S54 stumbling at idle

XMetal · 03-21-2014, 12:24 AM

Anyone have this issue with their S54 engine where it would stumble momentarily (for about 1/2 a second or so) where the engine would drop to about 500rpm during idling? The engine never died/cut-out...just stumbled. This has happened to me a few times in the last several months...usually while waiting at a light. Any clue what may have caused this? Thanks.

i2ichal2dZ4M · 03-21-2014, 01:29 AM

I have this issue, especially when im running on low fuel (light on). I was told that it could be my coils going out. Or simply running on low fuel

SCHMOUPE · 03-21-2014, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

Anyone have this issue with their S54 engine where it would stumble momentarily (for about 1/2 a second or so) where the engine would drop to about 500rpm during idling? The engine never died/cut-out...just stumbled. This has happened to me a few times in the last several months...usually while waiting at a light. Any clue what may have caused this? Thanks.

Yup, once in a while. I always thought it was s momentary lack of fuel to the engine. Never bothered me bad enough to look into it.

Mirko · 03-21-2014, 07:59 AM

I had this happen once or twice during the summer in the first year I bought the car. I picked up a tune and it didn't do it the following year. Never figured out what it could be as it only happened those two times on really hot and humid days.

Walkurie · 03-21-2014, 08:31 AM

This has happened on the M and it also happened on another BMW car I once owned. As Mirko stated, it has not happened since receiving a tune. Did not bother me enough to do anything about.

elerner61 · 03-21-2014, 08:50 AM

I get it once every couple of months too. I figured it's just like my passenger window that sometimes doesn't auto up correctly. Shit happens..move on. That said, I do keep a spare new coil in the trunk.

XMetal · 03-21-2014, 09:47 AM

Appreciates the input. Seems like there's a bug in BMW's tune, then. I only had something similar to this happened once in the 10+ years that I have owned the X5, but the M appears to do it every now and then...may be even once per month or so.

chickdr · 03-21-2014, 10:16 AM

Yep- mine does it occasionally as well. It has also started running slightly rough when not used for a while(not stumbling, just feel more vibration in the cabin than usual for the first run after it sits for a couple of weeks.) After a decent run this goes away.

msh441 · 03-21-2014, 10:18 AM

I was having that issue frequently when I was filling up at a local 76 advertising 100% Ethanol free (which was why I was there).

All but went away when I switched to a Shell station nearby. It now maybe happens once every month or two.

I chalked it up to bad fuel... Or at least fuel that burned differently that the ECU/ignition expected.

The HACK · 03-21-2014, 11:48 AM

My Hyundai does that when the AC compressor kicks in.

ried · 03-21-2014, 12:09 PM

Happens to me, too. Pretty infrequently, though, at maybe twice per month.

XMetal · 03-21-2014, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msh441

I was having that issue frequently when I was filling up at a local 76 advertising 100% Ethanol free (which was why I was there).

All but went away when I switched to a Shell station nearby. It now maybe happens once every month or two.

I chalked it up to bad fuel... Or at least fuel that burned differently that the ECU/ignition expected.

I've been running exclusively on Chevron and Shell...may be I should try something else?

Quote:

Originally Posted by The HACK

My Hyundai does that when the AC compressor kicks in.

I usually drive without AC...so it shouldn't be that.

RADRACR · 03-25-2014, 02:32 AM

It happens to all of us. "Normal" as far as BMW is concerned.

When it happens, I look at my passenger and...

....

wait for it...

....

"because racecar."

....

when I'm really thinking (

)

elwesso · 03-25-2014, 12:59 PM

Mine does that right after I start the car.. It will crank, run for about a second, then rpms will dip down. Sometimes it does stall, but once it's going it runs fine. If I hold the throttle open about 1/4 when I crank it, it doesn't do it at all.

StickMon · 03-29-2014, 12:27 AM

Yep, mine too.
They all do it.

msh441 · 03-29-2014, 11:22 AM

It's a glitch.

I sincerely believe it's something in the ECU related to fuel delivery. I know it's totally speculative... but I had a bad run for a few months where it was BAD. Every day. Very frequently. Cold, hot, whatever. It would dip so bad once or twice a week that the car would DIE.

The only thing I changed was fuel and it all but went away. I still notice it slightly: a dip in RPM maybe once a month. But nothing at all like it was.

Devious21 · 03-29-2014, 11:49 AM

I think it's common when the engine gets starved for (cold)air and the tune needs to adapt. A good example is coming off the freeway and getting stuck sitting at a red light.

With the stock tune, I could fairly consistently get it to stumble this way. Just for a second and it would recover.

antennahead · 03-29-2014, 05:08 PM

Same here, mine does it randomly as well..... can't seem to tie it to a type of fuel, engine temp, nor a weather temperature.

Finnegan · 03-29-2014, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aestheticstorm

It happens to all of us. "Normal" as far as BMW is concerned.

When it happens, I look at my passenger and...

....

wait for it...

....

"because racecar."

....

when I'm really thinking (

)

karmasabish · 03-31-2014, 01:05 PM

mine has stalled a few times. Once I was having such a bad day and it stalled on me and I'd had it. I floored the accelerator and then turned the ignition and it roared straight to redline from Off. Dumb of me. The car smelled like burning shit for a little while after that.

Taylorguy74 · 05-08-2014, 08:19 AM

I had an odd occurrence the other night - adjusting the headlights with the car running - it just stalled. No dip in RPM, just quit. Strangely enough, its the only time the car has stalled other than when I had a TPS fail. Started right back up, no issues.

brother i · 05-08-2014, 01:28 PM

Happens to me once in a while too, and I also noticed that when it does - it's on a lower fuel level.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aestheticstorm

...
"because racecar."

....

haha

03-21-2014, 12:24 AM	#1
XMetal Colonel 1131 Rep 2,866 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	S54 stumbling at idle Anyone have this issue with their S54 engine where it would stumble momentarily (for about 1/2 a second or so) where the engine would drop to about 500rpm during idling? The engine never died/cut-out...just stumbled. This has happened to me a few times in the last several months...usually while waiting at a light. Any clue what may have caused this? Thanks.
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03-21-2014, 01:29 AM	#2
i2ichal2dZ4M Lieutenant 63 Rep 516 Posts Drives: 2007 BSM Z4MC Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Los Angeles, California iTrader: (1)	I have this issue, especially when im running on low fuel (light on). I was told that it could be my coils going out. Or simply running on low fuel __________________ 2007 BSM Z4M Coupe - 18" VOLK TE37 - 18" Apex ARC-8 - GC Track/Street
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03-21-2014, 07:59 AM	#4
Mirko Major 182 Rep 1,031 Posts Drives: E86 Z4M, E90 328i, E84 X1 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2)	I had this happen once or twice during the summer in the first year I bought the car. I picked up a tune and it didn't do it the following year. Never figured out what it could be as it only happened those two times on really hot and humid days.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-21-2014, 08:31 AM	#5
Walkurie Lieutenant 9 Rep 452 Posts Drives: 06 M Roadster / 99 Jaguar XK8 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Surf City, CA iTrader: (2)	This has happened on the M and it also happened on another BMW car I once owned. As Mirko stated, it has not happened since receiving a tune. Did not bother me enough to do anything about. __________________ Vibra Technics engine mounts / Rogue trans mounts / Stoptech brakes / original owner
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03-21-2014, 08:50 AM	#6
elerner61 Major 157 Rep 1,107 Posts Drives: '07 Z4M Roadster Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mount Kisco, NY iTrader: (0)	I get it once every couple of months too. I figured it's just like my passenger window that sometimes doesn't auto up correctly. Shit happens..move on. That said, I do keep a spare new coil in the trunk.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-21-2014, 09:47 AM	#7
XMetal Colonel 1131 Rep 2,866 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	Appreciates the input. Seems like there's a bug in BMW's tune, then. I only had something similar to this happened once in the 10+ years that I have owned the X5, but the M appears to do it every now and then...may be even once per month or so.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-21-2014, 10:16 AM	#8
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,990 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	Yep- mine does it occasionally as well. It has also started running slightly rough when not used for a while(not stumbling, just feel more vibration in the cabin than usual for the first run after it sits for a couple of weeks.) After a decent run this goes away.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-21-2014, 10:18 AM	#9
msh441 Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 219 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Pacific Northwest iTrader: (1) Garage List 2000 Volve S70 se [0.00] 2000 Triumph Dayton ... [0.00] 2007 Husqvarna TE250 [0.00] 2002 Ducati Monster ... [0.00] 2007 BMW [0.00]	I was having that issue frequently when I was filling up at a local 76 advertising 100% Ethanol free (which was why I was there). All but went away when I switched to a Shell station nearby. It now maybe happens once every month or two. I chalked it up to bad fuel... Or at least fuel that burned differently that the ECU/ignition expected.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-21-2014, 11:48 AM	#10
The HACK Midlife Crises Racing Silent but Deadly Class 1821 Rep 5,337 Posts Drives: 2006 MZ4C, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Welcome to Jamaica have a nice day iTrader: (1)	My Hyundai does that when the AC compressor kicks in. __________________ Sitting on a beat-up office chair in front of a 5 year old computer in a basement floor, sipping on stale coffee watching a bunch of meaningless numbers scrolling aimlessly on a dimly lit 19” monitor.
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03-21-2014, 12:09 PM	#11
ried Captain 792 Rep 817 Posts Drives: F31, F80 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2)	Happens to me, too. Pretty infrequently, though, at maybe twice per month.
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03-25-2014, 02:32 AM	#13
RADRACR Captain 84 Rep 924 Posts Drives: '08 Z4 M Coupé // '09 X5 d Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota iTrader: (2)	It happens to all of us. "Normal" as far as BMW is concerned. When it happens, I look at my passenger and... .... wait for it... .... "because racecar." .... when I'm really thinking () __________________ '08 Z4 ///M Coupé (#1765/1815) — 1 of 68 Sepang Bronze / Black Nappa / Madeira Wood / 1 of 1 this combo 19" Advan RS / AP Racing / Bridgestone RE-11 / Autosolutions SSK / R.E. Diablo / R.E. trans mounts '09 X5 35d — Space Grey / Saddle Brown 20" Forgestar F14 / SCR Delete
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03-25-2014, 12:59 PM	#14
elwesso Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 299 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Indiana iTrader: (1)	Mine does that right after I start the car.. It will crank, run for about a second, then rpms will dip down. Sometimes it does stall, but once it's going it runs fine. If I hold the throttle open about 1/4 when I crank it, it doesn't do it at all. __________________ - Wes 2007 BMW M Coupe 2016 VW GTI
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03-29-2014, 12:27 AM	#15
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	Yep, mine too. They all do it. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
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03-29-2014, 11:22 AM	#16
msh441 Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 219 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Pacific Northwest iTrader: (1) Garage List 2000 Volve S70 se [0.00] 2000 Triumph Dayton ... [0.00] 2007 Husqvarna TE250 [0.00] 2002 Ducati Monster ... [0.00] 2007 BMW [0.00]	It's a glitch. I sincerely believe it's something in the ECU related to fuel delivery. I know it's totally speculative... but I had a bad run for a few months where it was BAD. Every day. Very frequently. Cold, hot, whatever. It would dip so bad once or twice a week that the car would DIE. The only thing I changed was fuel and it all but went away. I still notice it slightly: a dip in RPM maybe once a month. But nothing at all like it was.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-29-2014, 11:49 AM	#17
Devious21 Captain 38 Rep 711 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4M Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (1)	I think it's common when the engine gets starved for (cold)air and the tune needs to adapt. A good example is coming off the freeway and getting stuck sitting at a red light. With the stock tune, I could fairly consistently get it to stumble this way. Just for a second and it would recover. __________________ \|Evolve Airbox - Euro Headers - Strömung Exhaust - H&R Coils - 19" BBS CH-R\|
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03-29-2014, 05:08 PM	#18
antennahead Captain 73 Rep 820 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MR silver grey Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Charleston, South Carolina iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Z4 M Roadster [5.00]	Same here, mine does it randomly as well..... can't seem to tie it to a type of fuel, engine temp, nor a weather temperature.
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03-31-2014, 01:05 PM	#20
karmasabish Lieutenant 37 Rep 420 Posts Drives: 06 M Roadster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	mine has stalled a few times. Once I was having such a bad day and it stalled on me and I'd had it. I floored the accelerator and then turned the ignition and it roared straight to redline from Off. Dumb of me. The car smelled like burning shit for a little while after that.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-08-2014, 08:19 AM	#21
Taylorguy74 Enthusiast 16 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 2016 550i M-Sport Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	I had an odd occurrence the other night - adjusting the headlights with the car running - it just stalled. No dip in RPM, just quit. Strangely enough, its the only time the car has stalled other than when I had a TPS fail. Started right back up, no issues. __________________ 2016 550i M-Sport 2008 328i M-Sport (Sold) 2007 Z4M Roadster (Sold)
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