BMW 1 Series Losing Power
(ERROR CODE 11A002 – FIXED)
Seeing a high-pressure fuel warning pop up on your BMW is never a nice sight and it’s something you shouldn’t ignore.
Problems like that don’t go away on their own and often worsen, leaving you risking more damage to your BMW and a higher repair bill.
A recent customer brought their BMW 1 Series to our specialists with a high-pressure fuel light on and said, “My car keeps cutting out, and I can’t figure out why.” They also mentioned they’d replaced several parts, but the problem persisted.
Luckily, at RM Motors, our technicians are BMW experts and can solve any problem during your first visit. We even offer better-than-dealership value.
How Did The Problem Begin?
Our client explained to our BMW specialist that while driving, about 20-30 minutes into the journey, their BMW 1 Series would unexpectedly lose power and shut down entirely without warning.
The client’s car would only restart after it had cooled down completely, making the situation extremely troublesome.
Faced with such an unpredictable issue, the client was eager to resolve it quickly to ensure their BMW 1 Series was safe and reliable on the road again.
That’s when they heard of our BMW specialists from a friend and they decided to bring their vehicle to us for an expert fix.
Before Visiting RM Motors
Once the vehicle arrived at our garage, the client informed us that despite replacing several parts on their BMW 1 Series, the vehicle was still cutting out and the high-pressure fuel warning was still present.
The parts they had replaced included:
- The In-tank Fuel Pump
- The Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor
- The High-Pressure Fuel Pump
Having already spent over £1500, the client was understandably frustrated that the problem remained unresolved.
It was clear that they needed expert help, their DIY solutions weren’t working.
Evaluating The Problem At RM Motors
At RM Motors, we steer clear of guesswork and random part replacements, which can be costly and inefficient without addressing the actual problem.
Instead, we rely on our in-depth 15-step diagnostic process to pinpoint faults accurately, ensuring we only fix or replace what’s necessary. This saves you time, money and stress while allowing us to get you back on the road with your vehicle in safe working condition.
As your local independent BMW specialist, we have access to the same level of technical information as the main BMW dealerships. This allows us access to the official BMW servicing guidelines.
Equipped with BMW guidelines, our experts developed a detailed testing strategy to investigate every possible cause thoroughly.
Our approach included using an oscilloscope, extracting error codes and examining serial data. The use of an oscilloscope is a step many other garages wouldn’t take, but it allows us to thoroughly test your vehicle’s electrical components to provide a clear picture of what’s going on.
During our thorough testing procedure, we identified the error code as:
- 11A002 – High-Pressure Fuel, Plausibility, Pressure too low
During the testing, we verified that the low-pressure fuel system, including the pump and all associated wiring, was functioning correctly and without any issues. We also confirmed that both the desired and actual fuel pressures were within the manufacturer’s recommended parameters.
Given the intermittent nature of the fault, it was essential to gather data under real driving conditions. To do so, we conducted a thorough road test to observe when the client’s BMW 1 Series would cut off. Simultaneously, we monitored the live data from the engine management system.
As predicted by the client, the vehicle lost power after about 20-30 minutes of driving, giving us a crucial lead to pursue. With this confirmed data at our disposal, we were now able to accurately diagnose the problem.
What Our BMW Experts Found
During our detailed data analysis, we discovered that the BMW 1 Series had an issue with the 12v supply to the fuel pump. It was disrupted when the BMW began to malfunction.
The power supply had been stable until that point, indicating this specific area needed further investigation. We also noted that once the vehicle had cooled down, the 12v supply to the fuel pump was fully restored, suggesting a temperature-related issue.
Using the official BMW documentation, our expert technician traced the 12v feed to a relay connected to the fuel pump. We exposed the relay for further testing to determine if it was the source of the problem.
Upon testing, it became evident that the relay was failing when it became warm. This finding clarified why the issue only occurred when the client’s BMW had been running for a significant amount of time.
Fixing The BMW 1 Series High-Pressure Fuel Warning
Now that our BMW specialists had identified the root cause of the issue, they could proceed to fix the vehicle’s problem.
But first, we called the client to discuss our findings and our recommendations. At RM Motors, you’re always in complete control from start to finish. We only begin working on your vehicle when you say so.
With the green light from our client, our experts sourced a genuine BMW replacement relay and installed the part as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
As your local independent BMW specialist, we only use genuine BMW or high-quality alternative parts on your vehicle. You always get the best quality with us, ensuring your car has what it needs to run optimally.
Once the problem was fixed, we performed some additional tests to confirm the 1 Series was in complete working order. Thankfully, it was.
Our client was pleased to have their vehicle back in complete working condition and with a fast turnaround.
Why RM Motors For Your BMW Repairs?
As your local independent BMW specialist, RM Motors has direct access to genuine BMW parts, technical information and data, positioning us perfectly to keep your vehicle in peak working condition.
At RM Motors, we aim for a ‘first-time fix’ because we understand how valuable your time is.
Our goal is to eliminate the need for repeat visits which can be frustrating and costly. Our 15-step diagnostic process helps us ensure this, as we leave no stone unturned.
If you’ve got a problem with your BMW, allow our BMW experts to use their decades of experience to solve your vehicle’s issues. You’ll even get better than dealership value. What’s not to like?
Call RM Motors today for a quality first-time fix for your BMW.
