Hello all,

I've been battling some odd issues with my N18 that started last week with a half power engine light and the engine stalling upon startup and ultimately dying shortly after. This started when I was doing some normal driving and the half power light came on with and an immediate loss of power. Luckily I was able to pull over and shut off the engine. Upon restarting it, the motor struggled to turn over and I could hear misfiring as the motor ran for 5 seconds until it died out. I thought it would be an issue with spark plugs as it was time for them to be replaced anyways. I had replaced all 4 on the side of the road and the the motor started up but ran very rough.

I had the car towed to my house and I had self-diagnosed the issue to be the high pressure fuel pump based on my symptoms pointing. I ordered the latest fuel pump for the later model N18 (mine was produced 7/2012) with the applicable adapter form FCP Euro (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/min...mk-12518638006). I had self installed the new pump and removed the original electrical connector that connected to the old pump since the new pump had a smaller connector. I spliced the wires from the original connector to the adapter so I could further connect it to the new pump. After I had put everything back together accordingly, I entered accessory mode so I could hear the fuel pump prime and then started the car. The motor still struggled to start and stalled out again. The only CEL I was able to read from my scanner was P10FB, which is for the Fuel Pressure Sensor. After the install, I noticed that the half engine light is now gone but I can't even get the car to start. It's been sitting for over a week so the battery might be dead but even with a charge and a jump, still nothing. I haven't been able to find any install videos or deep dives for the updated fuel pump and the use of the adaptor so I'm looking to get any help or assistance with this matter!

Currently waiting for a tow to a reputable BMW/MINI shop from home so I thought I'd gather some help while I'm waiting.

 

Hello


Here some info on that adapter. Links to the part and our parts also.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...p-adaptor.html

Install is linked in that thread also, double check. Also possible you have a bad unit. On replacement it takes a while for the fuel to back on line. The main pump has to prime a couple times. The pump primes when you go near the car or open the door after it sets for a while with the car off. You can hear a short noise come from the main fuel pump.

I am always here to help

 

Update: I've had the car back from the shop for a week now and the problem has been fixed! The car has been running like normal again (with an apparent tear on the MAF sensor hose that I just noticed after the diagnosis) and it looks like the main culprit was the fuse board that provided voltage to the low pressure fuel pump. The diagnosis stated that the low pressure fuel pump was failing, as it was not receiving voltage from the fuse board which stopped fuel from being sent to the HPFP through the fuel lines. To be super sure, they replaced both the low pressure fuel pump, the fuse board and the preformed a fuel system cleaning as well.

It sounds like my install of the HPFP was a success as they did not touch that it all, which was my main concern at first but it wasn't the issue. So the main thing to take away from this is check that fuse board first before replacing any of the pumps and save yourself the labor and parts! I remember seeing a thread on the fuse board replacement but it was just my luck I didn't check that before sending the car off.

If you're in the Sacramento, CA area, Prestige AutoWorks is a great place to take your Euro cars for excellent service and descriptive diagnosis details.