What's wrong???

[Matt H330]

OK I have 2 problems with the car and neither the dealer or a specialist can tell me what is wrong.

I have just had the MAF sensor changed due to irratic idle and what feels like a slight miss fire when you put your foot down at about 70mph. MAF has not sorted it, it has just had an inspection 2 so has new plugs and I'm told there is no idle control valve.

Secondly, I have a rattle from the back. Springs look fine, there is no rattle from the exhaustor and loose shields and the trim in the boot has now been secured. The only thing I have found is that the inner brake pad on the passenger side moves quite a lot caliper opperates fine and I can't see that a loose pad would make that much noise. I've shoved some copper greese behind the pad and it's still the same anyway.

Any ideas? These things are ruining an otherwise very good car.

BTW E46 330i saloon 2000 with 47k on it. [hmm [hmm

[westside]

right is your anti rattle clip missing from the pads dude also are u getting a rattling over the bumps it may be yoour rear top mounts or a knacked trailing arm bush. if you car had a slight misfire your emgine light should have come on my friend had the same with a slight misfire on coil number 2 and 4 a change of plugs did sort it out

[Matt H330]

Clip is in place and sound is only over bumps. Top mount sounds possible, but how do i tell. Rip out all the trim in the boot or is there an easier way? I bet it's a big job to sort to and wont be covered by warranty.

No EM light which is why BM can't tell. Will have to live with it till it get bad enough to cause an error code I think.

[BigFas]

top mounts won't give you any failure code as it's a mechanical issue rather than an electrical bug. Taking out the boot trim isn't that big of a deal to be honest with you, I can help you there, but I honestly wouldn't have a clue what to look for.

[peppernick]

It's very difficult to give you specifics and suggestions sometimes can complicate matters more. However, a faulty crank position sensor can give the symptoms you are describing, so can a fuel pump issue, or even fuel injectors. Which specialist have you used? You may want to try one that is better in iron out niggles such as Bexley Motorworks in Bexley Heath.

Rattles from an E46 is a common problem. Locating the source is also a pain but what I do is that I will empty everything from the boot including the spare tyre and any tools. I've gone to the extend of even removing the carpet. I also take the car out for a drive with the rear seats folded down and then do it again with the rear seats up. I traced the rattle down to a loose screw holding the Harmon Kardon sub onto the rear parcel shelf on my old 325ci. Funny though the sub doesn't rattle when I play music but does when I just drive the car :mad:

[westside]

do whatnick suggest if it is the top mounts and the warrenty doesn't cover it i'll sort it out for you :-) you will ahve to take the side carpets out in order to access the top mounts do your rear seats fold down if so do this

empty the boot like nick said get someone to sit in the back and have a listen better still find a little chav stuff them in the boot and get them to listen then give them a fag for there trouble make sure u empty the booth otherwise there nick everything, also dude check your tool box is there anything loose in there?

[lee330sport]

empty the boot like nick said get someone to sit in the back and have a listen better still find a little chav stuff them in the boot and get them to listen then give them a fag for there trouble make sure u empty the booth otherwise there nick everything, also dude check your tool box is there anything loose in there?

[crackmeup [crackmeup

Yeah rattles do my head in, ive got one in the back somwhere, just sounds like somethings loose though.

[Turkish]

yep, i had the same issues on a e36 and found this
a faulty crank position sensor can give the symptoms you are describingto be the problem, BMW here could not find the fault on the comput when plugged in, :eek:

[Matt H330]

Thanks guys, I've ruled out the tool kit and the spare wheel. I am sure it is in the area of the rear passenger side wheel. Unfortunately the back seats don't fold down in mine, but the idea of the HK speakers might be worth a look. I have thought about the top mount but was not sure what to look for as the shock has a cover over it so you can't try wiggling it!!

Fas, sorry I wasn't clear on the EM light, I meant the miss fire hasn't caused a fault code.

I've also put some redex in (for what it's worth) as I suspected the injectors, but I use Optimax (special cleaners in it supposedly) and it's only done 47k so I don't see how they can be that bad yet. Coils are a possability as it was a common problem on the Golf 4mo's and my old one used to do the same sort of thing.

The search continues!!!

[Mits]

Ah ha rattles :mad:

I started getting a rattle this weekend, I think its something to do with the exhaust though, as it only happens when the cars hot.
Rattling sound under the car when going over bumps. Maybe a loose heatshild or exhaust pipes knocking each other when hot.

I'll take it to the dealer on Fri to get it checked. :mad: