The BMW E90 series is the fifth generation of the BMW three Series, a range of compact government cars. The automobile is on the market as a touring (designated as E91), motorcar (E92), and motorcar cab (E93). A superior BMW money supply version of the E90, E92, and E93 are on the market. But as we all know, every luxurious thing is more complicated than that of others, so the BMW e90 sometimes has problems, but the most notable are the BMW e90 ECU Problems.

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What Is ECU In A Car?
The abbreviation of ECU is engine control unit. An engine control unit (ECU), additionally unremarkably known as an engine control module (ECM), is a kind of electronic control unit that controls a series of actuators on an enclosed combustion engine to confirm the best engine performance. It will do this by reading values from a mess of sensors inside the engine bay, deciphering the information victimization of three-dimensional performance maps (called search tables), and adjusting the engine actuators. Before ECUs, air-fuel mixture, ignition temporal arrangement, and idle speed were automatically set and dynamically controlled by mechanical and gas means.
If it has control over the fuel lines, then it’s observed as an electronic engine system (EEMS). The mechanical system has the most important role of dominant the engine’s fuel provide. Now we hope that you know about What Is ECU In A Car?
Main Symptoms Of Bad BMW e90 ECU Problems
- Check the engine light
- The engine stalls.
- Poor fuel economy
- Decrease in engine performance
- The Car Doesn’t start.
Major BMW e90 ECU Problems
BMW ABS/DSC Pump
This BMW ABS/DSC pump is quite common failure for the BMW 3-Series (E90), Z4, 1-series, and M5 engineered between 2005 and 2014. The common symptom is that the ABS, DSC, and handbrake warning lights stay for good. If you have got performed a diagnostic scan then, you might even have the subsequent fault codes keep among the ABS system; “5DF0-Hydraulic Unit Pump Motor” and “5DF1-Hydraulic Unit Pump Motor Connecter Faulty”. These fault codes may clear initially; however, they’ll invariably come back and become a permanent fault. A brand-new unit from BMW main dealers is extremely high-priced and comes with a brief 1-year warrantee.
Failure Symptoms
- The illumination of the ABS and DSC warning light.
Engine Misfire
Engine misfire could be quite a common downside across the E90 very fitted with this engine ECU. The vehicle can begin to run rough and develop an engine misfire over one or a lot of cylinders and can usually get worse and worse over time.
When diagnosis the matter, using the mistreatment scan tools, you’ll pick codes for convenience circuit failure and/or combustion misfire, you’ll jointly notice missing convenience signals from the ECU.
If left untreated, the faulty ECU can become the reason behind the BMW E90 not beginning, and communications to the engine management system could become not possible.
Purchasing a replacement is incredibly pricey, it’ll need to be added to the vehicle at an additional expense and can solely be lined by a brief one-year pledge.
Our BMW ECU repair can resolve all of those problems for a fraction of the value of a replacement ECU. We’ll additionally retain all the initial cryptography in order that there’s no want for a fashionable trip to induce, it coded. We will check and make your engine ECU at intervals of 2-3 operating days and supply a limitless mile life pledge.
Failure Symptoms
- Engine misfire
- No injector signals
- Runs rough.
- No start
- The engine control light illuminated.
Throttle Actuator
This throttle actuator is quite a common drawback for all BMW M5 & M3 vehicles fitted with the S85 & S65 engines. Failure of the throttle mechanism can cause the engine to travel into ‘limp mode with the DSC and EML light on the instrument cluster. The common fault codes are ‘2B15 – throttle mechanism Bank 1’ & 2B16 – throttle actuator Bank 2’. Usually, the engine could run fine for around five minutes close to before these symptoms occur.
This throttle actuator could be a common drawback because of a style flaw from when the interior gears were initially factory-made, inflicting them to wear untimely and overload the interior physics that management the mechanism. After we build your own throttle mechanism, we have a tendency to replace all internal elements with higher-rated versions, thus making certain that the mechanism won’t fail once more.
Failure Symptoms
- Loss of power
- A vehicle going into ‘limp mode
- DSC & EML light on.
Turbo Actuator
This is an awfully normal fault for all BMW three Series diesel designed between 2005 and 2010. Once the mechanism fails, it causes the engine to lose power suddenly and intermittently. The reduction of power is often quite severe because the engine can feel like it’s lost regarding half its overall H.P. If you switch the engine off and leave it for a jiffy, then it’ll unremarkably rectify – however, the fault forever returns and simply gets worse over time.
When bestowed with this failure, BMW’s main dealerships can ask BMW to resolve the difficulty with a wholly new turbo kit: at huge amounts of cash. Turbo actuators aren’t sold singly from turbochargers, which means you’ll have to be compelled to purchase a full kit even once your own turbo remains smart.
Failure Symptoms
- Loss of power
- Limp home mode.
Power Steering Racks
This BMW three Series, one Series, and Z4 electrical power steering rack motor may be quite a common fault for the 2006 – 2016 build.
Complete and unforeseen loss of power power-assisted steering, caused by the failure of this unit, can cause the steering to become implausibly significant at low speeds creating maneuverability terribly tough, particularly once attempting to park.
A clear sign that the steering rack motor has been unsuccessful may be lack of communication to diagnostic instrumentality. This elementary failure will typically result in long identification and labor times thanks to the character of this inherent common failure with the BMW E90 and E92 steering rack.
Failure Symptoms
- Intermittent to complete loss of the assisted steering
- Power steering warning light
Cost of BMW E90 ECU Repairing
Of course, it is costly to cope with BMW E90’s problems. ECU Repairing will be terribly pricey. The half alone will value between $1,000 and $3,000, looking at the build and model of your vehicle. Luckily, the ECU will be repaired or reprogrammed in several cases. Thus preventing the necessity to truly replace an ECU.
Average Cost At A Garage
You should expect to pay between $150 and $300 at an area shop or service center simply to own the ECU inspected and tested. In several cases, the faulty ECU may be repaired or reprogrammed, and this sort of repair can sometimes run between $300 to $750, reckoning on the build and model of your vehicle. Within the unfortunate event that you simply have to be compelled to replace the ECU, you ought to add $500 to $600 to the price of the half for labor to put in and program the new ECU.
Online ECU Repairing Services
These days, there are several online firms that offer ECU Repairing services additionally. These firms enable you to send your faulty ECU to their location for repair. They are doing the work, so ship it back to you. For several models of vehicles, you’ll notice online repair services for between $300 and $400 for the entire repair or reprogram of the ECU. However, there are service suppliers that auction their services on sites like eBay which will perform the work for us for as little as $50.
Conclusion
As you see, ECU or DME Control Module is the most luxurious inventions of this era, so that’s why it is much more complicated to cope with their problems and solution, and, of course, lots of questions related to this will be kept in your mind related to these great inventions. But now you have the answers about the BMW E90 ECU Problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reset my BMW ECU?
To reset the ECU, undo the negative on the battery and wait 10-15 minutes. Or undo negative and positive lines and bit along to ground out any power which may be lingering.
Is it bad to reset your ECU?
Resetting the ECU doesn’t cause the ECU to find out engine changes any quicker. The ECU often follows the gradual changes within the engine sensors and actuators. The ECU gets excited with a setting, and it often changes the trim values.
What ECU for BMW?
An engine control unit (ECU), usually referred to as an engine control module (ECM), is a kind of electronic management unit that controls a series of actuators on an inside combustion engine to make sure optimum engine performance. The fuel injection system has the foremost role of dominating the engine’s fuel.
Where is that ECU on BMW e90?
Locate the ECU. The ECU is below a black plastic cowl on the traveler facet on the brink of the firewall. Take away the quilt by undoing the clip within the front, and also the clip within the back.
How do I reset my e90 computer?
Follow the steps below to reset a BMW computer.
Turn your key to the accent position once the lights and radio return on (before beginning the car).
Press and hold the “Trip” button on the board till the red light comes on.
Press the “Trip” button a second time and hold till your computer is “Reset”.
Hi, I am Muhammad Daim – an automotive lover and researcher. I am a co-founder at AutomotiveGuider.com. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science but cars and trucks have always been my passion. My goal is to always learn new skills and share my experience with the world.