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BMWs represent some of the highest quality in German engineering and innovation. Made to last and with quality in mind, it is unlikely you’ll experience issues with your car for sometime after purchase. However, even the best-made cars will show signs of wear and tear as they age, and in this article, we will be taking a closer look at engine misfires, what they are, what causes them, and what you should do about them.
We’ve all heard of the term “engine misfire,” but what actually happens under the hood when this happens? An engine misfire occurs when the engine of your vehicle skips or does not successfully complete one of the steps in the combustion process.
Most engines have a 4-step or 4-stroke combustion process. Step 1 is intake, which is where the piston, cylinder, and crankshaft of your car work together to let a mixture of fuel and air into your engine via the inlet valve.
Step 2 is compression, which begins with the closing of the inlet valve. The piston then retracts into the cylinder which tightly compresses the concoction of fuel and air, increasing its flammability. Once maximum pressure is reached, the spark plug fires.
Step 3 is power, otherwise known as combustion. The spark created by the spark plug causes a small explosion when it ignites, releasing a hot gas that causes the piston to drop. The energy that has been released now starts to power the crankshaft.
The final step is the exhaust. The outlet valve opens, and exhaust gases that have been created by the burning fuel are forced by the piston out of the exhaust pipe.
If any of these processes run incorrectly or fail to run, engine misfire will occur. Because of the different processes involved in the combustion of your car’s engine, misfire can be defined in multiple ways: lean misfire (to do with air/fuel ratio), ignition misfire (to do with any part involving in the ignition process, i.e., spark plugs), and mechanical misfires (to do with the failure of any of the car’s mechanical parts, i.e., pistons and valves).
Misfires caused by faulty wiring can be quite common in BMWs as they age. The daily-use wiring that is required when your car is running are usually the first to show signs of deterioration. In regards to an engine, the most common fault can come from failed or faulty spark plug wiring. Without the spark plugs working effectively, your BMW will not be able to properly ignite the air/fuel mixture, meaning your car may not start or will run very poorly. Therefore, keeping your BMW’s spark plugs well maintained is essential.
As we’ve discussed, the crankshaft is essential to the running of your car’s engine. Because of this, it has a crank position sensor, which allows your BMW’s onboard computer to regulate the position of the shaft and the timing of the engine. This helps to ensure all the various parts and components are running smoothly. If this part is damaged, it is unlikely your car will start properly, if at all.
The head gasket is essential to achieve maximum fuel compression, which leads to the successful ignition of the fuel. If the head gasket becomes damaged, it can constitute a serious issue for your vehicle and should be dealt with immediately. If it is overlooked, it could seriously damaged your car by creating incorrect pressure, putting strain on other parts, or even causing a rupture or critical damage to them.
Any issue involving the misfiring 
of your engine should be dealt with immediately and always at the hands of a professional mechanic. Luckily, if you’re a BMW owner in the Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County, or surrounding areas of California, high-quality, knowledgeable auto repair is just around the corner. We are specialists in automotive German engineering. We will have you back on the road in no time.
BMW offers an exciting driving experience through engineering excellence, providing quality rides and vehicle longevity. BMWs also come with their own mechanical issues which owners should guard against, including a tendency for ignition module failure. Let’s talk about the importance of the ignition modules, signs and symptoms of failure, and when it is time for replacement of this integral component.
When you put your key inside your car’s ignition or push the start button, it sends a message to the ignition module to start the combustion cycle of the engine. This is accomplished by transmitting a spark down something called the “ignition coil” in order to start the car’s engine.So, if the ignition module isn’t functioning properly, there is no signal to begin the process of cycling the engine to drive your BMW.
Not only is this component integral to the ignition of your engine, but failure of this module can also cause problems while driving. When the ignition module begins to fail, your car may stall without warning. The engine may receive a false signal to stop the cycle. In this case, wherever or however you’re using your car, it may completely lose all power. As you can imagine, this can be incredibly dangerous for you, your passengers, and other drivers.
Ignition module failures can be incredibly dangerous if you are merging into heavy traffic or crossing traffic with oncoming cars in your path and your engine stalls. This is why it is of utmost importance to be aware of signs of ignition module failure. Protect yourself and your passengers by paying close attention to any sign of problems with starting your BMW.
All of the symptoms listed below are common signs that something could be wrong with your ignition module. If you experience any of these problems, you need to have your BMW inspected as soon as possible:
If you are car savvy and a good DIYer, you can test the ignition module yourself at home. In order to do this, you will need a multimeter tool to assess the condition of the electrical system in the component itself. The ignition module has to have enough electricity to send to the ignition coils so that the spark plugs fire and begin the combustion process within your engine.
Testing your ignition module at home isn’t necessary, but if you’ve noticed some of the symptoms listed above, using this method can be a helpful way of figuring out what could be going on in your BMW. In the end, you’ll still need a trusted mechanic to inspect your car and determine what the right steps are in fixing the underlying problem.
Many will opt for simply taking their BMW to a trusted technician to perform the proper diagnostic testing quickly and efficiently. They will develop a plan of action with you and repair or replace the ignition module safely.
The dangers of a faulty ignition module are a true concern. 
It is important that you bring your car to a BMW specialist in order for the problem to be diagnosed properly and fixed quickly to get you back on the road safely.
If you need to replace the ignition module in your BMW, make the best choice for your car’s longevity and future performance by bringing it into Euro Plus Automotive. We serve the area of Los Angeles County in Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, and San Fernando Valley, CA. We are staffed with mechanics who are expertly trained and ready to address your vehicle’s needs. Call us today.
Euro Plus Automotive specializes in maintenance, services, & repairs with certified technicians and cutting-edge tools & equipment for European vehicles including Audi, BMW, Mercedes, & more as well as Japanese cars like Honda, Nissan, Toyota, & more.
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