P0014 vanos solenoids

[samanthag]

I just got a 2008 bmw 328xi about 4 times now it has stalled while driving. Took it to auto zone they told me it’s the P0012 code intake camshaft position timing. Then took it to bmw to see what else was wrong they said it’s the vanos solenoids and want $800 to fix. I took both the intake and exhaust solenoid out and cleaned it with engine degreaser after watching a few youtube videos... it’s still stalling, do they completely need replaced or could it be the camshaft sensor too? when i disconnected the solenoids they seemed to have a little oil where it connects electrically. Could that even be the issue?

[relative4]

Start by getting a BMW-capable scanner. A $10 K+DCAN cable from eBay and a free ISTA download is the cheapest and arguably best option.

[samanthag]

Okay thanks i’ll check that out. what’s that going to tell me like a more detailed code or something?

[relative4]

More meaningful. In the conversion from BMW hex codes to generic OBD codes, some information is lost in translation, to put it mildly.

[jclausen]

once you know what the fault codes are say intake cam solinoid you would swapped there positions clear faults and see does the fault follow the move or not, this will deterinme your next move

[Indi2000]

Have a 2008 320i and BMW specialist ,cleaned and swapped the Vanos (1 yr back)around and issue was solved ...but still feel one may be faulty ...but some reason to date ,working fine.
No fault codes for this have since shown up.