no start, dies after catching

[j88 csl]

Hi chaps,

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction before I call on my insurance recovery.

I ran my car to around 18 miles to go on the fuel gauge, parked up, left if for around 4 hours and then returned to start her up. Or not.

I get a high pitched beep (not the one to say the doors open or the car isn't in first gear when you turn the ignition off) and the yellow engine light stays lit. I put it in neutral and turn the ignition. The car catches straight away and then dies. The yellow warning light goes out.

I've put 2 gallons in since, thinking the fuel sender might be faulty but it's registering 80 in the tank now and still it won't go. Same thing, catches and dies immediately. Having one foot on the gas doesn't help.

I can hear the gearbox selecting all the gears, I've tried both keys and the bonnet is shut tight.

Could I have blown the fuel pump fuse maybe, though I'm pretty sure I can hear it when I turn the ignition on? Or have I damaged the fuel pump by running it low?

The car is a short drive away so I want to go back as armed with a much as I can to try.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Raoul

[NZ_M3]

Scan the car .... You might just need the EWS and DME resync'd - sounds like the rolling code has become out of sync between DME and EWS so the DME isn't getting the run fuel pump signal.

[j88 csl]

Thanks mate, car's at my local indie now. Waiting to hear.

The EWS was replaced 6 months ago.

[j88 csl]

Originally Posted by NZ_M3

Scan the car .... You might just need the EWS and DME resync'd - sounds like the rolling code has become out of sync between DME and EWS so the DME isn't getting the run fuel pump signal.

Hi mate,

Re synced as you said and all okay though i've been advised that i might need a new ecu as it shouldn't have gone out of sync. That or a wiring problem which is difficult to diagnose.

Has anyone had similar problems with ecu's? Anyone had ews bypass or delete experience?

Cheers

[NZ_M3]

Originally Posted by j88 csl

Hi mate,

Re synced as you said and all okay though i've been advised that i might need a new ecu as it shouldn't have gone out of sync. That or a wiring problem which is difficult to diagnose.

Has anyone had similar problems with ecu's? Anyone had ews bypass or delete experience?

Cheers

You don't need a new DME ... the out of sync issue is the result of the EWS module experiencing an abnormal power off (it throws a power off code - if you scan the moduel you will see it as a shadow memory).

When the key and EWS syncs it has a "Fixed" code - which allows it to talk to the DME, and a rolling random code which is paired with the rolling table with the DME (or actually an algorithm). When it has a power off failure fault (such as a low battery volt or similar the random rolling code within the key becomes off sync with the DME) - this will in turn throw a rolling code key No."X" mismatch error in the DME and you get the crank, fire up and die scenario.

The way to repair this is to get someone with an EWS module tool (such as an AK90 or EWS Editor) and read the main 0D46J EEPROM off it, you then need a tool that can correct the data in this EEPROM which makes this key "Free" or new again - note AK90 cannot do this correctly only EWS Editor can - (it puts the random code into all FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF hex and when you use the key again it will burn the random code into the key eeprom and the DME memory again.

If you can get someone to dump the EWS module EEPROM for you, I can do this correction for you if you tell me which key number was causing the fault.

If you use a PA Soft 1.4 tool you will be able to read "Live Data" and this will show you the fixed code from the key and the random code. With an out of sync key you will see the random code regenerate multiple times and not syncing with the DME rolling table.

You can also buy a software written by a guy called Paffy on m3forums called MSSFlasher http://www.msstuning.com/mssflasher.html which can "virginise" your DME (i.e. it will delete all ISN data (EWS Data in layman's term) within the DME and allow the DME to be resynchronised with the EWS module again - this will burn the ISN into the DME and rolling table int othe DME again.

If you want it done for free you need to find someone with a BDM tool and manually correct the data on your EEPROMS - I can do this for you too if you want, but I am in NZ ...

[j88 csl]

Thanks for taking the time to reply mate, i really appreciate it.

I have someone over here who is going to look at it and i will forward your advice to them. The feeling here is that there is a power supply issue to the new ews which then causes it to be out of sync with the ecu. It's so intermittent though which is puzzling. It had a new ews around 4 months ago and has been fine until last Saturday.