Had High Hopes.... OOPS, there goes another HPFP

[Jaguar66]

My '09 Lemans Blu, 8000+ miles, 135i has been having some 3-4 second cranks in the early early morning starting a month ago. I start to wonder, am I ging to have the dreade HPFP failure in my future. But no codes or SES light. I took the car in for a rear tail light fix, so removed the JB3. During those days, I noticed the crank weren't as long. After service, I put the JB3 back in. 3 sec cranks are back for 3-4 days.

Today, the car took like 5-7 seconds. I noticed a SES light, that won't go away, checked it with the BT scanner tool, and I get the 2FBF code, meaning fuel pump isn't putting out. I am leaving the code in, so BMW will pick it up, I removed the JB3 again. Going back to Ma BMW.

Well I am pretty sure this is the beginning of the end for it. My only lingering concern is that problems seem to coincide with the JB3, and am wondering did its presence have an effect? I have emailed Terry at Burger tuning.

[hbiscuit]

is this a new p/n hpfp w/ the sfotware update?

[Jaguar66]

Originally Posted by alpnwhite96

is this a new p/n hpfp w/ the sfotware update?

Don't know yet. Will keep this updated as things develop.

[Jaguar66]

After removing the JB3, the SES light has gone out, and the car has started normally each and every time, no more cranks over 1 second, not even one. Before I removed the JB3, I was having 2-4 sec cranks every time.

I thought the JB3 was not supposed to affect the fuel pump. (According to Terry at least). Anyone else notice this?

[MarkR171]

So... cranks went back to normal after removing JB3 and long cranks returned when you reinstalled it? Doesn't sound so good for JB...

[Jaguar66]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

So... cranks went back to normal after removing JB3 and long cranks returned when you reinstalled it? Doesn't sound so good for JB...

If all stays as is, with normal cranks for the next 2 weeks, I will put it back in again.

[Tochenzo]

There have been many N54's with failed HPFP's who have never seen a JB3 either. May just be a coincidence. I would e-mail Terry and see what he says. Let us know too

[Jaguar66]

Originally Posted by RobMason

I thought the JB3 was not supposed to affect the fuel pump. (According to Terry at least). Anyone else notice this?

This is according to Terry. I had already emailed him.

I will know when I put it back in. I was getting longer (3-4 sec) cranks before I took it out for a service I had performed. I had taken it out before the service. Then it cleared up. I put it back in after the service, longer cranks. Took it out again. Normal cranks. It seems to be associated.

[Jaguar66]

I have re installed the JB3. Initial start up normal. Will wait and see.

[Alext]

Yeah that is a bit concerning. Keep us updated. Do you have a BT cable to see what codes it is producing?

[Jaguar66]

Originally Posted by Alext

Yeah that is a bit concerning. Keep us updated. Do you have a BT cable to see what codes it is producing?

Yep, as stated in the opening post, I threw the 2FBF code right before I took out the JB3, thinking I was going to take it in. The next morning the SES light was gone, and the car was back to normal cranking. Now the JB3 is back in, since today, so far so good.

[Jaguar66]

I have now installed/removed the JB3 four times. Each time I remove it, the long cranks have returned to normal. I have thrown 3 2FBF codes, all with the JB3 installed.

Yesterday I removed the JB3, preparing to take the car in for the safety recall related to the seat belt tensioner. No long crank.

I have emailed Terry. I am afraid I am going to have to leave the JB3 out, at least for awhile to see if long cranks return. Terry has said the JB3 is unrelated to long cranks, but if they don't return, after removing it this time, I will be forced to assume otherwise.

[My135]

The long crank (or HPFP failure) has nothing to do with JB3. The long crank will come and go initially; and then it will stay for good after severl months of periodic long crank sessions.

[Jaguar66]

Originally Posted by My135

The long crank (or HPFP failure) has nothing to do with JB3. The long crank will come and go initially; and then it will stay for good after severl months of periodic long crank sessions.

That does seems to be the usual progression of events. I will have to wait and see. All I can say at this point is I have never had a long crank when the JB3 is not in. It would be a strange coincidence if they are not related.

Time will tell.

[Jaguar66]

JB3 Owners Beware!

OK, guys get this! I take my car into the dealership for the seatbelt tensioner replacement, and trim removal callback. Since I am paranoid about the JB3 being in the car, whenever it it going to be at the BMW dealer, I had decided to remove it. Good thing I did.

I call to see if my car is ready. The SA says he is sorry to inform me I have a nail in one of my tires and do I want it repaired? since I have non RFT Mchelin PS2s on the car I said yes definately.

2 hours later I decide to drop in at the dealership to check on my car, and the SA says since they have many 1 series cars coming in, they won't be able to do it today. Hmm, I think, why did they even bother schedule me for today then?

Then as I am sitting there, the Team Leader Service Technician comes over to tell the SA that a car won't be able to get to the software update today. I come to discover he is talking about my car. WTF?? I say "software update? What software update, I wasn't informed of any software update?" The SA sits there like he's been caught there with his hand in the cookie jar. As I talk with the Service Tech, he explains that if there is a software update issued for any car, they are doing it, while the cars are in for other reasons, and asks me if I would rather wait, and do it later. I tell him to go ahead, and that I knew this was happening to other 1 series cars so lets do it. I am just POed that they were going to do it without ever informing me. The more I think about it, the more pissed I am getting. (Just a bastard in a basket) The SA never apologized for lack of informing me. (Just a bastard in a basket). He does apologize for telling me my tire had a nail in it when in fact it never did. Gee, thanks.

If I had left the JB3 in there, there is no doubt that it would have been detected. Lesson learned. If the dealer has anyones car, be aware that BMW could and may do things that you don't know or may not know about beforehand.

Anyway, since my car will have the updated ECU, and other software elements, it will no doubt change they way the fuel pump is reacting on startup. It may be awhile before I know if the JB3 is having any untoward effects with the pump. The Service Tech also said that the new software will correct the way it detects low pressure on startup, and that CELs won't pop up as easily as before.

I am tempted to put it back in, soon after I get the car back. I guess I will let the ECU adapt to its new setting. Does anyone know if the new software update affects in any way the future detectability of it by BMW?

[IZAGLO]

the HPFP on your car is going, the sooner the better IMO ....mine went after a month of ownership at 9400 miles, bought the 1 used with 9200 miles, 7 months old, and i was 100% stock , was happy actually to get that fix hopefully behind me.... got new pump, new software, a new injector and plugs and my car has been amazing........i am a believer in putting the bast gas i can in my car so i use ONLY Shell V-Power 93......never had a problem since the update...and indeed, i have been running the JB3 with no issues,,,this is absolutely the best bang for the buck of any mod i have done to any of my cars.

[My135]

Most dealers do not open up the ECU box to check. They replaced my HPFP with no problems and they even had my car for 2 days 1 night.