Fault 151 MSS50 Control Module Fault - Driver Fault / Knock Sensor 2

[bertiejaffa]

Hi all… bit of a lengthy problem with a few questions so please bear with me.

My Z3M (S50 - 1998) has started with an intermittent misfire issue which takes down the whole of bank2 (cylinders 4,5,6). No warning lights come on and the issue eventually rights itself but has started returning often. The car is now with my local indie garage who managed to get a reader on it while it was under the issue and his code reader read 151 MSS50 CONTROL MODULE FAULT - DRIVER FAULT

However while googling the issue for any fixes I came across this website http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/1229818 which lists many codes for different engines and models - it does list the Control Module Fault against the S50/E36/Z3M but it also lists 151 KNOCK SENSOR 2 as a fault code against the S50 engine albeit in the E36 model (Not Z3).

I am hoping that it is the knock sensor that’s faulty and we are going to try and test this by swapping Knock Sensor 1 & 2 around and hopefully the fault will move to bank 1. However in the circumstance that it is the ECU that’s got an issue….

Q1. Has anyone ever had any of these issues before?
Q2. Does anyone know anywhere that can test /fix the ECU module?

Thanks Lee

 

[Althulas]

Hi Lee I had a recent error on mine as not starting.

9B MS 550
control-modula
fault
Fault memory, master

My problem was related to damp and a dead fuel pump but is still a little lumpy after changing it and I still need to chase a few things but while searching I did come across this

Infuriating idle issue - ECU fault? - Z3MCoupe.com Forums

Please post any technical questions, advice on upgrades, mods, servicing etc here.

www.mcoupe.co.uk

I don’t know if this might be of help if it comes to needing ECU repair

https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/mss50-dme-ecu-failure-repair.214867/

 

[bertiejaffa]

Thanks, not sure its the same issue though - the car runs and starts fine but then, occasionally, there is a very audible and noticeable engine change and the power is down - I did initially think it was just a single coil pack and so bought a spare one to change it out when it happened again. Strangely after happening last spring it never happened again until this spring - doing some 10000 miles in between

When it happened this time I took off the coil cover and started pulling the leads off the coils 1 by 1 starting at the front, the first 3 coils made the engine run even worse then on coil 4 there was no change so I thought bingo…. That’s the duff one and swapped it out, however it made no difference - I then pulled the leads off 5 & 6 and they too made no difference to the running of the engine - that’s when I realised its something controlling the entire bank 2

 

[Nodzed]

Hi Lee, cant help with the fault but if you need a ECU repair then I used these for the ECU issue I had with the M. Very good company to deal with, not cheap but 2 other places said they couldn't read it or repair it, these guys deal with older BMWs.

LINK ECU Repairs

 

[bertiejaffa]

Thanks Niall

 

[Nodzed]

Just read this again Lee. Driver fault is I believe a hardware issue in the ecu, my problem was the same, driver issue, just a different code relating to a different problem.

 

[Nodzed]

EndTuning - BMW Codes

EndTuning - A list of the specific BMW codes produced by various BMW modules, including DME and DDE codes.

www.endtuning.com

Go to site and click on MSS50

 

[bertiejaffa]

Thanks Niall

**UPDATE** My Indie (Ultimate BM in Chadderton for anyone needing a brilliant indie btw) has identified that the Z3M actually has 3 knock sensors and not 2 as we initially thought / assumed by the fact that the E36 M3 only appears to have 2. I am guessing nobody is aware which does what on this forum but if you have any ideas please can you let me know

Thanks

 

[bertiejaffa]

Just an update to close this thread and issue out.

Firstly - trying to find somewhere that can still read these ECUs is increasingly difficult - I rang over 20 companies and sent it off to a few only to have it returned to say that they were unable to read it because it was too old.

Secondly - the option of cloning it was pretty much impossible. With the more common models it would be possible to buy a replacement / donor module and have it cloned, however, with such a limited number of Z3Ms built with the S50 engine, there are no spares out there…. I did finally find 1 and he wanted £1,400 for it…. !!!!!

In the end I managed to get in touch with a company called Allcarelectronics… as soon as the guy answered the phone I could tell he was an “old boy” and was going to be able to help me. He said he should be able to sort it out and got me to send the ECU down to the Isle of Wight - reading between the lines I think a lot of these companies sub out the old ECU repairs to a company called Avilec based there…. Anyway, the ECU was sent and they were able to diagnose a specific chip that had failed.

Replacements can either be Chinese copies, or the real deal from Germany - not wanting to have to go through this ever again I went for the German one which took nearly 2 months to arrive but ultimately fixed the issue and so far (touch wood) the engine is back to running on both banks again…

I guess as these cars get older we will possibly see more and more issues like this so hopefully it might help someone in the future.

 

[Althulas]

This the company? http://www.avilec.co.uk/services/
If so bookmarked

 

[HansZolof]

Hello, is this the company that fixes the ecu?
i have a similar problem for many years and installed a standalone ecu but want to repair the original
thank you

 

[HansZolof]

This the company? http://www.avilec.co.uk/services/
If so bookmarked

Hello can you verify that this company fixed the ecu? Thank you

 

[bertiejaffa]

Hello can you verify that this company fixed the ecu? Thank you

Yes, and they only need the ECU - they dont need all the other stuff out of the car... Try the Avilec to begin with because it seems like they are the ones everyone subcontactracts to, failing that go to Allcarelectronics - the old boy is called John - He is a good guy.

Update the thread to let us know how you go on

 

[HansZolof]

Hello,
Thank you so much for your kind assistace.
I have talked with them and sent the ECU for repair.
It is an opportunity to make some maintenance to the car also.
While wait for the ECU to be fixed I will change the suspesnsion and bushings also.

 

[Lulubell]

Hello,
Thank you so much for your kind assistace.
I have talked with them and sent the ECU for repair.
It is an opportunity to make some maintenance to the car also.
While wait for the ECU to be fixed I will change the suspesnsion and bushings also.

Hi mate..
Any updates with avilec repairs?

Replacements can either be Chinese copies, or the real deal from Germany - not wanting to have to go through this ever again I went for the German one which took nearly 2 months to arrive but ultimately fixed the issue and so far (touch wood) the engine is back to running on both banks again…

Hi mate..
Did avilec replace the chip from Germany? Or you had to get a complete ecu (DME)
Cheers both..

 

[HansZolof]

Hi mate..
Any updates with avilec repairs?

Hello,
waiting still for a chip that was kaputt and a repair of a corroded circuit.
Estimated to be available end of November.