in

 

[Mango]

also check icv. not much else it could be in that area. that cable is too short

 

[2003silver330i]

Check the electric valve on the back of the intake manifold.

 

[d0pe.zhp]

also check icv. not much else it could be in that area. that cable is too short

Thanks for the support.

I've checked but it isn't from the icv, nor from the throttle body.

The plug has two pins. I've tried looking for a code on it and what I could manage to get is a number 13. The MAF plug has no. 7 on it, for instance.

 

[ashgotti]

Not sure what is that black, open hose/tube? I also have it and never knew what it was.

 

[d0pe.zhp]

Not sure what is that black, open hose/tube? I also have it and never knew what it was.

Are you talking about the one from the alternator?

 

[2003silver330i]

#5 in picture

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BD53&mospid=47713&btnr=11_2203&hg=11&fg=45

 

[d0pe.zhp]

#5 in picture

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BD53&mospid=47713&btnr=11_2203&hg=11&fg=45

Thanks, I'll look into it.

 

[ashgotti]

Sorry, should have posted a pic. http://imgur.com/Z7IUgTQ

 

[d0pe.zhp]

Sorry, should have posted a pic. http://imgur.com/Z7IUgTQ

That goes into the air filter box.

 

[ashgotti]

That goes into the air filter box.

Oops, didn't realize. I'm pretty sure my 2000 323i just had an open one I think on the passenger side of the engine.

 

[d0pe.zhp]

#5 in picture

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BD53&mospid=47713&btnr=11_2203&hg=11&fg=45

Is it accessible by hand?

 

[Mango]

I could name everything that has a plug on it since i've removed everything on the car at least a few times to clean and inspect it. but it would be faster to just look around as best you can with a flashlight. remove airbox. disa?

 

[d0pe.zhp]

I could name everything that has a plug on it since i've removed everything on the car at least a few times to clean and inspect it. but it would be faster to just look around as best you can with a flashlight. remove airbox. disa?

It's not the disa
I've been looking for the socket for 5 hours now. Even used my phone to film some of the least accessible areas and then review the footage hoping to find it. Haven't found that electric valve silver330i suggested. I think it's way back and really impossible to reach.

 

[willsbma]

You can reach that valve behind the manifold but you have to remove the trim panel behind it. Under/behind the cabin air filter housing.

 

[d0pe.zhp]

Check the electric valve on the back of the intake manifold.

Well, I'm speechless. There's no such thing on my car . Nor is the non-return valve (11611312737). So it seems that is where the cable should go.

That is where the electric valve should be.

Could all the mayhem(EML, DSC and brake light + limp mode, or even the vacuum leak) be caused by this? What do I do now?

I mean it's really weird. Only after 120 miles of driving it did all the problems begin, so if the car didn't have those 2 parts from the beginning, I don't think this should've caused it. But what do I know.

P.S. I did find a hole in the elbow tube, so that's part of the leak.

 

[Mango]

post a clearer picture of the source of the cable. you have a big tube blocking where its coming from. hard to see.

 

[willsbma]

It probably fell down? that clip is only plastic so maybe it broke

 

[d0pe.zhp]

It probably fell down? that clip is only plastic so maybe it broke

No, it can't be. The previous owner must've improvised something as the non-return valve is missing as well.