M3 CS stranded me 200 miles from home

[dezzracer]

Drove car up to another house last night 200 miles away and car ran fine. No codes. Shut it off in driveway unloaded trunk then went back out started it up and pulled into garage and shut it off. Everything seemed fine. No warnings lights that I noticed. Opened the driver door this morning heard two chimes and saw a red notice on the dash that said drivetrain, stop safely. WTF? Hit the starter button without foot on brake to turn on accessories and checked iDrive which gave me the same drivetrain notice. Got out looked under car no fluids leaking. Thought about it for a second then tried to start it. It cranks fine but will not start. Called BMW roadside assistance and they were able to connect to car and here's what it read: Code1: relay ignition and injector voltage supply. Code 2: Valvetronic voltage supply.

So ... I'm dead in the water and they're sending a flatbed from Las Vegas. I confirmed with both BMW and the towing company they need to bring go jacks, race ramps, and tire webbing to tie the car down so as not to damage my wheels. Anyway this sucks. BMW is going to get me a rental car so I can get back home as they will not let you ride with the driver because of Covid. Errrrrr...

[coldsteelrain]

That sucks
Are you stock? No mods?

[dezzracer]

Originally Posted by coldsteelrain

That sucks
Are you stock? No mods?

Bone stock. :

[coldsteelrain]

Originally Posted by dezzracer

Bone stock. :

These are very reliable cars. Don't let this dishearten you. Whatever it is they will fix it. The inconvenience might suck but at least you were not in the middle of who knows where or had a bad crash.
Good luck and stay safe

[DocL]

Actually besides the car having this problem, everything else worked out pretty well for you.

You weren't stranded on the side of the road and BMW is towing the car to your preferred dealer. And I assume thy are dropping off a rental car to you.

[ellipsis212]

Plus you avoided an uncomfortable 200 mile ride with Freakshow

[dezzracer]

Update: was on phone with BMW as they wanted me to try a process to get car in neutral by turning on accessories first then push brake hit starter and move gear selector to neutral at same time. It went to neutral but then it kept cranking and wouldn't start so had to push start button again to stop it from cranking and it immediately went to park again. Turns out that method only works when you have a lock out button on your gear selector.

Here's where it gets weird.. I tried that same sequence again just for shits and giggles and the car started. I turned it off and on several times went to neutral, drive , reverse and took it around the block brought it home shut it down 15 minutes later I open the door and it gives me the same code and won't start. It seems to be fine once it starts but obviously something is up.

Now question is do I have a flatbed drive 200 miles to come pick it up and take to dealer or do I take a chance once it's started without shutting it off and drive it straight home to my dealer. : What you guys think ?

[dezzracer]

One more thing. When car is running normally is the one amber and two redline rpm lights always lit? They are now once the car starts but cant remember if they stay lit up continuously. Thanks.

[djarchow]

Are you still under warranty and roadside assistance? If so let them flatbed it for you. You would hate to have something go out at 70 mph and trash something in the engine. Or you are struck on the highway for 3 hours waiting for a tow truck.

[zorrro]

I wouldn't risk it.

[dezzracer]

Yes under warranty. It appears it has something to do with starter relay sequence and it's intermittent. My best guess anyway.

[RustySeatbelt]

I'd say take the rental. No sense in risking additional damage to the car which puts you out of it longer just to avoid the tow.

[dezzracer]

Originally Posted by RustySeatbelt

I'd say take the rental. No sense in risking additional damage to the car which puts you out of it longer just to avoid the tow.

Yeah that's what I'm leaning towards. At least now I think I can get it started which avoids the whole can't get it in neutral issue when loading on flat bed.

[Drj161]

Maybe you should have gotten yourself an air-cooled Porsche, getting a f series appliance is the reason you got stuck Jokes aside, Sorry to hear your experience. Stay safe out there bro.

Keep us updated on the fix

[dezzracer]

Originally Posted by Drj161

Maybe you should have gotten yourself an air-cooled Porsche, getting a f series appliance is the reason you got stuck Jokes aside, Sorry to hear your experience. Stay safe out there bro.

Keep us updated on the fix

Or a Jeep. Lol. I've had two Cherokees and four Grand Cherokees in the last 25 years and not one of them has ever left me stranded. I splurge on 100k German car ( I didn't pay MSRP tho ) and it's strands me with 8k miles on the clock. :

Anyway flatbed will be here in the morning. In the meantime I'm going to jump in my 1960 Willys truck and go to the store.

[icebiker]

Originally Posted by dezzracer

One more thing. When car is running normally is the one amber and two redline rpm lights always lit? They are now once the car starts but cant remember if they stay lit up continuously. Thanks.

Yep they are always lit. Agree with others don't chance it and get it flatbedded.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by dezzracer

Or a Jeep. Lol. I've had two Cherokees and four Grand Cherokees in the last 25 years and not one of them has ever left me stranded. I splurge on 100k German car ( I didn't pay MSRP tho ) and it's strands me with 8k miles on the clock. :

Anyway flatbed will be here in the morning. In the meantime I'm going to jump in my 1960 Willys truck and go to the store.

That’s annoying but full warranty, free maintenance and loaner for the win!

[Mazen189]

This is probably something stupid simple that will hopefully get it worked out

Sorry about that inconvenience

[dezzracer]

To close out this thread it was a faulty integrated supply module. Part # 12-63-7-614-585.

Car made the 200 mile flat bed ride to dealer and back to me in 3 days without a scratch. I have to say that BMW roadside assistance was excellent. They diagnosed the fault code via satellite while the car was in my garage. Tow truck driver was knowledgeable and had all the right equipment to load a performance car with a DCT. Right down to the tire webbing tiedown straps so they would not damage the finish of the wheels.

[clutchdj]

Nice

[pikkagtr]

happy endings are always good to see

no go for an unnecessarily long 1hr milk run

[dezzracer]

Originally Posted by pikkagtr

happy endings are always good to see

no go for an unnecessarily long 1hr milk run

Lol. I've been know to do that. Glad I'm not the only crazy one.