Sigh...first winter drive and a warning light

[unluky]

So I drove my car last a few months ago and she purred like a kitten like always. I was cleaning the garage 3-4 weeks ago and started her up and let her run for a bit to get to normal working temp and shut her off. Ran perfect.

Now today is supposed to hit 60 and I decided to bring her out and when I started her up it had a small miss and the "service engine soon" light was on - which I have never seen before since I owned her. I chalked it up to being cold (29 this morning) and putted down the drive (about a mile to the main road) but the miss never left even after warming up, so I turned around and put her up. Still missing and the light still on when I parked it.

I put new plugs in about 1.5 years ago and 8-9 thousand miles, so I do not think it is a plug issue - although I can't rule it out.

Worried a damn mouse may have gotten in and chewed something up, but I popped the hook and looked around and saw nothing out of the ordinary that I could see easily.

Anything common to these cars I should check first? When time and temps allow I will take some covers off and have a look and see what I can find.

Same as when I had my 300 - all the problems happen when you are itching to get them out of the garage the first time in the year!

Thanks

[chickdr]

I wonder about the ignition coils. I know they can be an issue.

[unluky]

Originally Posted by chickdr

I wonder about the ignition coils. I know they can be an issue.

Added to the list - I will check them out. I kind of looked them over when I did the plugs, but those types of things are on or off usually.

I can pull them one at a time till I find the miss and then swap coil packs and see if the miss follow it or not.

Good call.

[pokeybritches]

A code reader will tell you which cylinder is misfiring. Auto parts stores sometimes read codes for free. After plugs, coils are normally the next thing to check.

I don't like wasting a lot of time going back and forth, so I would either buy a coil for the misfiring cylinder at Autozone after getting the code read... or, order one online if you're set on replacing with OEM, which may not be a bad idea. Worst case it's not the coil, and the new one you bought can be used as a spare.

[Daemonblitz]

Most likely coil. I would recommend getting fault read, then based on which cylinder is misfiring switch coils between that and one that is good and see if fault carries over, if it does you know you need a coil.

[unluky]

Anyone recommend a good code reader? I have an ancient one from when they first came out that is kind of a POS. My 300 I could jump the port and use the blinking engine light to read codes, so I never really needed one.

Going to have this car a while I think, so might as well get a decent one.

[Mirko]

Originally Posted by unluky

Anyone recommend a good code reader? I have an ancient one from when they first came out that is kind of a POS. My 300 I could jump the port and use the blinking engine light to read codes, so I never really needed one.

Going to have this car a while I think, so might as well get a decent one.

I use the Torque or CarlyBMW app to read codes via my phone. I think Torque is actually a little better for error codes to be honest. CarlyBMW is a little off at times, much better for coding the car.

[pokeybritches]

I have a generic Walmart reader for $110. It gives the codes and emissions readiness. No complaints. If I need more, I go to a shop.

[unluky]

So of course I order the Carly connector and wait for it to arrive today. I was nice all weekend and I have about 7 hours worth of driving to do that I would have loved to taking the Z4 on.....but noooooo.

Get the connector hooked up tonight and it says to start the car. Start the car and it purred like a kitten with no miss at all.

Killing me smalls............

Oh well - ready for next time I guess.