N55 Long Crank Issue with Fuel code and I replaced the entire fuel system

[HodgCodg]

Hi All! This is my first post here so please forgive me if I make any small errors in formatting or otherwise. I have an issue with my 2011 135i that has been bugging me consistently since I bought it 13 months ago.

Car 2011 135i DCT (3/2010 manufacturing date)

Issue: Upon start (generally after the car has sat for at least an hour) the engine sputters for approximately 2-3 second before lighting on all cylinders and firing normally. After that the car drives like new and has no issues of note. Now here is where things get interesting.

Codes:
2BDE: Fuel high pressure on enabling of injection: pressure too low
2BF0: basically the same thing but in German.
Both codes are shadow codes and return only after a long crank most commonly in the morning before work.

What I have replaced/done to try and fix this issue in order:
HPFP: Replaced with new unit from FCP which did nothing to fix it so i returned it due to cost.
HP Fuel sensor/rail sensor: replaced with bosch unit working normally. Also no change
Fuel Pressure regulator: fixed it for like a week then it returned. eventually it cracked and i replaced it a second time to stop the fuel smell in the cabin. Second unit is a brand new continental OE unit
Ignition Coils and plugs: Plugs replaced with OE bosch from FCP and coils replaced with Eldor from FCP
LPFP: replaced with siemens VDO from FCP euro. No change but lpfp whine is noticeably less
Fuel injectors (all 6): replaced with bosch units from FCP and properly coded via ISTA.

The car has 0 other engine related codes and the battery is known good. I also replaced the starter as it went out in january.

Mods the the car:
VSRF chargepipe
OEM 1M exhaust and rear bumper
MHD Stage 1 tune.

This issue was present prior to the modifications being installed including the tune and it does it with the stock tune being flashed back as well. The car drives 100% as expected after starting and I have never had this issue cause it to not start but I really don't know what else to try as in my mind I have replaced the entire fuel system with new OE components excluding the lines which are not leaking. ALL of the service has been done exactly to the ISTA service manual instructions and torque specs as to rule out any errors when servicing the car. I really would appreciate any ideas people have as the long starts drive me nuts and I just want to fix the last issue the car has. Thanks!

[XLXVXR]

Did you ever figure out a fix for the long crank issue. I’m having the same thing with my 135. I’m glad I saw this before purchasing the hpfp.

[rick_flying_machine]

Had the same issue on my 2011 135i with the same 2010 build date. The HPFP fixed the long cranks for me, but the shadow codes remained. Not sure what they represent exactly and how they can be eliminated.

[itranyesterday]

I have a couple the following codes still popping up consistently:
- 387F
- 2BDE
- 2BF0

Read somewhere that it could be the battery ground strap corroding that could impact the electrical connection between starter & car, which could explain a correlation of some symptoms I have like long crank but not performance issue, & flickering low beams at times.

Will replace that strap & confirm. If that doesn't fix it then will hit up @[konstat] (contact:916764) for HPFP rebuild in the upcoming weeks. Should be doing that soon anyway.

[FL1M]

Originally Posted by grywng

I have a couple the following codes still popping up consistently:
- 387F
- 2BDE
- 2BF0

Read somewhere that it could be the battery ground strap corroding that could impact the electrical connection between starter & car, which could explain a correlation of some symptoms I have like long crank but not performance issue, & flickering low beams at times.

Will replace that strap & confirm. If that doesn't fix it then will hit up @[konstat] (contact:916764) for HPFP rebuild in the upcoming weeks. Should be doing that soon anyway.

Any updates?

[itranyesterday]

Originally Posted by FL1M

Any updates?

No dice I went under the car and the previous owner put two ground straps in....I replaced it with one new one and no change in crank.

The power mgmt code 387F is still there; the light flickering is gone; but my passenger angel eye is dimmer than the driver side.

[Dhillon92]

Hey man, i have the same codes, with rough cold starts, almost stalling out. Have you figured anything out yet? Ill also keep you posted when I find something.

[itranyesterday]

FL1M Dhillon92

Update for ya'll. Idk if your cars use the newer N55 pump vs the older N54 pump like my 135i build date 02/2012, which was the last month still on the older pump.

I bought a used pump off eBay pulled from a 535i & sent over to PerformanceEngSolutions for rebuild service. Once he received it took barely a day before it was ready to be sent back. Cannot recommend enough if your pump needs servicing. (esp as opposed to a $1000 new N54 pump or a $400 knockoff pump)




Completely different car now can't believe it. Couple highlights:

BEFORE:
DME Shadow codes 2BDE ; 2BF0
3-4 sec crank
Slight lurch when slowing to stop
Random millisecond power cuts
Looming dread

AFTER:
Clean code scan
1sec crank (haven't felt this at all since I bought the car last year)
Smooth power transition up & down
Smile on face