2002-2004 Recall Notice For Ignition Coils

I got my Recall Notice in the mail yesterday (applicable to certain 2002, 2003, 2004 model cars) for replacement of the ignition coils. Seems they frequently fail, causing rough idle and check-engine light to come on. Car will then fail emissions test. I took my 2003 530i in this morning, and they had 6 ignition coils (one per cylinder) replaced in 35 minutes. I was out of there before I finished my cup of coffee. No charge for anything of course. The Service Writer said he had seen several failures of these coils and the OEM coils were being replaced with Bosch coils which are supposedly much better.

I had mone done about a month ago and is has improved a rough idle I was getting. Apparently this is not limited to E39's. The X5 board I frequent mentions it as well.

Originally Posted by bscarlett

Apparently this is not limited to E39's. The X5 board I frequent mentions it as well.

eyep. This one covers both our '02 330 and '04 X5.

I just got back from the dealer for the ignition coil recall. After inspecting my car, they said that my coils had already been replaced. When I explained that I purchased my car new and that I've not had them replaced, they then said that my car was manufactured with the good Bosch coils and replacement is not needed. I called the toll-free BMW Customer Relations Dept; they said the recall effects production dates 09/02 - 07/03 with the M54 engine and instructs the dealer to "check all coils and replace if Bremi found." My production date was 12/02 which falls within the recall dates, but I guess I'll have to trust my dealer that I already have the correct Bosch coils. I guess it's possible that some cars within these production dates were made with the Bremi coils and others with the Bosch coils.

INFO FROM ANOTHER FORUM:

Service Bullition 12 13 05

E46 with M54/M56 from 09/02 up to 12/04
E39 with M54 from 09/02 up to 07/03
E53 (X5) with M54 from 09/02 up to 12/04
E65/E66 with N62/N73 from 09/01 up to 12/04
E85 (Z4) with M54 from 09/02 up to 12/04
E83 (X3) with M54 from 09/03 up to 12/04

Internal insulation failure of BREMI ignition coils may cause reduced ignition firing power, or ignition coils failure. The customer may complain of erratic engine performance and the "Service Engine Soon" light illumination.

If you want to check the coils yourself, once a coil is pulled out the Bremi coils are all black, the bosch replacement coils are black with a tan/grey colored sleave on the,

Originally Posted by w5lx

If you want to check the coils yourself, once a coil is pulled out the Bremi coils are all black, the bosch replacement coils are black with a tan/grey colored sleave on the,

Can you give a newbie some tips on how to check?

Also...I think my car "knew" the recall notice had landed in my mailbox, because a week later, the "Service Engine Soon" light started up.

Thanks

My 2 cents.... I recently bought an '04 330XI, and just the other day the car started misfiring and shaking pretty hard when idle at stoplights. The Service Engine Soon light came on as well. I took it in, and they replaced all my Bremi coils with Bosche ones... running great now.

Originally Posted by triggerx

My 2 cents.... I recently bought an '04 330XI, and just the other day the car started misfiring and shaking pretty hard when idle at stoplights. The Service Engine Soon light came on as well. I took it in, and they replaced all my Bremi coils with Bosche ones... running great now.

Didn't you get a letter in the mail prior to this, asking you to bring the car in for the recall?

I had the misfiring, check engine light symptoms yesterday morning and took my 2003 330i straight to the dealer. It was there that I learned about the recall. I still have not received any notice by mail. So, if you have an applicable model, consider being proactive about it and getting your car checked out.

Had the misfire on my X5 3.0 before the recall. They replaced them all, no issue. It was very evident when one of them failed, the idle was rougher and sounded "different"

Had the coils on my '03 330Ci replaced today. But the idle is still rough.
(started being rough a few days ago)

Can you shed some light on where the coils are to check?

Originally Posted by mwette

Had the coils on my '03 330Ci replaced today. But the idle is still rough.
(started being rough a few days ago)

Idle is fine now. I don't know where the coils are.

Originally Posted by sidneyj

Can you shed some light on where the coils are to check?

Can't see them coz they are hidden. You have to take the engine cover off and then some to get to the coils, from what I know. I've always had cars where I could replace the spark plugs by myself, but with the Bimmer, this is all very different territory as it's all tucked away somewhere.

Originally Posted by mwette

Had the coils on my '03 330Ci replaced today. But the idle is still rough.
(started being rough a few days ago)

could be vanos?

I talked to the dealer about the recall and it only affects the 6 cylinder motors.

Originally Posted by sidneyj

Can you shed some light on where the coils are to check?

At the dealership. Why in the world would you waste your time when you can get someone else to do it for you. Not only that you are Federally mandated to have it done or you cannot legally sell your car.

Originally Posted by texbid

I talked to the dealer about the recall and it only affects the 6 cylinder motors.

Talk to them again as it affects all motors; 6, 8 and 12 cylinder. The recall is about one of the manufacturers (Bremi) of the coils and they were used in all motors.

Originally Posted by sidneyj

Can you shed some light on where the coils are to check?

It's easy as 1-2-3.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...69#post1434969

Moved this post to the DIY forum.

I have SES light on, 2002 530ia, I have the all black coils and have not recieved recall, bought car last August 2005. Where can I find recall? I checked NHTSA only tire recall shows up. I am gooing to have codes checked today to see what is wrong.

Thanks for any advise

Had all my coils changed twice-once when I bought the car- wife had borrowed the car for a short outting and came back running rougher than hell-all the light on- called the dealership they came and picked it up on a car carrier. Had three coils go bad-car less than a month old. I had them switch out all of the suckers at that time because of hearing about coil troubles in these cars.
Back in November I took the car in for sceduled maintanance and while there the mant super came in and told me there had been a recall on the coils and while there they switched out all the ciols again. No problem now for the last 10k miles-wouldn't really any problem with the old ones that I could tell but not about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Poolman

Originally Posted by w5lx

INFO FROM ANOTHER FORUM:

Service Bullition 12 13 05

E46 with M54/M56 from 09/02 up to 12/04
E39 with M54 from 09/02 up to 07/03
E53 (X5) with M54 from 09/02 up to 12/04
E65/E66 with N62/N73 from 09/01 up to 12/04
E85 (Z4) with M54 from 09/02 up to 12/04
E83 (X3) with M54 from 09/03 up to 12/04

Internal insulation failure of BREMI ignition coils may cause reduced ignition firing power, or ignition coils failure. The customer may complain of erratic engine performance and the "Service Engine Soon" light illumination.

If you want to check the coils yourself, once a coil is pulled out the Bremi coils are all black, the bosch replacement coils are black with a tan/grey colored sleave on the,

I have the E46 with BREMI coils installed. The dealer I went to says the recall only extended to 2003 and my car isn't under the recall. My car was manufactured in 12/04. Please advise. I paid out of pocket to replace 2 of the 6 BREMI coils.

Only 2002 on? I wonder what coils are in my '01 (build date 12/00). Anyone know?

Have not experienced any "issues" thus far.

How do I find out if my 03 540i falls within the recalled coil dates? Just had two replaced and figure I should go ahead and do the other six. But if someone else is payin'....

Only for the 6 cylinder engines-------not the V8's