I installed a new Bosch coil in place of the defective MB coil, and also installed new spark plugs (gaps on old ones were about 0.9mm.) In conclusion, two bad coils in past two years: first at 120k miles and second at 145k. Car now runs well again.

At this point I'm happy, except I'm puzzled by codes I now get. I'll try to explain my procedure, here goes:

As I stated in earlier posts, before I installed the new coil I got detailed code 1 on pin 8 and code 3 on pin 14 and basic codes 2,5,6, and 7. After installing the new coil and spark plugs and driving the car several miles I got code 23 for pin 8 and code 3 for pin 14 and no basic codes. I erased all the codes using the 6-8 second press according to Arthur Dalton's instructions. I started the engine again and the CE light stayed on. I tried to drive the car but the engine wouldn't rev unless I pressed the accelerator to the floor. I shut it off, pulled codes again (same codes as before except now the basic code light wouldn't work at all--see note below). I started the car and it ran fine and the CE light no longer stayed on. I then cleared the codes using the "ECU memory reset/reactivate procedure that allows the adapt memory to get back to Mean", as described by Dalton on 05-07-03, thread named "Check Engine Light 94 E320". I started the car (CE light went out) and drove it several miles and checked the codes again: I still get code 1 for pin 8, code 3 for pin 14, and the basic code light still doesn't work at all.

NOTE: I would be more concerned about the basic code light not working except it did the same thing the last time I had a dead coil and I pulled codes--eventually the basic code light started working again.

Another Note: I ordered three new boots for under the coils but I was sent the wrong parts--the three Beru boots and other plug wires are almost 2 years old, with 27 k miles. Using a digi multimeter, boots and spark plug wires yield the following resistance values, starting with cylinder #1: 1.84, 1.84, 2.02, 1.83, 1.93, and 1.85 k-ohms.

Third Note: These past few days I have also been trying to fix my right rear window which won't go up. I have been swapping window switches to see if any are bad (all seem OK). Could this possibly have contributed to the codes and CE light anomaly?

Thanks for all the help.

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TomO
94 E320 Wagon, 170k, totalled in 2006
2002 BMW 525i Wagon, 75k
1991 BMW 318is (two of 'em)