Reset computer

[Monica Looley]

Help required.
My 2001 530D has a slight problem, when it's hot, living in Spain it gets hot from time to time, the car won't start, when it's cold, not a bother, starts on the button, stuck it on to a computer and cleared all the faults and thought that everything was Ok, it was for a day or so but the same problem came back, question is, how do I reset the computer to factory condition, I only have a diagnostic computer
I know it's old but it's done very little miles and it's in great condition and am reluctant to get rid, any help would be greatly appreciated.

[8Tech]

You need to fix the faults shown by the code reader. The computer will be factory spec unless you have replaced it or "mapped/chipped" it, in which case you need advanced equipment to recode it.

[RUSSELLM]

There seems to be a lot of these requests for help/information , where it’s the OP’s first post on the site.

Genuine question... How do they find their way here ?

And why don’t they ever reply to any of the responses ?

[Monica Looley]

Thanks 8Tech
I was under the impression that telling the system that there was no faults was enough, you live and learn.

[Monica Looley]

RusselM
Oh Dear

[BFleming]

Hot starting issues on starting will usually be a crankshaft position sensor or camshaft position sensor. In the case of the crankshaft position sensor, it won't throw a code, will usually work fine when cold, but not when hot. That's what I would start with.

[Monica Looley]

BFleming said:

Hot starting issues on starting will usually be a crankshaft position sensor or camshaft position sensor. In the case of the crankshaft position sensor, it won't throw a code, will usually work fine when cold, but not when hot. That's what I would start with.

Thanks, I'm no mechanic but that does make sense, I suppose replacing is in order, if it doesn't show I will have no other option

[RUSSELLM]

Monica Looley said:

RusselM
Oh Dear

You’ve reinstalled my confidence I was starting to think it was some sort of scam

I keep seeing first time posters getting advice, and not replying. So I stopped wasting my time replying.

[RUSSELLM]

BFleming said:

Hot starting issues on starting will usually be a crankshaft position sensor or camshaft position sensor. In the case of the crankshaft position sensor, it won't throw a code, will usually work fine when cold, but not when hot. That's what I would start with.

Would it be worth checking live data, to see what the MAPT sensor is sending out ? I’m guessing if it’s giving out too high a temperature, it might be trying to over fuel.

[Monica Looley]

RUSSELLM said:

You’ve reinstalled my confidence I was starting to think it was some sort of scam

I keep seeing first time posters getting advice, and not replying. So I stopped wasting my time replying.

A scam, you have lost me with that one

[RUSSELLM]

I couldn’t work it out myself

You’d be amazed at the amount of ‘1 posts’ there are, where the OP never replies again.

I was wondering it was some sort of blanket posting, where loads of sites are hit simultaneously. You can tell, I know very little about computers

[Monica Looley]

RUSSELLM said:

Would it be worth checking live data, to see what the MAPT sensor is sending out ? I’m guessing if it’s giving out too high a temperature, it might be trying to over fuel.

I will do that thanks, the problem started after an air intake hose came loose, when it was put back on I took the car out and gave it a bit of a thrashing, then it wouldn't start, when it cooled down no bother, problem here is that most of the year it's hot and even then, even if the car hasn't been running it won't start, once it does start it doesn't cut out till it's switched off.

[RUSSELLM]

In terms of resetting your engine ECU, putting the software back on it, will reset it. Probably a main dealer/specialist job.

And with the correct diagnostic equipment, you should be able to reset adaptions etc.

Personally, I’d start with live data, and see what the air temp sensor and other sensors, are saying.

[Monica Looley]

RUSSELLM said:

In terms of resetting your engine ECU, putting the software back on it, will reset it. Probably a main dealer/specialist job.

And with the correct diagnostic equipment, you should be able to reset adaptions etc.

Personally, I’d start with live data, and see what the air temp sensor is saying.

The reason I asked about resetting the computer is that another couple of problems have arisen, the windows won't work and the boot doesn't lock, these are not showing up and they have just appeared out of the blue.

[RUSSELLM]

Hmmm... When the car doesn’t start, is it cranking ok ?

[Monica Looley]

RUSSELLM said:

Hmmm... When the car doesn’t start, is it cranking ok ?

It sounds like fuel starvation, I assume the injectors are closed and they open when the engine is cold enough, my problem is the computer isn't showing any fault codes that relate to the problem, it shows a couple of issues with lights that are not there, this is what is confusing me.

[Monica Looley]

Cam sensor seems to be the problem, have one ordered.
Many thanks for your help mi amigos.

[gizlaroc]

How old is your battery?

[Monica Looley]

gizlaroc said:

How old is your battery?

Brand new, and it's sorting out a few problems like the boot now closing, I think a problem also has been the car wasn't running for a while so the key needs charged up, getting there tho bit by bit.