mekantor

I've been chasing all sorts of strange issues lately, and as soon as one dies down another pops up. Right now I've got a check engine light, and the codes I read are:

P0505: idle control system malfunction
P0507: high idle rpm

The strange thing is it seems to idle and run just fine. I guess in P the idle seems slightly high, but not in D. If that check engine light wasnt on I wouldnt suspect a thing. Has anyone had to chase this down before? I will probably look over the small breather hoses to make sure everything is all right.

After the last time I reset the OBDII codes, I did the sneaky ECU reset. Not sure if that did anything, are there supposed to be some indications in the display?

If its hooked up to STAR, would there be additional diagnostic info besides the OBDII codes?

shardul

iTrader: (1)

The ecu reset only affect the transmission control unit not the engine dme. Nothing will show up on the display.

Connect the car to STAR it will show you some more info to help you pin point the problem accurately.

Did you figure out the white smoke issue you are having?

mekantor

I suspected it was spark plugs because the compression was good and everything else looked good. The vapor was decreasing each time I ran it. Over the weekend I changed out all sparkplugs. No vapor/smoke at all right now, great mpg, just this code keeps coming back.

Yesterday I drove for 30 miles after reseting OBDII, and then it just came on when I got leadfooted, although I had pushed it earlier in the day and just got powah, no issues.

DKM

I had the same problem...replaced the accelerator pedal sensor. sounds stupid...but its the truth.

mekantor

Well, that actually makes sense to me. Throttle cable ftw I guess.

I took the car to MB, they will call me tomorrow morning. If thats it then at least I'll have a down-payment on the sensor and they'll wash the car.

DKM

keep us posted and lets see what they say...

mekantor

They said its vacuum leak and wanted to remove the s/c in order to inspect further... for around $800. I said no thanks.

I recently changed all the valve cover gaskets, so I will probably go back and re-check them and all the hoses. I am surprised that none of the hoses have any clamps on them, they could've loosened up during removal/installation, so maybe I'll just start by adding clamps and see what that does.

Marcus Frost

mekantor,

Good thing you had that "out of warranty fund" ready when you bought the car. I remember you posting when you first got it, and it was a fairly high mileage car with no warranty. Looks like you are getting a crash course in what owning an out of warranty E55 is like. At least you are very mechanically competent, but the reality is... these cars can be a real pain, especially when you are paying out of pocket to fix it.

Good luck,

-m

rberga1

I had the same issue Mekantor. It was a vacuum leak. However, I have the 80mm TB from VRP and one of the vacuum hose caps on it blew. I replaced the vacuum hose cap and all was good.

mekantor

Its just the damn electronic lockdown that is bugging me, I was already suspecting vacuum issues. I need to get a STAR system myself, or find a local hook up with some shop. I have a euro COMAND coming to me in the mail next week, and plan to add Xenon lights. While they had the car I had them quote the reprogramming and it came out to $125 for the lights and close to $300 for the COMAND. I am also dissapointed with the depth of the WIS so far, but all in all I am very happy with the car despite hitting some bumps along the way, and in some way I revel in the "challenge" of taking this car to even higher milage.

Anyway, its a process, and I have a list of items I am slowly working on:

1. oil/filter change: done
2. valve cover gaskets: done
3. spark plugs: done
4. euro comand + navigation: in progress
5. xenon: in progress
6. all front ball joints
7. belts
8. trans, coolant, diff fluid change
9. replace or repair wheels, replace tires

I've actually somewhat missed driving my modded maxima, which I've been doing often for the past few weeks, so thats been a hidden blessing.

jicl55

Have the same problem with the same codes. Usually a vacuum leak, but can't find one anywhere and neither can the tech. I've had it ever since switching throttle bodies. Think it just might be a bad throttle body

ray_huge

I had the same problem after I changed my valve cover gasket. Check the hard line vacum hose that runs over the drivers side valve cover. The hard line plugs into the back of the intake manifold/supercharger. I didn't set the hard line in properly and my car idled like crap but ran fine when I was on the gas.

Max.H

I got the same error code when changing out my filters. It was vacum hose that came off.

prodigymb

did you get this issue figured out?

mekantor

Still chasing it down. I currently have my attention on the evap system, which is the charcoal canister and the associated lines/valves. This is because I've been getting code P0455 every few days or so, and at the same time the car alerts me to "Check fuel cap!" in red and flashes the gas light.

Pressure issues in this system could potentially trip up idle, and often the codes show up together, although things didnt start out this way.

Its been very hot here so I havent messed around with the car much recently, and there is lots I need to repair/renew besies this.

mekantor

Its solved!

A few weeks ago I placed clamps on the rubber hose that carries the fuel vapor from the check valve. No check engine codes since then. Only one end pictured, but you get the idea:

Yacht Master

Bravo! I am so glad you found it! (with out removing the SC)
Yet one more case of, Stealer would have made wrong move.

aleksandar1099

Very nice find! Big props for not letting the dealer take advantage!

mekantor

The worst thing about taking it to the dealer originally was theat they nearly destroyed the plastic cover on the front of the engine, the one with the star that sits over the SC clutch. The metal clips were shoved all the way through, so I had to pull it off with as one piece with both air filter housings and use pliers to release it from the buttom.