BMW Repair: Fault codes, throttle position sensors, mass flow sensor


Question
Thanks, Evan, and you are right, without the exact codes, we're shooting in the dark.  The exact codes were: 160, throttle position controller jammed briefly (twice), then 101, throttle jammed permanently followed by 008, mass airflow sensor (fault,failed?)  The word, permanently, came up on the code reader which, of course, would be cause for alarm if not for the fact that the car still runs reasonably well.  I am leaning toward replacing the mass airfolw sensor and will follow up with a cleaning of the throttle body area, but before I start, I'll await your response. Oh, and one other thing:  When the transmission codes were read, 145, 050 and 146 came up.  We could not translate the codes and I wonder if you know their meaning. Thanks, Rick
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Followup To

Question -
My mechanic, who I have dealt with for almost 20 years, read the fault codes for my 2001 X-5 3.0i and found two or three referencing the throttle position jammed and the last one referencing the mass air flow sensor.  The car has 175,000 miles and has been maintained meticulously since new and, of course, other faults have shown up and been corrected, ie.: knock sensor, o2 sensor, cam position sensor, etc.  I am wondering if my two current faults are likely related and if replacing the mass flow sensor ($300+) might affect the throttle position fault.  The car seems to run well without noticeable stumbling or stalling and the check engine light is not on.  Any thoughts on the matter?

Answer -
Rick, what are your current faults EXACTLY. I see more Mass air sensors go faulty than Throttle position sensors.
Wouldn't be uncommon for your motor and mileage to have an Mass air go bad, but I don't know the fault exactly. Secondly your car has two throttle position sensors because your car has no throttle cable (drive by wire). Your gas pedal is actually the first TPS. It is called PWG, but we call it the "driver's wish". It has two internal potentiometers 0.5-2.0Volts and 0.5-4.5Volts. You can check this with voltmeter, but very rare for this PWG to go bad. The other sensor is in the throttle body under the intake manifold. It also has two potentiometers one is    0.5-4.5 volts and the other is 4.5-0.5 volts (opposite). Also a good idea to clean out throttle body and idle valve with throttle cleaner or brake cleaner, and replace any torn intake boots. In short. I don't know what to think in terms of if they are related because I don't the exact faults.
-Evan

Answer
Rick, sounds like a good battle plan. I'll check on those Trans faults but it may take a bit to dig up because those are 'P codes' or generic fault not BMW faults correct? You are using an aftermartket scanner? Don't forget to clean the idle valve when you have the throttle off. You ought to drain the trans pan and replace the filter on a high mileage machine as yours. Your trans takes special fluid from BMW and you need to pump it into the side plug on the trans. Then connect you scanner after fluid begins to leak from the fill plug, start the car and close filler plug when trans temp reaches 30-50 degrees Centigrade. May have to do this several times over a period to completely flush trans. Just a thought.
-Evan