E34 Engine HELP!! Or, "Shouldn't this cable be connected to something?"

Hey,

I just joined Bimmer nation recently. I was cleaning the engine compartment and noticed a throttle-like, or actuator cable dangling. Don't know what it is, don't know if I knocked it loose while cleaning. I haven't and won't try starting the engine until I decipher it.

It runs just under the the throttle body, I think. See pix and tell me what you think.

• One pic is from below the tube;
• one is from the drivers side, the others from the pass
• The attachable end of the cable is just behind and above the fan (NOTE: THE FAN SHROUD HAS BEEN REMOVED IN THIS PIX):

Thx!

Dave

Is it the cruise control cable . Does you cruise control work ?
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Originally Posted by supertech777

Is it the cruise control cable . Does you cruise control work ?
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Probably Not working then...



There are two cables: one for the Cruise control and one for the accelerator pedal.

If you can still accelerate then the cruise control cable is at fault.

Use RealOEM.com to find the plastic bushing needed for the repair.

Also but I'm not sure about the model u have , wondering if that is also a kick down cable

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P.S. Is that a broken fan blade I see? You better replace that before it throws off your waterpump bearing. Should be 3 hex head screws on the front of the fan clutch. You may have to remove the shroud as well.

Originally Posted by paperplane94

P.S. Is that a broken fan blade I see? You better replace that before it throws off your waterpump bearing. Should be 3 hex head screws on the front of the fan clutch. You may have to remove the shroud as well.

He said in the original post that he had removed the fan shroud for the last pic .... just sayin'

Couldn't help it paperplane. Just kidding with ya'. We're even now right ?

And to Dave, Paperplane is right. You need to replace the fan. As an FYI, I have heard bad things about aftermarket fans coming apart and doing massive amounts of damage. I would recommend OEM only for the fan blade.

Originally Posted by BMR_LVR

He said in the original post that he had removed the fan shroud for the last pic .... just sayin'

Couldn't help it paperplane. Just kidding with ya'. We're even now right ?

And to Dave, Paperplane is right. You need to replace the fan. As an FYI, I have heard bad things about aftermarket fans coming apart and doing massive amounts of damage. I would recommend OEM only for the fan blade.

plus one

as for that cable, i cant tell from the picture, what engine do you have? in anycase, it will be either the throttle, cruise control or maybe kickdown. which ever it is, it is safe to start the car. start her up and press the accelorator pedal, if nothing happens then theres your answer

He has the M60, so its electronic kickdown.


@BMR LVR
lulz.....just sayin

Yeah my guess as well is the cruise control, the po of my car had a problem with the throttle sticking a little after using the cruise control and the idiot cut the damn thing b/c his wife was driving it and it scared her

If the gas petal throttle works i would say cruise control secondary throttle cable. I would get a Bentleys Manual for that BMW for best results.

Could it be the cruise control actuator?

see this parts like and let me know what you think.

http://data.bmrparts.com/bmwparts/BM...711378315.html

Yes, that's the cruise control cable. There is supposed to be a plastic bracket that sets in the hole below the intake. I took some pictures of mine the other day (see below). Definitely get that part on order!

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Originally Posted by paperplane94

P.S. Is that a broken fan blade I see? You better replace that before it throws off your waterpump bearing. Should be 3 hex head screws on the front of the fan clutch. You may have to remove the shroud as well.

Hey Pape (may I call you Pape?),

Now that the mystery of the mysterious cable has been solved the broken-fan-blade-throwing-off-the-waterpump-bearing thing has me nervous. I just bought the car and the blade was part of the whole "as-is" deal. Would I feel a vibration or something if the bearing was blown? Would there be any collateral damage if this was the case, or would I simple be replacing the waterpump along with fan?

Feel free to scare the crap outta my wallet as you let me know that what's what.

'preciate it.

DTT

Originally Posted by bddcustoms

Hey Pape (may I call you Pape?),

Now that the mystery of the mysterious cable has been solved the broken-fan-blade-throwing-off-the-waterpump-bearing thing has me nervous. I just bought the car and the blade was part of the whole "as-is" deal. Would I feel a vibration or something if the bearing was blown? Would there be any collateral damage if this was the case, or would I simple be replacing the waterpump along with fan?

Feel free to scare the crap outta my wallet as you let me know that what's what.

'preciate it.

DTT

Grab the fan and see if it wiggles back and forth. If it does, then the water pump will need to be replaced. If no wiggle, then just replace the fan. That fan being off balance can grenade and take out the radiator and hoses and can dent the hood from the inside as well

Yup, the plastic fan is much easier to replace than the waterpump. You will probably extend the life of the WP by doing so.

Just follow what I said above to replace the fan without removing the clutch. Use allen keys and a screwdriver handle.

Originally Posted by BMR_LVR

Grab the fanclutch and see if it wiggles back and forth. If it does, then the water pump will need to be replaced. If no wiggle, then just replace the fan. That fan being off balance can grenade and take out the radiator and hoses and can dent the hood from the inside as well

edited for clarity.

with a fan like that with so many blades, i really doubt it will mess up the waterpump. a 5 or 6-blade fan maybe

Not the cruise control cable. That cable comes from your ASC actuator.
You will note you now have a yellow triangle with ! when you start the car. This is because the actuator has no "feedback/tension" on startup self test. Hard to tell from your picture but there should be a threaded plastic sleeve that passes through the notched holed bracket.
If you cannot reconnect then secure cable away from fan. Car is safe to drive you just have no traction control.

Originally Posted by air_cooled

Not the cruise control cable. That cable comes from your ASC actuator.
You will note you now have a yellow triangle with ! when you start the car. This is because the actuator has no "feedback/tension" on startup self test. Hard to tell from your picture but there should be a threaded plastic sleeve that passes through the notched holed bracket.
If you cannot reconnect then secure cable away from fan. Car is safe to drive you just have no traction control.

Think of found it:
E34 530i SECONDARY THROTTLE HOUSING TUBE ASC

Bowden cable Ads 2
part no. 17 - PN 35411163163
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...51&hg=13&fg=15

I'm going to start a new thread to continue this conversation....

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...70#post6971970

join me, won't you?

Ah, overlooked the ASC system for the newer models. Glad that is settled.

Ok, question pertaining to this cable. My car runs like crap when it is in it's plastic holder. But when I take the cable out of the plastic holder and it rests against the manifold, it runs like a champ. Any ideas?

I believe the cable controls the intake flap. So it seems that the car runs better when the flap is more closed. Does this mean the computer is running a bad air/fuel mixture causing it to bog down, quite noticeably? Would this then indicate a bad MAF sensor?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Cable should not hold flap partly closed. Now you know why it was discnected. I guess it (the cable) has not been correctlt fitted.

Originally Posted by BMWFatherFigure

Cable should not hold flap partly closed. Now you know why it was discnected. I guess it (the cable) has not been correctlt fitted.

Should be adjustable. Keep looking for an adjuster nut somewhere.