Drivetrain Malfunction on 2011 535i

WillTC · 03-31-2014, 09:40 PM

Hi all,

I own a 2011 535i Sport 8AT with 54k miles (out of warranty...)
I just received a message for drivetrain malfunction, please drive moderately. There seems to be no vibration or abnormalities other than the fact that the car is noticeably weaker in power. Do you know if this was ever issued a recall, or should I try to save money by taking it into an independent shop?

Thanks!

gtron · 03-31-2014, 10:24 PM

hope it's not the injectors.

some of them need all the injectors replaced. imo it should be a recall but i don't think it is since they only address it "as needed".

if it is the injectors, i would make a big deal about it and see if they would do it anyway since it's a common problem.

good luck.

ezmaass · 04-01-2014, 11:41 AM

A lot of these drivetrain malfunctions seem to be attributed to failed injectors, but that seems to be most popular on the pre-LCI 550 (N63 engine) that was using the last generation injector.

On the LCI 550 (N63Tu engine) the injectors have now been updated to the same used in the N55, which haven't been prone to failure - not that they can't fail, but don't seem to be unusually problematic. I would imagine the 2011 535 was using the N55, correct?

Nal13 on this board (who has an LCI 550) recently reported an injector issue that eventually lead to a buy-back of his brand new car. So, maybe we're not completely out of the woods yet with injectors... but the N55 has been around since the LCI e90, and seems to be pretty solid. So...

The drivetrain message can appear for a number of different reasons that posters have reported - some minor, some very major (up to and including one guy who had a complete engine rebuild... again, an N63 550 though). I would just take it in to BMW and have them diagnose it.

Grover432 · 04-01-2014, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezmaass

A lot of these drivetrain malfunctions seem to be attributed to failed injectors, but that seems to be most popular on the pre-LCI 550 (N63 engine) that was using the last generation injector.

On the LCI 550 (N63Tu engine) the injectors have now been updated to the same used in the N55, which haven't been prone to failure - not that they can't fail, but don't seem to be unusually problematic. I would imagine the 2011 535 was using the N55, correct?

Nal13 on this board (who has an LCI 550) recently reported an injector issue that eventually lead to a buy-back of his brand new car. So, maybe we're not completely out of the woods yet with injectors... but the N55 has been around since the LCI e90, and seems to be pretty solid. So...

The drivetrain message can appear for a number of different reasons that posters have reported - some minor, some very major (up to and including one guy who had a complete engine rebuild... again, an N63 550 though). I would just take it in to BMW and have them diagnose it.

The OP is driving a 535

Grover432 · 04-01-2014, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillTC

Hi all,

I own a 2011 535i Sport 8AT with 54k miles (out of warranty...)
I just received a message for drivetrain malfunction, please drive moderately. There seems to be no vibration or abnormalities other than the fact that the car is noticeably weaker in power. Do you know if this was ever issued a recall, or should I try to save money by taking it into an independent shop?

Thanks!

I'd take it to the dealer at least to have them read the codes.

utlax20 · 04-01-2014, 04:34 PM

It's unfortunate that such a great car company has not figured out these problems. (I have the same issue on my 2011 550i 3rd time now... I mean nothing compares to my 550 i...i love everything about it but this reliability stuff is important when the car is $80,000....Am i the only one that feels that way????

paul223 · 04-01-2014, 10:39 PM

think about how much fun you have when all injectors are injecting. lol

Sharbotcom · 04-02-2014, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillTC

Hi all,

I own a 2011 535i Sport 8AT with 54k miles (out of warranty...)
I just received a message for drivetrain malfunction, please drive moderately. There seems to be no vibration or abnormalities other than the fact that the car is noticeably weaker in power. Do you know if this was ever issued a recall, or should I try to save money by taking it into an independent shop?

Thanks!

How is your battery? I've had the same issue three times over the last three years and each time it was due to a low battery.

ezmaass · 04-02-2014, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grover432

The OP is driving a 535

Yes, I'm aware - as I said in my response, the N55 should have the same injectors on the N63Tu, hence eliminating some of the suspicion around injectors being the problem here.

WillTC · 04-02-2014, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharbotcom

How is your battery? I've had the same issue three times over the last three years and each time it was due to a low battery.

I HOPE that is the case! Sorry for asking such a noob question, but how do I check battery health?
I just had a mechanic read the codes and he said it was some misfire codes?

WillTC · 04-02-2014, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillTC

I HOPE that is the case! Sorry for asking such a noob question, but how do I check battery health?
I just had a mechanic read the codes and he said it was some misfire codes?

As far as I know, the battery was never changed in the car. The CARFAX does not list a battery replacement either. I am hoping this is just it!

WillTC · 04-10-2014, 11:45 AM

Went to BMW, they said that I need to replace the air flow meter and pressure converter. What the heck is a pressure converter? Do they mean catalytic converter?

dewana421 · 07-16-2020, 04:37 PM

i know its an old post but just stumbled upon it....a pressure converter is a boost solenoid basically. thats the main cause of these errors.
if you scan and get a code on ISTAD "120308 Charging pressure control, plausibility pressure too low".
this is an indication of bad solenoid. it will run around 50 bucks non OEM to 180 bucks OEM.
non OEM works just fine asn even the OEM fails. its located on left side of the engine on N55 right below the intake hose at the lip of the engine valve cover.

thegazelle85 · 08-21-2020, 02:38 PM

I just got my 535i and had this when I was going on the highway going over 90KM. It would happen consistently. Turns out it is the boost pressure selenoid that needed to be replaced. Once that was replaced, the issue was fixed.

03-31-2014, 09:40 PM	#1
WillTC New Member 4 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Drivetrain Malfunction on 2011 535i Hi all, I own a 2011 535i Sport 8AT with 54k miles (out of warranty...) I just received a message for drivetrain malfunction, please drive moderately. There seems to be no vibration or abnormalities other than the fact that the car is noticeably weaker in power. Do you know if this was ever issued a recall, or should I try to save money by taking it into an independent shop? Thanks!
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-31-2014, 10:24 PM	#2
gtron powerhouse 708 Rep 1,628 Posts Drives: 2014 Porsche 981 CS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 Mercedes C450 AMG [10.00] 2016 Lexus RC 200t [0.00] 2014 Porsche [9.50] 2012 550i M-Sport [7.86]	hope it's not the injectors. some of them need all the injectors replaced. imo it should be a recall but i don't think it is since they only address it "as needed". if it is the injectors, i would make a big deal about it and see if they would do it anyway since it's a common problem. good luck. __________________ no signature. except for this one.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-01-2014, 11:41 AM	#3
ezmaass Lieutenant Colonel 370 Rep 1,698 Posts Drives: '17 650xi GC / '15 Audi R8 V10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	A lot of these drivetrain malfunctions seem to be attributed to failed injectors, but that seems to be most popular on the pre-LCI 550 (N63 engine) that was using the last generation injector. On the LCI 550 (N63Tu engine) the injectors have now been updated to the same used in the N55, which haven't been prone to failure - not that they can't fail, but don't seem to be unusually problematic. I would imagine the 2011 535 was using the N55, correct? Nal13 on this board (who has an LCI 550) recently reported an injector issue that eventually lead to a buy-back of his brand new car. So, maybe we're not completely out of the woods yet with injectors... but the N55 has been around since the LCI e90, and seems to be pretty solid. So... The drivetrain message can appear for a number of different reasons that posters have reported - some minor, some very major (up to and including one guy who had a complete engine rebuild... again, an N63 550 though). I would just take it in to BMW and have them diagnose it. __________________ 2017 BMW 650xi Gran Coupe \| MSport \| Exec Package \| Driver Assist Plus \| ACC Stop & Go \| Adaptive Drive \| B&O \| Night Vision \| Cold Weather \| Active Seats 2015 Audi R8 V10 \| Brilliant Red on Black \| S-Tronic \| Carbon Sideblades \| Carbon Trim \| Full Leather \| Sport Exhaust \| Illuminated Doorsills \| I-Pod \| Contrast Stitching Previous: '14 550xi, '07 335i, '01 325i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-01-2014, 04:34 PM	#6
utlax20 Enlisted Member 8 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2011 550i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	It's unfortunate that such a great car company has not figured out these problems. (I have the same issue on my 2011 550i 3rd time now... I mean nothing compares to my 550 i...i love everything about it but this reliability stuff is important when the car is $80,000....Am i the only one that feels that way????
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-01-2014, 10:39 PM	#7
paul223 Major 411 Rep 1,126 Posts Drives: F10 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: arkansas iTrader: (0)	think about how much fun you have when all injectors are injecting. lol
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-10-2014, 11:45 AM	#12
WillTC New Member 4 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Went to BMW, they said that I need to replace the air flow meter and pressure converter. What the heck is a pressure converter? Do they mean catalytic converter?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-16-2020, 04:37 PM	#13
dewana421 Enlisted Member 17 Rep 30 Posts Drives: bmw 535i 2012 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: west palm beach iTrader: (0)	i know its an old post but just stumbled upon it....a pressure converter is a boost solenoid basically. thats the main cause of these errors. if you scan and get a code on ISTAD "120308 Charging pressure control, plausibility pressure too low". this is an indication of bad solenoid. it will run around 50 bucks non OEM to 180 bucks OEM. non OEM works just fine asn even the OEM fails. its located on left side of the engine on N55 right below the intake hose at the lip of the engine valve cover.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-21-2020, 02:38 PM	#14
thegazelle85 New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2011 328i, 2011 535i Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Markham, Ontario, CANADA iTrader: (0)	I just got my 535i and had this when I was going on the highway going over 90KM. It would happen consistently. Turns out it is the boost pressure selenoid that needed to be replaced. Once that was replaced, the issue was fixed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote