F30 328i N20 "Drivetrain malfunction" error 130304 + 130308

[BimmerSweden]

BMW F30 320i N20 engine

"Drivetrain malfunction etc" comes on occasionally.

The car feels and drives perfect except from this annoying issue.

Any help is more than welcome!

[dworthy]

Welcome to the Forum!

How many KM's on the car? Also what where did you get your VANOS Actuator's from? Cheap parts tend not to last on a BMW, more so if it's electronic.

Since you can pull codes, can you also watch live data? Would be interesting to see what the DME is commanding on the angle versus actual when it comes to the VANOS.

[BimmerSweden]

Thank you!

It has has close to 20 000 km on the clock.
But the car actually sounds more healthy than my previous F30 N20 with just over 10 000 km.

I can’t access any live data sadly. The fault codes was pulled by a mechanic.

The actuators were bought second hand, but genuine BMW from a low milage car, and was said to be tested and working.
But as I guess that still could be a possible cause as you mention.

I also have a theory that it could be dirty VANOS valves/solenoids?
It’s just a bummer that they cannot be replaced without opening the engine up if thats the case.

[dworthy]

Yes, dirty VANOS valve can cause delays and sticking. You can clean them out without having to pull the valve cover as they are on the front of the motor.

However with that low of a mileage, I would wonder if you have bad fuel as it seems the car hasn't been driven much, or did I miss read 20k KM on the clock?

[BimmerSweden]

20k (about 12500 miles)

The vanos solenoids/valves is unfortunately not an easy removal on the N20 engine.
I’ve removed and cleaned vanos solenoids before on E90, but on F30 N20 you have to remove the valve cover etc.

See attached image.


No. 11 is the easy removable vanos actuators, that I’ve already replaced.
No. 10 is vanos central valve (solenoid) that cannot be removed from the outside. (even though it looks so in the picture)

[enano]

Hello, were you able to sort the issue with the VANOS exhaust? Having a similar issue where it will throw a drivetrain malfunction only during long drives and low rpm. Thanks.

[mandd]

This DME has been flashed tuned in the past, the 201101 fault is indicative of this. It is possible that the VANOS adaptation table is corrupt.

Looking at your pictures in another forum, you must replace the VANOS piston first has it is damaged and replace the complete adjustment unit.

1. Reprogram the DME has there was an update to correct a VANOS adaptation lock in the DME. The only issue is that the 201101 fault will stay due to DME tampering (unlocked).

2. Remove the valve cover and inspect the Exhaust VANOS front cam cap and inspect for scoring or clogging of the oil port(s).

3. Replace the adjustment unit.


Has a last resort
****There is a high possibility that the DME may be the issue due to tampering, BM3 is a possible option****
****Cloning the DME may not work has the data blocks will be copied exactly has they appear****

Mark