Guess im the only one here that has a "Increased Emissions" error due to a Bad Secondary Air Pump.

Spending $450 on a part that has no funtion but to pump air into the exhaust during cold start up to help burn excess fuel seems like just a complete waste of Money

 

Thanks for the help Bimmerchop69.

David_W was it hard to change the hose? The dealer wanted over a grand to replace it.

PS since I got the car back the light has not come on.
I still think I will change the hose.

 

Yeah, you need to know what you are doing. Intake and fuel rail need to go out. I needed about 5-6 hours to do it.

 

The SES light came back on my car two days ago and the iDrive screen was showing Increased Emissions again...I took the car to my independent mechanic and was told that there was a fault stored for the thermostat again...If you read up in the thread, I had replaced this part a little over a month ago at the dealership so I called them and my SA told me that I would have to change the wiring harness (following the bulletin they go by) since the chances of the new thermostat being "bad" is slim. My next plan of action was to have my independent specialist do his own diagnostic since they actually look into different avenues instead of reading a bulletin...but the SES light went away today by it self...weird but I guess that's good?...The car continues to drive like it always has, flawless.

 

It shouldn?t be that complicated to check the thermostat. If the independent shop has GT1 or something similar they should be able to read the current data from the system. If the electronic module in the thermostat is bad engine will run few degrees higher than normal. Ask the shop to print the exact code regarding the thermostat, maybe one of the other temperature sensors (for example in the water pump) is giving false reading causing the light to come up.
BTW ? After the SES light will go away by itself, the error will be stored in the system and you can get by scanning the system. Do you know what type of scanner do they use at the independent shop?

 

Thanks for the advice, I will have them print out the code. I actually do not know what type of scanner they have, but will find out. I was thinking of buying my own...any suggestions? OBD2?

 

In my opinion generic OBD2 is not good enough. Check on eBay for BMW GT1 or OPS scanner.They have cheaper versions for less than $250.

 

Hi: I have a 2005 545I and have been through this same thing. Had replaced the thermostat twice and still got a code that the thermostat was faulty. The independent mechanic had a bulletin from BMW saying I needed to replace the wiring harness, if this happened. I then brought it to the BMW dealer to confirm the findings and they informed me of the exact same thing. The car runs beautifully, and I just drive with the SES light and emissions message on. Sometimes the message turns off for a day or two, but then always comes back on. I do not know what to do further except save my money and eventually change the wiring harness (over $2,000.). Let me know if anyone has any further information. Thanks cooldns.

 

Hi,

Wiring harness is just a big bundle full of wires ;-) There shouldn?t be too much of the rocket science there ;-)
When I was removing my intake manifold I noticed that the thermostat harness had broken plastic shield and the insulation was damaged a little bit. Maybe the whole problem you are having is a small short triggering the SES light.
My advice:
Instead of spending $2k buy the black insulation tape and a plastic protection shield. Then take out the acoustic engine cover (4 screws) and track the thermostat wire looking for damages.
If you are lucky maybe you will fix it for less than $10 ;-)
GL

 

Did you find where in the hose assembly the leak was? this may be a common problem for the V8 cars. I am surprised that BMW isn't required to maintain this under the emissions warranty, that has saved me $$ a few times with other cars.