Could this be an ECU problem?

[BMW_Fan2020]

Greetings, everyone,

i have a 2014 518d BMW. Recently, I have been seeing a problem where the engine suddenly turns off while driving off with a cold engine, but the whole engine does not shut down. It displays a Driving Stabilisation Error.

I brought it to a BMW independent expert in London who diagnosed it as a potential ECU problem and offered to fix it for £500. I bought an identical ECU on Ebay, but it was cloned. After driving for a short while, the problem message for Driving Stabilisation reappeared. He said that it does not seem to be an ECU problem. I brought it to Halfords for code reading, and they also said that it seems to be an ECU problem. I prefer not to bring it to BMW due to negative past experiences, such as being paid for a new key and sensor when the fault was with the antenna. I have transcribed the codes below that I retrieved from an OBD scanner. Should I take my vehicle to BMW or to a separate independent specialist?


1
SAFETY(41)
Code: CF1541 ECU: Transmission control unit [Archived (inactive)]
Status: Confirmed, Test failed after the latest DTC reset

2
SAF15(31)
Code: CF1531 ECU: Transmission control unit (Archive - inactive)
Status: Confirmed, Test failed after the latest DTC reset

3
SAFETY(21)
Code: CF1521 ECU: Transmission control unit (Archived - inactive)
Status: Confirmed, Test failed after the previous Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) was cleared

4
SAF15(11)
Code: CF1511 ECU: Transmission control unit (Archived - inactive)
Status: Confirmed, Test failed after the latest DTC reset

5
SAFETY(01)
Code: CF1501 ECU: Transmission control unit (Archived - inactive)
Status: Confirmed, Test failed after the previous Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) was cleared

6
SAF14(61)
Code: CF1461 ECU: Transmission control unit (Archived - inactive)
Status: Confirmed, Test failed after the previous Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) was cleared

7
SAF20(C1)
Code: CF20C1 ECU: Transmission control unit (Archive - inactive)
Status: Confirmed, Test failed after the previous Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) was cleared

8
SAF19(C1)
Code: CF19C1 ECU: Transmission control unit (Archived - inactive)
Status: Confirmed, Test failed after latest DTC reset

9
SF04(03)
Code: CF0403 ECU: Transmission control unit (Archived, inactive)
Status: Confirmed, Test failed after the previous Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) was cleared

10
SAF04(7F)
Unprocessed code: CF047F
ECU: Gearbox control unit (Archived, inactive)
Status: Confirmed, Test failed after the previous Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) was cleared

11
SAF17(01)
Code: CF1701 ECU: Transmission control unit (Archived - inactive)
Status: Confirmed, Test failed after the last DTC clear

12
P28A7(00)
Code: 28A700 ECU: Engine Control Unit (Inactive Archive)
Status: Confirmed, Test failed after the latest DTC reset

13
P28A6(00)
Code: 28A600 ECU: Engine Control Unit (Archive - inactive)
Status: Confirmed, Test failed after the previous Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) was cleared

14
P285C(00)
Code: 285C00 ECU: Engine control unit (Archived, dormant)
Status: Confirmed. Test failed after the last Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) was cleared. Test was not finished in this operation cycle.
On-Board Diagnostics II: Malfunction in the operation of the transmission shift fork actuator A circuit

15
P2ABB(00)
Raw code: 2ABB00 ECU: Engine Control Unit
Status: Test failed, Test failed (current driving cycle), Pending, Confirmed, Test failed since previous DTC clear

16
P24EF(00)
Code: 24EF00 ECU: Engine control unit (Archived - inactive)
Status: Confirmed, Test failed after latest DTC reset

17
P28D7(00)
Code in its original form: 28D700
ECU stands for Engine Control Unit.
Status: Pending, Confirmed, Test failed after previous DTC reset, Test not completed in current operating cycle

18
Error code P24EC(00)
Code in its original form: 24EC00
ECU stands for Engine Control Unit.
Status: Test failed, Test failed (current driving cycle), Pending, Confirmed, Test failed since previous DTC clear

19
U1164
Code: D164 ECU: Transmission control unit
Confirmed

20
U0075
Code in its original form: C075
ECU stands for Electronic Control Unit that manages the gearbox system.
Confirmed

21
U0073
Code: C073 ECU: Transmission control unit
Confirmed
OBDII: Control module is disconnected from the data bus.

22
P0607
Unprocessed code: 0607
ECU stands for Engine Control Unit.
Confirmed
OBDII: Engine control module (ECM) experiencing performance issue

23
The code is P22AC.
Unprocessed code: 22AC
ECU stands for Engine Control Unit.
Confirmed
OBDII code: HO2S 2, bank 1, positive current control circuit low

Thank you very much

[sighn34]

If an ECU is cloned using data from the original ECU and the data is corrupted, then the cloned ECU will also be corrupted.

Additionally, depending on the previous programming of the second-hand ECU in a certain automobile, there may be residual data that has not been overwritten when utilising the cloning method.

Furthermore, how can you be certain that the second-hand ECU you purchased from eBay does not have the same issue as your current ECU?

Many consumers bring me a second-hand ECU purchased from eBay, just for us to confirm that they are defective.


For how long have you had your car?

Has it had a complete BMW update? I encountered a similar issue with my M135i when it was 2 1/2 years old and I took it to a major dealer for treatment under a 3-year service plan.

After receiving the automobile, I drove it up the road and it repeatedly lost communication with the transmission.
After the primary dealer was unable to repair the automobile for weeks, I retrieved it and reprogrammed the whole vehicle myself, restoring it to normal functioning.

[BMW_Fan2020]

I have had this automobile for two and a half years.
Concerning your arguments:

1. The individual who cloned it informed me that they had updated the most recent software on the replacement ECU. I attempted to start the vehicle after they reinstalled the replaced ECU, but the problem persisted.

2. He informed me that he transferred all data from the defective ECU to the rebuilt one, but the problem persisted.

3. He successfully started the vehicle with the new ECU, but it displayed several problems on the screen related to AdBlue and other issues. I suspect the issue was caused by the prior automobile since my current car does not need AdBlue. He informed me that he had upgraded it, which resolved all the faults. However, I noticed the engine management light now illuminated on the dashboard, a feature that was not there with the original ECU.

Should I submit my ECU for diagnostic and repair to organisations that provide this service, or can you assist with this?

Thank you

[sighn34]

Sending your ECU without the immobiliser and key and then testing it on the same sort of vehicle is pointless.

The blue tint appeared due to residual data from the original automobile not being overwritten during cloning.
I do not recommend cloning ECUs since it may lead to further issues, especially as many individuals utilise clone tools that can create difficulties.

Your original ECU has been overwritten with data from your cloned ECU, which contains incorrect information for your automobile.

I would only consider addressing this issue if we owned the automobile.

You have introduced other issues that are not visible.

[BMW_Fan2020]

I am presently utilising the original ECU as a replacement. The one that displayed "add blue" and other functions that were not functioning properly was returned. The original ECU was not altered and was reinstalled since the replacement did not function.

[sighn34]

So, just to clarify, he hasn't reprogrammed your original ECU in any way?

Did you return the ECU you purchased on eBay after allowing someone to tamper with it?

Who attempted to clone your ECU?

[BMW_Fan2020]

He informed me that he just duplicated the data from the original ECU to the new ECU. I returned the new ECU since it had the same problem, and reinstalled the old ECU. The individual's name was "Dan Constantin," and I obtained the information from Facebook Marketplace.

I brought the vehicle to Higham Park Motors, where they diagnosed a defective ECU and quoted me £500 for repair.

[sighn34]

That's why I never recommend folks to see someone who duplicates ECUs.

You need to pick an experienced individual to begin with.

Did you inform the eBay seller of the modifications you made to the ECU before returning it?

[BMW_Fan2020]

Yes, I informed the seller about the repair done on the returned ECU.
Can you assist with investigating this problem, and can I schedule a time to bring the vehicle over?

[sighn34]

We can examine it and would need the automobile for a few days.

We have a lengthy waiting list for problematic vehicles, and it may take many months before we can inspect them.