VANOS ERRORS + CE light

[///m3 mike]

Ok, i have a 97 e36 m3, and recently, the (check engine) CE light went off.

I took my car to the local shop, and they ran the code and apparently it came back as a vanos error. (Mechanical Jamming VANOS Unit)

They decided to replace the vanos solenoid at a cost of about 350.00

The CE light went away... for a day!

When I brought my car back in, they decided the VANOS itself was most likely the culprit (same error). So another 450.00 and they told me the car was fixed.

Well I picked up the car, and drove it for about a day, and now the CE light intermittantly comes on / off.

Anyone know whats going on here?
PLZ help me this is getting expensive!

-Mike

[M3Jokster]

mike,

FYI: a complete brand new vanos unit including solenoid cost only 196.80 pacific bmw.

list price 260.00

btw.. part number 11-36-1-748-819

I think the guy is gonna double charge you on the parts. i don't think they sell the solenoid separately.

do u expereince any lag prior to having the CEL...bc with the vanos malfunction, the you'll see lag at higher RPM.

[///m3 mike]

I sure hope not. I took it to bullet performance, and i've heard nothing but good from other customers of theirs.

I really dont feel any lag if the CE light isnt on. Once the light is on, the car runs like crap though...

[Van1]

$350 to replace a Vanos solenoid? Its a $70.00 part and takes 5 min to replace. And yes, you can buy just the solenoid. Might want to find another shop.

Did they replace the whole Vanos unit on the second time at the shop? If so, they may have botched the install. Once again, find another shop.

I had this problem before after I went to the shop to fix a Vanos rattle I was experiencing. The shop replaced the spring and thrust washers which fixed the rattle but after that I kept getting CE lights saying the Vanos was jammed. After 3 trips back to the shop it was finally fixed. First time back at shop, the solenoid was replaced. Still got the CE light. Second time they replaced the piston. Still got the CE light. Third time they replaced the whole Vanos unit and all is good now 15k mi later. When they replaced the Vanos after the third time at the shop, they paid for the Vanos unit and didn't charge me labor. Wanted to keep me a happy customer after all the hassles of getting it right.

[bimmer95]

The solenoid is available as a separate part, but it's also included in a VANOS assembly. So basically you bought two solenoids in addition to getting jacked on the labor, uggg.

[M3Jokster]

m3mike

i got my schrick cams installed there, they did a great job on mine...FYI...the BEST mechanic there is a guy name Andy, ask for him....he's very experience in the Vanos unit.