BMW X5 Throttle Response Gone: Limp Mode Mystery Solved

Hey there! I had nearly identical issues with my 2013 BMW X3 last year. The symptoms you're describing match what I experienced, limp mode, unresponsive accelerator, and high idle. Initially thought it was the throttle body too, but turned out to be a faulty accelerator pedal module. When I took it to the garage, diagnostic tests showed the pedal sensor was sending incorrect signals to the ECU. It wasn't just a simple fix, the entire pedal module needed replacement. They also discovered some corroded wiring connections that were contributing to the problem. The repair was pretty straightforward once they identified the real issue. The car's been running perfectly since then. I'd definitely recommend getting a proper diagnostic scan rather than assuming it's the throttle body. These symptoms can be misleading, and replacing the wrong parts won't solve your problem. Trust me, it's worth getting this checked out soon, driving in limp mode isn't good for your engine long-term. Best of luck with the repair.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful as I'm dealing with something similar right now. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the pedal module replacement and fixing those corroded wires? Also, just curious if you've had any other related issues pop up since the repair? My last BMW repair bill was quite a shocker, so I'm trying to get an idea of what I might be looking at cost-wise.

Hey again! Happy to help out! Since getting that pedal module replaced, my X3 has been running like a dream. The total bill came to 265€ for the accelerator pedal module repair, which included sorting out those electronic issues inside. While it wasn't cheap, it was definitely worth every cent since it completely fixed the problem. You'll be relieved to hear I haven't had a single related issue since then, no more limp mode, weird idling, or throttle problems. The car's response is spot-on now. The mechanic also found and fixed a defective throttle valve during the diagnostic, which was causing some of those symptoms we discussed. I totally get your concern about repair costs, BMWs aren't exactly known for being cheap to fix! But honestly, this repair was way more reasonable than some other BMW issues I've dealt with in the past. Just make sure you get a proper diagnosis first, that's the key to avoiding unnecessary parts replacement. Let me know how it goes with your X5. Hope you get it sorted without too much damage to your wallet!

Thanks so much for the detailed follow-up! Just wanted to update you, I took my X5 to a mechanic yesterday. You were right about getting a proper diagnosis first! Turns out it wasn't the throttle body at all, it was actually a failing sensor and some electrical issues. The whole thing cost me about 380€, which wasn't as bad as I feared. The mechanic was really thorough and showed me exactly what was wrong. Unlike my last terrible experience where they just kept replacing parts hoping to fix the problem, this guy knew exactly what he was doing. The car's running perfectly now, no more limp mode, and the idle's back to normal. Really appreciate your advice about getting a proper diagnostic scan first. You saved me from potentially wasting money on replacing the wrong parts. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me handle this situation better!