N54 Stock DME Flex Fuel

NoGuru

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Jan 9, 2018
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Is cold start supposed to be deactivated with flex fuel? I don’t have it ticked in the MHD settings but my car hasn’t cold started the past 3 times after over night and 8 hour + periods. Running MHD STG2+ OTS
Yep, it gets deactivated with Flex Fuel although I am not sure why.
 

tan_rich

Specialist
Feb 6, 2018
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It has to be disabled so that fuel enrichment at start and during warmup can be interpolated for your given E% correctly.
Did you also code out the exhaust valve logic? I've noticed it not working at startup like it did before. However it may be due to me moving the inline switch i had.
 

Jake@MHD

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Did you also code out the exhaust valve logic? I've noticed it not working at startup like it did before. However it may be due to me moving the inline switch i had.

No, but if it opening was part of the 65 second cold start then it won't as cold start is disabled. It can be set to be always open under a certain MPH, and further adjusted for what pedal % / torque request causes it to open through a custom tune.
 
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tan_rich

Specialist
Feb 6, 2018
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No, but if it opening was part of the 65 second cold start then it won't as cold start is disabled. It can be set to be always open under a certain MPH, and further adjusted for what pedal % / torque request causes it to open through a custom tune.
Ahh, I see that would make sense then. Thanks for the clarification.
I guess one way to make it fully operate as I want is to use another power source for the solenoid.
 

tan_rich

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I sometimes get my Ethanol Content Value shoot up to 100% for a moment. I know this happens when there is an error from the eca but is it an issue if it randomly happens? I don’t have Hobbs switch or anything similar. And the ground for the ECA is the ground as describe in the instructions.


Edit: After looking at my EC voltage, it seems like I’m getting 4.47 volts suddenly and randomly which seems to be the cause of the 100% EC. Not sure how big of an issue this is but is similar to a previous poster on this thread. @jyamona any insight?

Also checked my ground and it’s the only attached other than the OEM ground.
 
Last edited:

langsbr

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Apr 5, 2017
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Hi Guys,

Just a head's up so you don't get screwed by Motiv like i was.
Don't order the ethanol sensor kit from Motiv for 200 bucks. I did and what i got was 2 pieces of fuel line with quickdisconnect couplings and a different ethanol sensor then usual. It is not the one Continental one what is shown on the pictures but instead a way cheaper one from GM which can be bought seperatly for just 48 dollars here https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts/gm-sensor-13577429
or even just 20 dollars on AliExpress
Add maybe 50 bucks for the 2 pieces of fuel line and you are 50% cheaper off.

This new sensor does not have any mounting holes so it will need to be glued on something.

I guess "screwed" is a personal opinion, and a harsh one I'd say. I bought the short line kit, which it sounds like what you are describing. I was very pleased with the fuel line, as it was a. pre-made, b. included the proper fittings, c. was the right length, d. included a "real" sensor.

The GM sensor you linked is fine, but good luck with the fake one on AliExpress. I'm ALL FOR using China parts, but a fake electronic sensor that will ultimately control the amount of boost, timing, and fueling is not something I will run a fake part on. Yes, I likely could have sourced everything myself, but you are paying for the convenience of it all being together and assembled.
 
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Deleted member 2204

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No remarks about the quality but yeah; Getting a different (cheaper) sensor then ordered without notification is not very nice.
Then paying the remaining 150 bucks for 2 pieces of 6inch fuel line and some quickdisconnect couples is not right.
Sure there is work in getting this package ready but overcharging by a 100 dollars and not delivering promised hardware is screwed to me.

if i wasn't abroad, i would definitely return it. I'm no thief of my own wallet.
 
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langsbr

Captain
Apr 5, 2017
1,267
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07 335i 6MT e90
No remarks about the quality but yeah; Getting a different (cheaper) sensor then ordered without notification is not very nice.
Then paying the remaining 150 bucks for 2 pieces of 6inch fuel line and some quickdisconnect couples is not right.
Sure there is work in getting this package ready but overcharging by a 100 dollars and not delivering promised hardware is screwed to me.

if i wasn't abroad, i would definitely return it. I'm no thief of my own wallet.

The other option is to buy a bunch of them, hang your shingle and put Motiv out of business since theirs is so overpriced. The "overcharging" is a personal opinion as well. Motiv is well known to not be cheap, but I wouldn't call this overpriced.
 

Jake@MHD

Major
Platinum Vendor
Nov 7, 2016
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Philly
I sometimes get my Ethanol Content Value shoot up to 100% for a moment. I know this happens when there is an error from the eca but is it an issue if it randomly happens? I don’t have Hobbs switch or anything similar. And the ground for the ECA is the ground as describe in the instructions.


Edit: After looking at my EC voltage, it seems like I’m getting 4.47 volts suddenly and randomly which seems to be the cause of the 100% EC. Not sure how big of an issue this is but is similar to a previous poster on this thread. @jyamona any insight?

Also checked my ground and it’s the only attached other than the OEM ground.

Can you share a log of it? Also, do you have a second LPFP / how is it activated?


Hi Guys,

Just a head's up so you don't get screwed by Motiv like i was.
Don't order the ethanol sensor kit from Motiv for 200 bucks. I did and what i got was 2 pieces of fuel line with quickdisconnect couplings and a different ethanol sensor then usual. It is not the one Continental one what is shown on the pictures but instead a way cheaper one from GM which can be bought seperatly for just 48 dollars here https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts/gm-sensor-13577429
or even just 20 dollars on AliExpress
Add maybe 50 bucks for the 2 pieces of fuel line and you are 50% cheaper off.

This new sensor does not have any mounting holes so it will need to be glued on something.

The only thing you need to buy from Motiv is the ECA. If you wish to purchase your own E sensor and lines, go for it.

Also, continental makes all three size variations of the GM sensor. They have GM part numbers as well because GM uses them as an OEM on their vehicles. The only difference is mounting and physical size. Other than that, they are exactly the same electrically.

And finally, if anyone purchases a chinese knockoff sensor, they will be given zero support. The Hz calibration of them is not guaranteed and I can't be wasting time supporting that junk :)
 

fmorelli

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Aug 11, 2017
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I'm no thief of my own wallet.
Actually, aren't you? You say you got screwed - the short line kit web page shows you what you get. You did your research and made the decision that the kit was worth buying. Or you didn't do your research, and just bought it, and decided after the fact that the lines bundled with the sensor weren't worth the money ... and that's someone else's fault?

Aside from all the line stuff, I thought the GM sensor was made by Continental and is one and the same thing?

While I know I can put some things together cheaper, I often choose to buy the "kits" because I appreciate that these vendors have figured out how to make something work, and I prefer they make their money and stick around to figure out more things. But that's just me.

Filippo
 

tan_rich

Specialist
Feb 6, 2018
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Can you share a log of it? Also, do you have a second LPFP / how is it activated?
Don't have a log since it happens so randomly and rarely. But i did take a pic of the what i saw on the gauges. I don't have anything else attached other than the OEM ground. I redid the ground bolt to make sure its good and tight and have not seen anything yet but its only been a day.
 

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langsbr

Captain
Apr 5, 2017
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Oh I thought that was the low and high limits lol. Never knew they were reached values.
 

Jake@MHD

Major
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Nov 7, 2016
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You can see on the "max" or "high" that it has hit 100% or 4.47v before.

It will hit that briefly on startup or turning off the car before/after the conti sensor starts sending values. It is only an issue if you are seeing the voltage spikes during a pull, that's why I asked for a log to see when it was happening :)

What you do is entirely up to you but this statement makes no sense at all. It's a typical American worthless assumption that China equals fake shit.

It's not an assumption. There is plenty of data out there that knock-off sensors often do not accurately report 50-150Hz for 0-100% Ethanol. Why should I waste my time trying to figure out issues with that just because someone wanted to save a few dollars vs. buying a genuine sensor?

It's simple. I designed and tested a product (the ECA) intended to be used with a genuine Continental / GM sensor. If you don't like it and want to use your own knock-off sensor, go for it, but don't expect any support.
 

tan_rich

Specialist
Feb 6, 2018
89
18
0
Ride
335is
It will hit that briefly on startup or turning off the car before/after the conti sensor starts sending values. It is only an issue if you are seeing the voltage spikes during a pull, that's why I asked for a log to see when it was happening :)

Ah I see now, that makes sense. I believe one time it was in the middle of cruising on the highway. I redid the ground connection and it doesn’t seem to reoccur.
I don’t have logs of the spike but I have other logs.
E32 DCT MHD Stg2+
https://datazap.me/u/tanrich/log-1537164087?log=0&data=3-6-7-8-9-10-15-18-19-23-24-25-26&mark=10
E36 DCT MHD Stg2+
https://datazap.me/u/tanrich/log-1537507035?log=0&data=3-12-22