I can't say that I have noticed a different note so it does seem that this is not the issue on this occasion - unless I have been totally unaware and haven't noticed which would be worrying!
HELP! Engine Management Light on and no power...
- Thread starter ZedLeppelin
- Start date
The one we had in at work was noisy Mike, but maybe it had deteriorated more than yours, but the same effects,ie. EM light came but the engine ran OK.as I pointed out in post no. 8?
Tony.
The one we had in at work with the cracked manifold was a 2.0 4 cyl. motor mate. We even removed the exhaust manifold and had it welded at a specialist but it wasn't successful.
Tony.
Tony.
Mine was also welded but it did not make a difference. The stress cracks were all over, impossible to weld them all. I did wonder if Exhaust tape would make a difference but never tried it. Had a new manifold fitted in the end.
Mike
Mike
That was the end result at work too Mike, but not cheap!
Tony.
Tony.
I'm going to stick my neck out and say Camshaft sensor Mike, money's on inlet. Hopefully Mike @mwpe will confirm one way or the other.
Tony.
ps. How clean was my car on Sunday, Oh boy after the trip to Grantham today, ....... YUK. Know what I'll be doing this weekend, unless some toys come in the post this week.
Tony.
ps. How clean was my car on Sunday, Oh boy after the trip to Grantham today, ....... YUK. Know what I'll be doing this weekend, unless some toys come in the post this week.
Hi everyone, thanks to a very generous and kind Mike/mwpe coming to read the codes for me this morning - we now have an idea of what the issue is. It came up with two codes:
P1050 and P1062 which relate to the variable valve timing and "Vanos" system apparently - I will be taking a look into it further but at least I now know where the issue lies.
Mike has kindly reset the system so the lights are now gone and they haven't come back after a short drive. I will be taking it somewhere for further diagnosis and get the issue fixed, but at least I now have a usable car
Thanks everyone - and thanks Mike!! Legend!
P1050 and P1062 which relate to the variable valve timing and "Vanos" system apparently - I will be taking a look into it further but at least I now know where the issue lies.
Mike has kindly reset the system so the lights are now gone and they haven't come back after a short drive. I will be taking it somewhere for further diagnosis and get the issue fixed, but at least I now have a usable car
Thanks everyone - and thanks Mike!! Legend!
Have you any further updates on the problem you've experienced with you car @ZedLepplin? it would be nice if you could post some pictures of your car on here.
Mike
Mike
JOHN LANCASTER
Newbie
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2016
- Points
- 3
Hi, When this happened to my Z3 it was the MAF unit, try taking the plug out on the unit and see what happens. Best of luck
Hi Mike,
So far so good - the light hasn't come back on since the error codes were read and reset. In fact the car seems to pull a little better than before so maybe the issue has been fixed for now. I am going to see if it returns before getting it diagnosed further.
I had a think and I went over a bump a bit too quickly before it came on - so I wonder if something came loose momentarily and has now sorted itself out.
If it does come on again then I know where to look but BMW wanted £90 for a full diagnostic and I am waiting for their quotes on sensors.
I will get the car looking shiny and get some photos to put up for you all - I do need to take more! Need a nice bit of weather to come our way and a road trip to get some good ones!
Give Soper BMW Parts a ring and mention the forum name. They'll do you a good deal and if it's a sensor will post if free as well!
https://zroadster.org/threads/welcome-to-soper-of-lincoln-bmw-parts.3137/
Am a bit late to this party but is looks like you've done the right thing.
It seems the Zeds throw engine management lights at the drop of a hat, frequently for spurious and transient reasons.
Its clear that some sensor errors put the car into limp-home mode and it won't come back without clearing the codes - just what you've done.
I had mine come on towards the end of last year - I just happened to have my GoPro in the car and that captured it coming on - it reported a camshaft sensor code (if I remember correctly) which was coincident with going over a huge bump in the road. It was off one frame and on the next just as the outside view went wildly blurred. Cleared it and it stayed off. Just like your experience, but, looks like you had a sensor report that the ECU thinks is more serious if it faults so it acts to protect the engine.
Last week mine came on again, more or less at the same bit of road. Same again me thinks. However, there were no codes reported (at least on the reader I have). Carried on driving it and it went out all on its own while I was out on Sunday going up to see @t-tony - I had filled the car up previously with Tesco 99. On Sunday it was back to a tankful of 95RON fuel (not paying the £1.35 or more per l at the local garage). 55 miles into the trip, the light just goes out!
Both times the the light came on the car ran fine. Looks like this time the fuel caused something to get bitter and twisted - but no codes?
A code reader of some kind (that can also be used to reset codes) it seems is an essential bit of kit. Highly strung cars need a little more "listening to" and reassuring noises that you are listening!
It seems the Zeds throw engine management lights at the drop of a hat, frequently for spurious and transient reasons.
Its clear that some sensor errors put the car into limp-home mode and it won't come back without clearing the codes - just what you've done.
I had mine come on towards the end of last year - I just happened to have my GoPro in the car and that captured it coming on - it reported a camshaft sensor code (if I remember correctly) which was coincident with going over a huge bump in the road. It was off one frame and on the next just as the outside view went wildly blurred. Cleared it and it stayed off. Just like your experience, but, looks like you had a sensor report that the ECU thinks is more serious if it faults so it acts to protect the engine.
Last week mine came on again, more or less at the same bit of road. Same again me thinks. However, there were no codes reported (at least on the reader I have). Carried on driving it and it went out all on its own while I was out on Sunday going up to see @t-tony - I had filled the car up previously with Tesco 99. On Sunday it was back to a tankful of 95RON fuel (not paying the £1.35 or more per l at the local garage). 55 miles into the trip, the light just goes out!
Both times the the light came on the car ran fine. Looks like this time the fuel caused something to get bitter and twisted - but no codes?
A code reader of some kind (that can also be used to reset codes) it seems is an essential bit of kit. Highly strung cars need a little more "listening to" and reassuring noises that you are listening!
Ok - so thank you everyone for helping me out with this issue but there is an update (and it is not a good one)
Mike from the forum kindly cleared the codes and all was fine until the weekend just gone where bingo it came up again. This time with both EML and the engine symbol showing.
I took it to BMW and they diagnosed the issue but found a whole load of previous codes - but they pinpointed the Vanos system and said to get a new control unit and relay - and then test again (which hints to me that they think rather than know it is this, but are not 100% and are taking an educated guess).
I was quoted a whopping £1200 by BMW - which seems a little steep to me. Am I being ripped off, or is this problem going to cost me this much to resolve if it is the control unit/relay?
My dad has said he can fit the control unit and relay which would save money but the problem is I do not know the correct part number for them to order it in for him to fit.
Does anyone know this information?
Thanks in advance
Matt
Mike from the forum kindly cleared the codes and all was fine until the weekend just gone where bingo it came up again. This time with both EML and the engine symbol showing.
I took it to BMW and they diagnosed the issue but found a whole load of previous codes - but they pinpointed the Vanos system and said to get a new control unit and relay - and then test again (which hints to me that they think rather than know it is this, but are not 100% and are taking an educated guess).
I was quoted a whopping £1200 by BMW
- which seems a little steep to me. Am I being ripped off, or is this problem going to cost me this much to resolve if it is the control unit/relay?My dad has said he can fit the control unit and relay which would save money but the problem is I do not know the correct part number for them to order it in for him to fit.
Does anyone know this information?
Thanks in advance
Matt
Thanks for this - it does sound remarkably similar. My car was taken into BMW and a whole load of codes came up apparently so I think it is something more than the bump or a weird fuel issue. I think a code reader will be on my wish list as it does seem to want to throw them up and I would like to know what they are before BMW try to take me for a ride.
Your change of fuel and the light going out has made me think though!
Did you get a list of the codes?
BMW tend to just go through a series of suggestions slowly relieving you of your money until they hit on the problem by all accounts.
If you have the codes then someone on here will be able to give you a much more reasoned diagnosis I'm sure.
I am off to BMW in about an hour to pick it up so I will get them to give me a list of the codes that were thrown up. I think you are right about the series of suggestions!
I will post again once I have the list of codes but they definitely said Control unit and Relay.
:/
I could do without spending £1200!
Thanks for your help
Just found this...
Solenoid Coil Pack
The electronics that control the Vanos unit are located in the Solenoid Coil Pack. It contains coils, which operate the solenoids that control the direction of oil pressure through the Vanos unit, and therefore the pistons that control the cam position within the engine. However, it has some faults – the vibration of the engine can break the solder joints within the coil pack, rendering it useless. This is a common cause for check engine lights – the Vanos will be frozen into its position at the point of failure, meaning either poor running at low revs, or lack of performance at high revs.
Do you get either problem?
Solenoid Coil Pack
The electronics that control the Vanos unit are located in the Solenoid Coil Pack. It contains coils, which operate the solenoids that control the direction of oil pressure through the Vanos unit, and therefore the pistons that control the cam position within the engine. However, it has some faults – the vibration of the engine can break the solder joints within the coil pack, rendering it useless. This is a common cause for check engine lights – the Vanos will be frozen into its position at the point of failure, meaning either poor running at low revs, or lack of performance at high revs.
Do you get either problem?