OK...I'm sure everyone's been waiting with to hear how badly I botched my first crank pulley job :yikes: I got er done yesterday. I was really worried about the tensioner part of the show, because I was unable to get a Mini Tool in time. Seems like the trick is to use a pry bar with a good sharp edge, and an extra set of hands. My buddy got a good bite on the bottom edge and released the tension while I put the allen wrench in the hole(didn't slip once!!). The old pulley came off in two pieces like most of the pics I've seen.I elected to use a solid pulley. Got it back together yesterday. I cleared the codes, and have put maybe 25 miles on it so far with no problems, it's running great!
Thanks for everyone's advice on dis thang.:cornut:
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WALSTIB New Member
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Code 1688 is Electronic Throttle control Monitor Level/Mass Air Flow Calculation. The Bently manual has the description as Monitoring of mass air flow, low MAF limit exceeded, Related Components- Supercharger.
All that to say you may need to replace the SC belt. But the rattle could be a bad idler pulley or Belt tensioners.
If the SC belt is slipping this may be the cause of the problem.
I would check both-
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I would go with a fluid field or the OEM. check some of our sponsors. You could try Detroit Tuned, Helix, Way motor Works, eMiniparts just to name a few. They are all real helpfull. Just give one of them a call Monday.
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You can move the belt tensioner with a pry bar. I've done it two times. It is hard though. The one place to pry is small so the pry bar keeps slipping, then you need someone to put something is the tensioner hole to hold it. The tool would be much better.
Jason is right on with checking with the local club. I wish one of us rocket scientist had thought of that sooner.-
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Ok I'll take a stab.
What code are you getting that is telling you "cant read TDC"?
Get a flash light and take a good look at the crank pulley. You need to check the front of it to tell if its bad.
The pulley noise you hear could be the supercharger. It may have leaked out its oil. If you have a long screwdriver put it on the SC and the other end on your ear, just be careful don't get it near the pulley.
Let us know what you find-
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If you suspect a bad crank pulley, pull off the wheel, remove the liner and check it.....the stock ones have a tendancey to fall apart. And yes, that would throw a few codes if its bad.
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WALSTIB New MemberThanks ! that sounds like real good advice. I'll get on it tomorrow morning. I just hope I can get it wrapped up before Monday. I need to get a book,can't afford it right now...soon tho. I guess my trust issues were right with the guy that did the diagnostics on it. :cornut:
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WALSTIB New MemberI'm now 90% sure the noise I was hearing was the belt flapping around as it came around the sc pulley. I'm just going to replace the crank pulley and belt, and listen to it' if I hear anything strange I'll go from there :fingerscrossed:.
Gonna go 0%, the last thing my wife needs is MORE POWER.
Not a Gator fan just say that sometimes,ya know like "see ya later aligator"
Guess I'm just weird that way. Any how just waiting now for the part, wish me luck (hope the sc's not going.) Thanks for everyone's input,I really apreciate it.
If anyone's got an old Jeep they want to screw around with lemme know(just empty every pocket).-
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WALSTIB New MemberThanks Jason, I can relate. That's why I'm trying to pick as many brains as possible. I Can't afford a book right now, and I didn't now I needed a special tool to actuate the tensioner. Believe me I don't wanna break anything, but I need to get dis thang back on the road.
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Jason Montague New MemberLifetime Supporter:cornut: Silly me:blush2: , I forgot what can be the most important resource , your local MINI club. Metroplex Mini in Dallas , TX has many of these tools for their members. If you're unsure of clubs in your area , check the 'clubs list' above. Sorry about that.

Jason-
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Can't help, but I'll bump you back up.
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Jason Montague New MemberLifetime Supporter
:cornut: We really do have knowledgable people here that can probably help so we'll keep 'bumping' till they come along.

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WALSTIB New Member
Thanks Ireally need to get this thing running this weekend, and can't afford to take it to a shop.
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The CPS plug. Some time if you push the plug together then push in on the tab it may pull apart. doing this takes the tension off the catch allowing them to unlock before you pull it apart.
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WALSTIB New MemberThe code reader actually said "can't read top dead center" or something like that. I think it was related to 1688 code. I'm sorry if I don't have all info right, I took it to a BMW "specialist" and I'm not sure that I trust him. He said he thought the noise was coming from the idler pulley. I'll take the wheel off tomorrow morning and check for myself. I'm a Jeep guy (83 CJ7) so I'm new to all this computer code stuff.
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WALSTIB New Memberdo you think I'm wasting my time with the cps ? I've ordered the part but it doesn't come til tomorrow morning.
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That was a little long, here is the short. Nothing should rattle. If you have someone rev the engine while you look at the belt tensioner it should not move. If it moves very much it's letting the belt slip and needs to be changed. If you change it get a new belt also. If it is the idler pulley change it and the belt.
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WALSTIB New Member
I checked the pulleys the sound is coming from the crank pulley. It must be going bad internally,if it's wobbling it's very slight. I can't move it and the belt looks fine.
Wifey tells me it got hot when it went limp on her,when I drove it home the temp stayed fine. maybe the belt slipped a little but I saw no evidence of belt damage.
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