Engine just shuts off while at a standstill in neutral

[GreenFrog]

Have done the inspection I recommended above? It would be nice to rule out the easy stuff.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

No.. I'm mechanically retarded so I don't know how to inspect the things you mentioned except for maybe the MAF. Is that the plug that clips into my cold air intake? I installed the aFE CAI and I remember a sensor plugging into it. The other things you mentioned.. I have no clue what you're talking about.

Mmm...I would just take it to BMW, have them figure put what's wrong, authorize no repairs, until you know how much. Doesn't sound like your gonna DIY any of it?

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

No DIY.. Don't have the tools, time, or knowledge. Do you suggest I go to a BMW dealership instead of a bmw-specific mechanic? I'd probably pay for an hour of labor, I'm assuming.

[aurelius]

I would counsel against a dealership unless your trust fund has weathered recent market turmoil unscathed.

Look in the maintenance forum for a sticky on how to find a good local independent BMW shop.

Btw, we were all once brand new to this but the Internet has greatly enabled automotive DIY culture.

There are text and or video DIY procedures for anything E46 but if time, tools, a place to work, etc., are all in the way, go the indie shop route.

Note: 4 of the 5 items I recommend in my earlier post can leave you stranded and the 5th (vanos rebuild) will have to be done eventually and will pay you back in mpg as soon as it's done.

Warning: do not just tell some shop to rehab your VANOS unit. They'll bill you $500 (plus labor) for the rebuilt BMW version, which uses the same old problematic seals and you'll therefore be back on the VANOS down swing in no time.

[danewilson77]

No.. I'm mechanically retarded so I don't know how to inspect the things you mentioned except for maybe the MAF. Is that the plug that clips into my cold air intake? I installed the aFE CAI and I remember a sensor plugging into it. The other things you mentioned.. I have no clue what you're talking about.



No DIY.. Don't have the tools, time, or knowledge. Do you suggest I go to a BMW dealership instead of a bmw-specific mechanic? I'd probably pay for an hour of labor, I'm assuming.

Yes. I mean....us telling you what we think is wrong, may shed some light, but if you're not going to DIY, and take to an indy/dealer, they will figure it out and make the repairs. I mean...without looking at and performing some of the tests above, its just too hard to tell you what's up....for sure. Feel free to report back, with what they tell you is wrong. Especially if you smell bullshit.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[aurelius]

OP: didn't you have an extended warranty or was that someone else who bought a ZHP recently?

[MasterC17]

Make sure when you installed the AFE intake the harness that goes under the intake boots is in front of the MAF. Otherwise it can compress the boots and cause the car to run poorly. Unlikely if the car idles fine, but possible. While you are in there just make sure the boots aren't being constricted in any way. Easy/good place to start - car needs air.

[GreenFrog]

OP: didn't you have an extended warranty or was that someone else who bought a ZHP recently?

Correct. I bought my ZHP at the dealership at the end of June and got a warranty with it. I'm worried the CAI and angel eyes will void it though...

Make sure when you installed the AFE intake the harness that goes under the intake boots is in front of the MAF. Otherwise it can compress the boots and cause the car to run poorly. Unlikely if the car idles fine, but possible. While you are in there just make sure the boots aren't being constricted in any way. Easy/good place to start - car needs air.

Not sure what harness you're referring to -- again, sort of a car noob here. But I do recall being meticulous with my install.

[danewilson77]

Correct. I bought my ZHP at the dealership at the end of June and got a warranty with it. I'm worried the CAI and angel eyes will void it though...



Not sure what harness you're referring to -- again, sort of a car noob here. But I do recall being meticulous with my install.

Not sure either. The only thing I have that goes under boots is MAF sensor wires.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Hornung418]

If the MAF is not perfectly horisontal, the readings can be off and effect performance. Always make sure you route the connections as similar to stock as possible.

RootedDROIDXstatus. Come at me, bro.

[GreenFrog]

If the MAF is not perfectly horisontal, the readings can be off and effect performance. Always make sure you route the connections as similar to stock as possible.

RootedDROIDXstatus. Come at me, bro.

Not trying to argue or anything, but how would the MAF not be perfectly horizontal? All I had to do was clip it in until it clicked..

[Hornung418]

Just try rotating the MAF 180° and judging the performance. I'm not sure why it happens. But it's effected me with a long tube CAI. Made sure to keep it level with stock factory settings for best results. aFe should have the option to clip in, so it shouldn't be an issue, but if not level it will rear it's ugly head.

RootedDROIDXstatus. Come at me, bro.