318i engine control light, strange engine behaviour- rough running, Fault code 0x2A99

[trevor42]

Hi guys,

have an issue with my freakin engine N43 for the 318i.
The engine is stuttering and vibrating this also can be seen on the vibration of the gearstick.
Yesterday the engine also stalled. After a few tries I could start engine again.
Also the engine control light popped up.
Checking the fault code and the VANOS values is showing the following:

The Vanos values look somehow strange as they are out of the green range:
Adaption Camshaft-Inlet - reference flank:
The green range is between -10 to +10
The measured value is out of green range at a value of 12.6

Adaption Camshaft-Outlet - reference flank:
The green range is between -10 to +10
The measured value is out of green range at a value of 19.4

What is causing this values?

The following fault code is shown in the memory:
N43
0x2A99 exhaust camshaft correlation
4173 value out of range
Wert außerhalb Referenzbereich

Thank you for your help and advices
Trevor

[trevor42]

So, after checking the fault codes once again, we now see the following fault codes:

2A87:
2A87 Outlet-Vanos variable cam control test, mechanics
Error will cause a warning light
Error is not currently present
Test conditions have been completed

2A99:
2A99 Crank shaft - outlet camshaft, correlation
Error will cause a warning light
Error is not currently present
Test conditions have been completed
Short circuit or signal interruption

I cleaned the VANOS solenoids with brake cleaner and compressed air.
Further I interchanged them: inlet Solenoid -> outlet Solenoid and vice versa.
The same faults are still there and still the fault is on the outlet VANOS (exhaust) side.

Interchanging the camshaft sensors inlet->outlet also did not help.
The same faults are still there and still the fault is on the outlet VANOS (exhaust) side.

I guess the crankshaft sensor should be fine as I only have the fault onoutlet VANOS (exhaust) side. Bad Crankshaft sensor would also cause a fault in inlet VANOS side, is this correct?

So what do you experts suggest next to do?

[trevor42]

Thanks so far for your comments. I have been on a longer trip and just returned today, and now of course I have to fix this issue urgently :-). After checking the fault codes again, we now see the following fault codes:2A87:2A87 Outlet-Vanos variable cam control test, mechanicsError will cause a warning lightError is not currently presentTest conditions have been completed2A99:2A99 Crank shaft - outlet camshaft, correlationError will cause a warning lightError is not currently presentTest conditions have been completedShort circuit or signal interruptionI cleaned the VANOS solenoids with brake cleaner and compressed air.Further I interchanged them: inlet Solenoid -> outlet Solenoid and vice versa.The same faults are still there and still the fault is on the outlet VANOS (exhaust) side.Interchanging the camshaft sensors inlet->outlet also did not help. The same faults are still there and still the fault is on the outlet VANOS (exhaust) side.I guess the crankshaft sensor should be fine as I only have the fault onoutlet VANOS (exhaust) side. Bad Crankshaft sensor would also cause a fault in inlet VANOS side, is this correct?So what do you experts suggest next to do?

[trevor42]

Any comments or help will be really appreciated. PLEASE HELP :-)

[absolutnick]

Hi there and here to revive thread, I have the exact same codes on my 118i N43 2007. Symptoms are gerkiness on idle, sounds like diesel when cold. Up to now replaced timing chain tensioner and swapped vanos solenoids, no joy.
Did you ever manage to resolve the issue?
thank you

[Glenncairns]

My 320i stalls when cold and giving same problems. So far timing chain and guides replaced, 2 genuine camshaft sensors, 2 vanos solinoids, 2 vanos units. If its left to warm up 5 mins its fine. Any one had this problem?