Lean code p2096- post catalyst fuel trim system too lean

[Shadow22]

130k miles, 2006 bmw 530i n52. When driving around town the car is normal never getting a lean code but anytime I drive down the highway at speed and am very light on the throttle I receive this code then it goes away in 2 to 3 days then comes back when I get back on highway. The code never comes up below 60.
Kinda stumped as how's it is lean after a converter. And I'm thinking if it was a MAF it would affect both banks. All short term and long term fuel trims are withing -2 and 3 on freeze fram data so I'm stuck on this one. Please help if you can.

[MarcoZandrini]

What is the actual code?

[Shadow22]

What is the actual code?

Po2096 the same code in the title posting

[shadowpuck]

one thing that'll help with troubleshooting is the actual BMW code, as opposed to the P-code - have you had the car scanned with a BMW diagnostic tool yet?

[Shadow22]

No idk where to get one, please dont force me to the stealership. iv used a snap on obd 2 reader but it's not for euro cars, it mostly dose only American cars, I need a new set of keys or newer program. And iv also used a few other readers but still that's the code that comes up. Don't have access to bmw scan tool.

[shadowpuck]

oh my - stealership? you are going to make friends fast here.

many of the folks that will likely help you in this forum work at dealerships - just FYI.

[Shadow22]

oh my - stealership? you are going to make friends fast here.

many of the folks that will likely help you in this forum work at dealerships - just FYI.

It will be ok. That's not the topic of the thread. Lol

[shadowpuck]

ok - just thought i'd give you the lay of the land and let you know that's considered a derogatory term here.

there's plenty of places that can read codes on a BMW with BMW software. heck, a bit of research and you can build your own computer to do it. many here have found the p codes to be grossly inaccurate. so, you may be asked to get a scan with some other gear.

what's the current state of the vehicle maintenance wise? how old are the o2 sensors - both pre/post cat? lean codes often point toward intake leaks someplace - has a smoke test been done to check for leaks?

[Shadow22]

O2 sensor as far as I know are the originals, I bought the car 10k ago and had no problems till now. All maintenance is all up to date, could a oil leak in my oil filter cap suck in air and cause it to be lean? My cap leaks oil from the gasket I ordered a new one yesterday. Have not performed a smoke test but engine is sounder except for the oil leak
Where could I get it scanned at?

[shadowpuck]

at 130k, at least the primary o2 sensors are due for replacement. that engine tends to develop air leaks - especially in the CCV and intake hoses. a smoke test is really the only way to find leaks - as many will be so small they can't be seen.

most good BMW independent shops will provide scans - sometimes for a fee. also, the local chapter of the BMW car club often has tools available to members; or other members with the scan tools necessary. I'd look into that as well.

The potential causes for that code run a long list from low fuel pressure/clogged filter (likely due for replacement anyway), a bad cat, to a bad o2 sensor, etc....

i'll let some of the other experts chime in - perhaps they've run into this code and have some more detailed ideas. i'd really want to see the BMW code info....

[Shadow22]

Thank you I'll look around for a scanner to try to pull the info up. What specific values are you interested in so I can retain them

[shadowpuck]

start with any trouble codes stored - including the description accompanying the code.

are you a BMW club member? If not, join and check with your local chapter. they'll know the good shops in the area, and also may have access to the tools needed.

[bmwdirtracer]

Shadow22, shadowpuck has given you the very finest information....including the part about people on this forum disliking the implications of "stealership" Please note that I do not work at a dealership - in fact, they are my competition -- but you should be aware that these are fine, honest, and extremely well trained and well equipped people. Whether you choose to go there for your work or not, no one here will care - but please don't be so grossly disrespectful to a bunch of great people you've never met, and who are on this forum to help people....for free.

I highly recommend a smoke test of the intake /crankcase vent system, and having the codes read with a diagnostic device that can read the BMW codes, not OBD.

[Shadow22]

Shadow22, shadowpuck has given you the very finest information....including the part about people on this forum disliking the implications of "stealership" Please note that I do not work at a dealership - in fact, they are my competition -- but you should be aware that these are fine, honest, and extremely well trained and well equipped people. Whether you choose to go there for your work or not, no one here will care - but please don't be so grossly disrespectful to a bunch of great people you've never met, and who are on this forum to help people....for free.

I highly recommend a smoke test of the intake /crankcase vent system, and having the codes read with a diagnostic device that can read the BMW codes, not OBD.

Thanks for the help, sorry didn't mean for that word to offend so many people. I'll look into getting them codes read because they are permanently stored as far as I know correct?

[shadowpuck]

yup, stored codes will be kept in the system.

[Shadow22]

otor Control:
Engine / Motor
Fault: Lambda probe front catalyst, adjustment control
Code: 2C31
Fault: Control input-VANOS Bank2
Code: 2A82
Fault: Lambda probe front catalyst, adjustment control
Code: 2C6B
Fault: Accelerator pedal and brake pedal module
Code: 2F8F
Fault: :Mixture Control: mixture too lean
Code: 2A2E
Fault: :Mixture Control 2: mixture too lean
Code: 2A2F
Fault: 02 PreCat sensor system check, bank 1
Code: 2C2B
Fault: variable intake control motor
Code: 2AAB
ABS / DSC / Brake:
Dynamische Stabilitaets Kontrolle / DSC
Fault: :Brake disc wipers
Code: 5ED2
Fault: Brake pad wear Error: Front
Code: 5F12
Fault: Brake pad wear Error: Check-rear sensor
Code: 5F15
Airbag:
Advanced Crash and Safety Management (ACSM)
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Transmission Control:
Transmission / Getriebe GS 19
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Instrument cluster:
Instrument cluster / Kombiinstrument
Fault: Terminal shutdown
Code: A559
Fault: Debug Info Combi
Code: A557
Fault: level actuator
Code: 9319
Central info display / Zentrales Display
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Light/Rain Control:
Rain/light sensor / Regen-Lichtsensor RLS
Fault: sorry, unknown fault
Code: DA44
Light / Licht
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Heating / AC:
Air conditioning / Klimaanlage
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Immobilizer System:
CAS
Fault: Signal detection error rate
Code: A0B5
Fault: Communication errors
Code: A114
Park distance control:
Cruise Control:
Sunroof / Roof:
Sunroof / Schiebedach
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Audio/Navi/Communication:
Phone / Telefon
Fault: GPS module fault
Code: A36B
Fault: Communication with the airbag SG disturbed
Code: A375
Fault: Error in the Bluetooth BT interface
Code: A379
Fault: Ring break diagnosis error
Code: D690
Digital Satellite-Tuner USA
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Seats:
Seats / Sitze
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Seats / Sitze
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Systems:
Gateway
Fault: Mirror heating error
Code: 93B2
Steering column switch / Lenkstockschalter
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Fuel pump / Kraftstoffpumpe
Fault: Over-temperature stage 1
Code: 629A
Car Communication Computer CCC
Fault: Message failure
Code: E18D
MASK
Fault: Error in the antenna power supply
Code: ABCA
Center-Konsole
Fault: Steering column module: initialized position data
Code: 9FED
Anti-theft alarm system:
Interior protection / Innenraumschutz
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Theft alarm / Diebstahl Warnanlage
Fault: Fault in the battery
Code: 9D12
Chassis:
Central Control / Zentrale Bedieneinheit
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Body:
Car Body Module
ECU OK, no Fault Code

[Shadow22]

otor Control:
Engine / Motor
Fault: Lambda probe front catalyst, adjustment control
Code: 2C31
Fault: Control input-VANOS Bank2
Code: 2A82
Fault: Lambda probe front catalyst, adjustment control
Code: 2C6B
Fault: Accelerator pedal and brake pedal module
Code: 2F8F
Fault: :Mixture Control: mixture too lean
Code: 2A2E
Fault: :Mixture Control 2: mixture too lean
Code: 2A2F
Fault: 02 PreCat sensor system check, bank 1
Code: 2C2B
Fault: variable intake control motor
Code: 2AAB
ABS / DSC / Brake:
Dynamische Stabilitaets Kontrolle / DSC
Fault: :Brake disc wipers
Code: 5ED2
Fault: Brake pad wear Error: Front
Code: 5F12
Fault: Brake pad wear Error: Check-rear sensor
Code: 5F15
Airbag:
Advanced Crash and Safety Management (ACSM)
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Transmission Control:
Transmission / Getriebe GS 19
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Instrument cluster:
Instrument cluster / Kombiinstrument
Fault: Terminal shutdown
Code: A559
Fault: Debug Info Combi
Code: A557
Fault: level actuator
Code: 9319
Central info display / Zentrales Display
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Light/Rain Control:
Rain/light sensor / Regen-Lichtsensor RLS
Fault: sorry, unknown fault
Code: DA44
Light / Licht
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Heating / AC:
Air conditioning / Klimaanlage
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Immobilizer System:
CAS
Fault: Signal detection error rate
Code: A0B5
Fault: Communication errors
Code: A114
Park distance control:
Cruise Control:
Sunroof / Roof:
Sunroof / Schiebedach
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Audio/Navi/Communication:
Phone / Telefon
Fault: GPS module fault
Code: A36B
Fault: Communication with the airbag SG disturbed
Code: A375
Fault: Error in the Bluetooth BT interface
Code: A379
Fault: Ring break diagnosis error
Code: D690
Digital Satellite-Tuner USA
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Seats:
Seats / Sitze
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Seats / Sitze
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Systems:
Gateway
Fault: Mirror heating error
Code: 93B2
Steering column switch / Lenkstockschalter
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Fuel pump / Kraftstoffpumpe
Fault: Over-temperature stage 1
Code: 629A
Car Communication Computer CCC
Fault: Message failure
Code: E18D
MASK
Fault: Error in the antenna power supply
Code: ABCA
Center-Konsole
Fault: Steering column module: initialized position data
Code: 9FED
Anti-theft alarm system:
Interior protection / Innenraumschutz
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Theft alarm / Diebstahl Warnanlage
Fault: Fault in the battery
Code: 9D12
Chassis:
Central Control / Zentrale Bedieneinheit
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Body:
Car Body Module
ECU OK, no Fault Code
Hope this helps

[Shadow22]

yup, stored codes will be kept in the system.

Any idea on these readings?

[Shadow22]

Any help?

[shadowpuck]

that's a wide range and list of codes - not always surprising as many of those could have been momentary problems.
have you tried clearing codes and seeing what comes back?
it still sounds like a smoke test is necessary to find any air/vacuum leaks.

i'm not as familiar with this chassis/motor as i am with the m54 and earlier varieties. i'm sure some of the other experts (i'm just a diy guy!) will jump in...

[Shadow22]

I took and cleared them and the only coded that have come back in the past week have been 2c31 and 2C6B and the 93B2 code everything else's is gone could just be momentary codes like you said. I'll try to get to a smoke test but Im thinking it's probally the 02 sensors.

[shadowpuck]

at the mileage, the primary o2 sensors are certainly due; can you view live o2 data to see if they are switching properly?
a smoke test is simple and (at least in my part of the world) affordable to have done. it's critical to know if there are any air/vacuum leaks.

you might also check and see what BMW recalls or TSBs apply to this vehicle - yes, that'll mean going to a dealership (somehow i suspect you'll survive). there's been fixes for things like the battery safety terminal, etc. that could be critical to fixing a range of issues.

[Shadow22]

My live data only shows front sensors in Mili amps and not volts but the downstream ones are steady between .7 and .8 volts.

[Shadow22]

Any help?

[shadowpuck]

Has a smoke test been performed yet?