GO FISHING, use SLABSAUCE Fishing Attractant
Page 2 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 40

Thread: E34 without O2 Sensor have 1221 Error Code

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    19

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by whiskychaser View Post
    My Feb '92 525i M50 NV went to the breaker's a short time ago so feel free to use the VIN: GA11907. That certainly left the factory without a cat/O2 sensor and unlike yours, you can see they are not listed in realoem. I dont think ZA bothered with emissions until about 2005 :-) BMW probably used the same ECU with software differences for with/without CAT.

    Ill'd take a look on your VIN in realoem and that is exactlly what exhaust system installed in my car, parts# 18101728445.
    Realoem give a wrong info on my VIN. By the way the car is US version shipped in the Philippines.

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Oldham, England
    Posts
    3,078

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by redled View Post
    Ill'd take a look on your VIN in realoem and that is exactlly what exhaust system installed in my car, parts# 18101728445.
    Realoem give a wrong info on my VIN. By the way the car is US version shipped in the Philippines.
    I doubt you have that actual part number as it is exclusive to S Africa. But nothing to say somebody didnt fit something very similar to your car. The issue though is that your ECU is expecting a signal from an O2 sensor and isnt getting one. The only way I can see the fault/CEL going away is if you fit a cat/O2 sensor or alter the software in the ECU
    Oct '00 E46 330i. Feb '92 525i (departed)

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    SF Bay Area
    Posts
    86

    Default

    If you need another to check..my vin is GB34488;
    It's a 06/92.
    525i M50 non-vanos;
    Always has had O2 and cat.
    Steve
    SF Bay Area
    1992 525i/5-spd, 250K mi
    17inch wheels

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Oldham, England
    Posts
    3,078

    Default

    VIN WBAHD5311NGB34488
    Type code HD53
    Type 525I (USA)
    E series E34 ()
    Series 5
    Type LIM
    Steering LL
    Doors 4
    Engine M50
    Displacement 2.50
    Power 141
    Drive HECK
    Transmission MECH
    Colour SCHWARZ 2 (668)
    Upholstery (0325)
    Prod.date 1992-06-11



    Options

    Code Description (interface) Description (EPC)
    S240A LEDERLENKRAD Steering wheel, leather
    S458A SITZVERSTELLUNG ELEKTR.FAHRER/BEIF. Electr. front seat adjustment
    S472A MITTELARMLEHNEN VORN FAHRER/BEIF. Armrest, front, driver/passenger
    S553A BORDCOMPUTER IV MIT FERNBEDIENUNG On-board computer IV with remote control
    S640A AUTOTELEFONVORBEREITUNG Preparation f tel.installation universal
    S686A ANTENNENDIVERSITY Antenna-Diversity
    S694A CD-WECHSLER VORBEREITUNG Provisions for BMW 6 CD changer
    S818A BATTERIEHAUPTSCHALTER Battery master switch
    S925A VERSANDSCHUTZPAKET Dispatch protection pack

    Looks like they dont even bother to mention an O2 sensor if it for the US market
    Oct '00 E46 330i. Feb '92 525i (departed)

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    SF Bay Area
    Posts
    86

    Default

    I just did some searching and found this site from one of Shoguns old posts that notes "Catalyzer" at the end:
    BMW VIN Decoder - By Mitsuhiko Kanekatsu

    Chassis number GB34488
    Vehicle code HD53
    Series E34
    Model 525i ( 525i M50 )
    Body type saloon
    Catalog model USA
    Production date 1992 / 06
    Engine M50
    Transmission Manual
    Steering Left
    Catalyzer YES
    Steve
    SF Bay Area
    1992 525i/5-spd, 250K mi
    17inch wheels

  6. #16
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    9,249

    Default

    In general the VIN decoder does not mention an item which is standard, the items listed are just the optional extras.

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    19

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by whiskychaser View Post
    Yes, I contacted BMW ZA but they couldnt provide any more information than what you posted. It is a little poor when they didnt even record the colour of the car :-) The VIN plate said it was an AHL. BMW ZA had to contact Germany about that and confirmed it was similar to what the UK calls 'SE'. I have only seen HL it applied to a 6 series! Anyway, getting a bit OT.

    Has the car had an ECU change or electrical issue recently?

    Never replace the ECU, replace one ignition coil before. There is also a relay for O2 sensor color orange, ill try to unplug it and start the car, the engine would not run. How to alter the ECU, it is just by changing its chip?
    Last edited by redled; 07-15-2013 at 05:12 AM.

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Oldham, England
    Posts
    3,078

    Default

    If it has that relay, there is no way it ever left the factory without a cat. Yes, you will have 3 relays in the ebox - main, fuel pump and O2 sensor. Of course, mine only had the first two. I cant explain why your car didnt throw the CEL before or how to go about changing the ECU software. The simplest solution may be a trip to the breakers to get a cat? If you fit one, the car will probably run better, use less fuel and have a cleaner exhaust.
    Oct '00 E46 330i. Feb '92 525i (departed)

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    4,374

    Default

    In addition to what everyone else said:

    You only have the relay if it has a 4 wire sensor (it pre-heats the O2 sensor to operational temperature at start time). All M50s and M60s have 4 wire sensors, so all cat versions should have the relay. Check for that before deciding your car came from the factory without the cat as cars can get messed with in strange ways over the years.

    An example might be
    Plenty of people get bad exhausts and buy pre-loved replacements from wreckers who buy parts from overseas. Few use part references as anything other than to work out what might fit and run, rather than what will fit or work properly.

    If your car was non-katalyst;
    - you may have a faulty coil. Engine will not run right, may be intermittent and heat related.
    - you may have a faulty ECU. Burnt out transistor/s. May still work intermittently though- again same symptoms as having bad coil/s.
    - you may need a non-kat ROM chip (check the ECU part number in the ETK parts manual).
    i. If it is (your problem is above) and you are able, please copy the chip and share it with me- I need one!)

    If you have a kat version ECU maybe the ECU was swapped at some point (unless it was a factory kat version). Like me, you will need a ROM chip with the right fuel map to make it run properly and possibly stop throwing errors. A good option might be a Miller performance WAR chip which you can self-program to match the exhaust (you can even save sports and economy mode fuel maps which you can switch on the fly :-).

    Other far less likely possible causes:
    Engine coolant temp sensor (ECU one nearest the driver, not the gauge one)
    Crankshaft sensor (CPS)
    Cam sensor
    Knock sensor

    Join the Aussie
    540i LE yahoo forum

    08/88 535i e34 M30+miller MAF, 'stiens, tints & teeth!

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    19

    Default

    I'll check

Page 2 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Error Codes reads '1221'
    By Calico_NC in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 03-19-2007, 10:48 AM
  2. DME 1221 Code M60 - O2 sensor Relay
    By new540iowner in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 09-06-2006, 11:12 PM
  3. help with code 1221
    By xphilter in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-01-2005, 11:40 PM
  4. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 01-02-2005, 02:31 PM
  5. Check Engine Code 1221-->Replace O2 Sensor?
    By Eric Fraser in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 09-20-2004, 08:22 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •