E90 M3

Author
Discussion

car user

699 posts

126 months

Tuesday 26th March
quotequote all
They only go on properly one way. The little tabs in the metal brackets sit in holes in the subframe. But it is certainly possibly to mount them wrong and not know.

Without photos as a reference it would be very hard to work out.

E90_M3Ross

Original Poster:

35,180 posts

214 months

Tuesday 26th March
quotequote all
Thanks. I have put this to them and they will be looking into it.

E90_M3Ross

Original Poster:

35,180 posts

214 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
So I had more not-so-positive updates last night.

KYCS are seemingly baffled. If they set the sensor height, remove both sensors, turn the ignition on, the lights stay put. If they plug in one sensor, front or rear, the lights immediately drop down.

They showed me a video of another set of lights on top of my car doing the same thing (not working) and said they were OEM totally unmolested lights, so I am sure they're telling the truth.

They don't have a ramp and can't get good access to the sensor bracket or something. The rear sensor hits the subframe so I reckon that's the issue. They don't think it's the FRM. It is a new front sensor but we're going to order a new rear just to rule that out. They did say the rear plug looked a little corroded.

They did say that fitment issue is negated by manually setting the sensor positioning and output voltage though.

I'll see if I hear more today, but this just keeps getting worse.

I've booked the car in for April 12th for a pre Scotland jaunt check by a very, very well regarded BMW indy (local BMW dealer sends troublesome cars there!) and have mentioned this issue.

KYCS don't have a ramp, which doesn't help but I get the feeling they are stuck as to where to go from here.

I'm beginning to wonder if it'll ever get fixed?! Surely someone can fix it FFS?

d_a_n1979

8,743 posts

74 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
E90_M3Ross said:
So I had more not-so-positive updates last night.

KYCS are seemingly baffled. If they set the sensor height, remove both sensors, turn the ignition on, the lights stay put. If they plug in one sensor, front or rear, the lights immediately drop down.

They showed me a video of another set of lights on top of my car doing the same thing (not working) and said they were OEM totally unmolested lights, so I am sure they're telling the truth.

They don't have a ramp and can't get good access to the sensor bracket or something. The rear sensor hits the subframe so I reckon that's the issue. They don't think it's the FRM. It is a new front sensor but we're going to order a new rear just to rule that out. They did say the rear plug looked a little corroded.

They did say that fitment issue is negated by manually setting the sensor positioning and output voltage though.

I'll see if I hear more today, but this just keeps getting worse.

I've booked the car in for April 12th for a pre Scotland jaunt check by a very, very well regarded BMW indy (local BMW dealer sends troublesome cars there!) and have mentioned this issue.

KYCS don't have a ramp, which doesn't help but I get the feeling they are stuck as to where to go from here.

I'm beginning to wonder if it'll ever get fixed?! Surely someone can fix it FFS?
As daft as it sounds; its like something has been reconnected wrong, so it's been given the opposite signals, if that makes sense

As in rather than pointing up after the self calibration; they're pointing down

The rear sensors was clearly working before you had the car worked on and the headlights upgraded, as you'd have noticed

So what's been done wrong when refitting everything?! frown

axel1990chp

669 posts

105 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
Sounds like you’ve been having an absolute mare with this tbh, a proper saga!

Have you considered a genuine BMW stealer to have a gander? The increased cost may be worth it, if it comes up with the right solution as soon as possible?

I’d be tearing my hear out right now, and I’ve got a lot of it!

Willber

552 posts

171 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
Its got to be something on the car then if its doing it with another pair.

Get the rear sensor properly mounted first and go from there? Are KYCS doing that when they get a lift in?

E90_M3Ross

Original Poster:

35,180 posts

214 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
I'm now booked in with a well reputed BMW indy in 2 week's time for a pre-Scotland check over and will get this looked at to. I've given them a run down of the situation.

I am not sure if kycs will be looking at the mounting of the sensor as they don't have a ramp, but I feel it's got to be something simple!

And yes, I'm beyond fed up now. I was beyond fed up a few weeks ago, but it's getting to be an absolute joke now.

And yes, KYCS feel it's something "module back" / sensor related. Doesn't help they don't have a ramp though. I REALLY didn't want to go back to pick the car up from them and still have to take it elsewhere AGAIN but looks like I'll need to.

Edited by E90_M3Ross on Wednesday 27th March 09:12

pmorg4

726 posts

118 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
If there's a problem with the sensors that means the FRM is not getting a plausible signal, it will aim the lights at the lowest setting (fail safe). You really need to get it plugged into ISTA/INPA and read the sensor signals while moving the sensor arm to check what signal is being received by the FRM. From there you can start to eliminate issues with the sensor itself, wiring, etc.

A few posts mention that the headlights worked prior to the work being done, but as there was a lot of suspension work it's entirely plausible that sensors, fitment or wiring damage could all be a factor.

Presumably your indy will have all the right diagnosis gear and can get to the bottom of this quite quickly. It should be a straightforward problem to solve by someone who knows what they're doing, there aren't that many links in the chain and a good mechanic will methodically eliminate each one rather than throwing new parts on and hoping for the best.

Good luck smile

car user

699 posts

126 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
If the rear sensor hits the subframe then it's probably on backwards.

If you are located near London, I would suggest Birds in Iver. Might be wise to get a replacement sensor from Autodoc just in case the existing one has been damaged.

You can get to it quite easily with just a single jack. It's held on with a couple of 10mm bolts so you don't need a lot of tools.

E90_M3Ross

Original Poster:

35,180 posts

214 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
pmorg4 said:
If there's a problem with the sensors that means the FRM is not getting a plausible signal, it will aim the lights at the lowest setting (fail safe). You really need to get it plugged into ISTA/INPA and read the sensor signals while moving the sensor arm to check what signal is being received by the FRM. From there you can start to eliminate issues with the sensor itself, wiring, etc.

A few posts mention that the headlights worked prior to the work being done, but as there was a lot of suspension work it's entirely plausible that sensors, fitment or wiring damage could all be a factor.

Presumably your indy will have all the right diagnosis gear and can get to the bottom of this quite quickly. It should be a straightforward problem to solve by someone who knows what they're doing, there aren't that many links in the chain and a good mechanic will methodically eliminate each one rather than throwing new parts on and hoping for the best.

Good luck smile
They've read the live sensor data and seems to be reporting OK.

E90_M3Ross

Original Poster:

35,180 posts

214 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
car user said:
If the rear sensor hits the subframe then it's probably on backwards.

If you are located near London, I would suggest Birds in Iver. Might be wise to get a replacement sensor from Autodoc just in case the existing one has been damaged.

You can get to it quite easily with just a single jack. It's held on with a couple of 10mm bolts so you don't need a lot of tools.
I've said this and I think they're ordering a new rear sensor today.

E90_M3Ross

Original Poster:

35,180 posts

214 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all

pmorg4

726 posts

118 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
They need to move the sensors and check the voltage readings changing smoothly.

I'd be surprised if it's the FRM, given its ability to read the sensors and there being no errors stored. Particularly if it's doing the "up/down" initialisation which shows it's controlling the motors properly. It's not impossible, but that would be an unusual failure mode, and quite a coincidence with all the other work that's been done.

E90_M3Ross

Original Poster:

35,180 posts

214 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
pmorg4 said:
They need to move the sensors and check the voltage readings changing smoothly.

I'd be surprised if it's the FRM, given its ability to read the sensors and there being no errors stored. Particularly if it's doing the "up/down" initialisation which shows it's controlling the motors properly. It's not impossible, but that would be an unusual failure mode, and quite a coincidence with all the other work that's been done.
They don't really think it's the FRM. The sensor voltages change as they should.

I'm very frustrated with the fact that they say the rear sensor is hitting the subframe (ie not fitted correctly) and they haven't repositioned it. It seems sensible to do that FFS.

As I think I said earlier, car is now booked in with a highly reputed indy 12th April for a general check over and now this too. Kycs have spoken to them and given them a run down of the situation. It wouldn't surprise me if they reposition the sensor and it works straight away.

E90_M3Ross

Original Poster:

35,180 posts

214 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
They've asked if the ride height has changed....which I reckon it has, but only by maybe 5-10mm.

They said the sensor moves 270 degrees to go 1-5V - is that right? I wonder if it's meant to be 90 degrees, and whether flipping it round (to rotate the other way) would resolve this? I'm not sure.

Willber

552 posts

171 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
Get the car back. Get a jack, flip it round and see what happens? Do you do any work on your cars? This is an easy way to start learning if not! Otherwise we might have to have a crowd fund type thing to club together like minded people nearby and have a stab at it! The wait for the indy on 12th will be agonising. I wouldn't be able to resist having a play in the meantime

E90_M3Ross

Original Poster:

35,180 posts

214 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
Willber said:
Get the car back. Get a jack, flip it round and see what happens? Do you do any work on your cars? This is an easy way to start learning if not! Otherwise we might have to have a crowd fund type thing to club together like minded people nearby and have a stab at it! The wait for the indy on 12th will be agonising. I wouldn't be able to resist having a play in the meantime
No I don't do any work myself, historically I make things worse hehe

As an aside it will be interesting to see how much KYCS charge me for all of this diagnostic work.....thoughts anyone??!

Edited by E90_M3Ross on Wednesday 27th March 15:29

GCCP

963 posts

234 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
E90_M3Ross said:
No I don't do any work myself, historically I make things worse hehe

As an aside it will be interesting to see how much KYCS charge me for all of this diagnostic work.....thoughts anyone??!

Edited by E90_M3Ross on Wednesday 27th March 15:29
if the sensor is hitting the subframe it has to be the wrong way round, or fitted in correctly. I am willing to bet that the sensor is not installed correctly.

d_a_n1979

8,743 posts

74 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
GCCP said:
E90_M3Ross said:
No I don't do any work myself, historically I make things worse hehe

As an aside it will be interesting to see how much KYCS charge me for all of this diagnostic work.....thoughts anyone??!

Edited by E90_M3Ross on Wednesday 27th March 15:29
if the sensor is hitting the subframe it has to be the wrong way round, or fitted in correctly. I am willing to bet that the sensor is not installed correctly.
Exactly this... I'd deffo be getting it onto axle stands and getting the wheel off when you get it back Ross. Get some Google Images going so you can see how it should look and go from there

MDMA .

9,013 posts

103 months

Wednesday 27th March
quotequote all
Without reading the last 20 pages, is there a reason you’ve not gone back to the place what fitted all the new suspension components and had the subframe off? If anyone’s had the sensors off/fitted the wrong way, it’ll be them, won’t it?