1997 540i Coolant/Engine/Odd Issues
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2
I have a 1997 540i that I have owned for about 6 months. It has 104K miles. In the past few days, I've had a number of issues that are probably unconnected, but I am hoping for some help since I can't afford to just start replacing everything.
Known issues at purchase:
-Check engine light for cat converters
-Temperature gauge never moved from cold
-A/C not very cold and cabin air/heat when set to auto never shuts off, lowers or raises fan speed
Since purchase, I use only premium gas (previous owner used regular for years) and I occasionally add an engine cleaner.
-New radiator
-New CCV
-Spark plugs
-Air filter
-New alternator
In the past month or two, now the check engine light will occasionally go off on its own and stay off for about a week. When the light is on, its showing an error for Cat Bank 2 low temperature, sporadic error.
Now the temperature gauge is fluctuating from cold to the middle and back down again in the matter of minutes, usually when stopping and going. Sometimes it will stay on cold and other times it will stay in the middle.
Three days ago, I got the dreaded flashing check engine light and rough idle. Got error code on cylinder 4 and discovered that the ignition coil was bad. Changed it out and no similar issues since.
The following day, the temperature gauge was all crazy and when I turned the ac on, there was no air blowing at all.
I've read a lot about cooling issues and I'm thinking the ignition coil issue was a separate issue, but is there ever a coincidence with BMW? I know I'm all over the place with these issues, but wanted to see if anyone sees a link that I am missing. I'm also new to car maintenance, so I'm not always sure what to look for.
Any thoughts?
Known issues at purchase:
-Check engine light for cat converters
-Temperature gauge never moved from cold
-A/C not very cold and cabin air/heat when set to auto never shuts off, lowers or raises fan speed
Since purchase, I use only premium gas (previous owner used regular for years) and I occasionally add an engine cleaner.
-New radiator
-New CCV
-Spark plugs
-Air filter
-New alternator
In the past month or two, now the check engine light will occasionally go off on its own and stay off for about a week. When the light is on, its showing an error for Cat Bank 2 low temperature, sporadic error.
Now the temperature gauge is fluctuating from cold to the middle and back down again in the matter of minutes, usually when stopping and going. Sometimes it will stay on cold and other times it will stay in the middle.
Three days ago, I got the dreaded flashing check engine light and rough idle. Got error code on cylinder 4 and discovered that the ignition coil was bad. Changed it out and no similar issues since.
The following day, the temperature gauge was all crazy and when I turned the ac on, there was no air blowing at all.
I've read a lot about cooling issues and I'm thinking the ignition coil issue was a separate issue, but is there ever a coincidence with BMW? I know I'm all over the place with these issues, but wanted to see if anyone sees a link that I am missing. I'm also new to car maintenance, so I'm not always sure what to look for.
Any thoughts?
