E89 Engine Light - Reduced power mode - Camshaft Sensor?

[matthiasmilli]

Hi guys

New to this forum.. I had an E85 with rarely any issues at all - but just bought an E89 with only 28k miles done - but it's hit an engine light problem. Kept going into reduced power mode. Fault code was reading: 'Camshaft Position Sensor 'A' Circuit Bank 1 or Single Sensor'.
Engine light would come on literally any time you started the car
Got it diagnosed by a specialist and they replaced the camshaft position sensor, and the valvetronic servomotor (which was rather costly!) and the light went away. Started the car a few times, did around 20 miles testing - Problem seemed to be gone.

Light has just popped on again with the same issue. Even though the parts have been replaced!

Does anyone have any ideas what it could be? If it could be anything else causing the issues?

Any help would be appreciated!

*Note after 27k miles, the car was idle for a couple of years - but has done 1k miles since it was back on the road. Wondering if something has seized maybe?

 

[The.Analyst]

May help if you state the engine type

And what the current error code post rectification work

 

[matthiasmilli]

Hi there

My car is the E89, 2012, 2.0L, 20i, M Sport, Manual
The first code was using my OBD reader, thats when I took it into the garage.
He then did the diagnostic with the more advanced diagnostic tool did and repair work
Then when the light came back on, the mechanic just so happened to be next to me and he plugged his diagnostic tool back in and said it was 'the same issue' according to the results

He said it might just be some programming that needs doing, so the car is currently still with him

I just thought i'd reach out on here for any thoughts/ideas that he might be missing - worth a shot i guess

Cheers

 

[The.Analyst]

Sounds like you need to take lit to a decent bmw Indy with the proper bmw diagnostics to bottom out the issue

Very unusual for those N20 engines to have valvetronic issues

Cam chain issues are more common

Wonder if that could be causing the issue

Decent BMW Indy way to go

 

[Fady]

Sounds like you need to take lit to a decent bmw Indy with the proper bmw diagnostics to bottom out the issue

Very unusual for those N20 engines to have valvetronic issues

Cam chain issues are more common

Wonder if that could be causing the issue

Decent BMW Indy way to go

Car is on 28k so would be surprised if it is, dare I say, the very much overstated (!) timing chain guide issue.

Agree that a second opinion is likely required but obviously OP is hoping for pointers from someone who may have had a similar experience.

 

[matthiasmilli]

Thanks for the responses.
I have it booked in but the earliest is still a couple of weeks away so just here looking for ideas/pointers of things we can check while I wait for the appointment

As it was in storage for a couple of years, i thought that might be part of the issue - or possibly battery related
The mechanic that looked at it said he doesn't think its a mechanical issue, but an electrical or programming issue where it's thinking there's an issue so forcing it into reduced power mode

 

[B21]

Thanks for the responses.
I have it booked in but the earliest is still a couple of weeks away so just here looking for ideas/pointers of things we can check while I wait for the appointment

As it was in storage for a couple of years, i thought that might be part of the issue - or possibly battery related
The mechanic that looked at it said he doesn't think its a mechanical issue, but an electrical or programming issue where it's thinking there's an issue so forcing it into reduced power mode

It’s well documented that a dying /flat /out of condition battery on E89s are really bad news..often causing real and phantom faults..but this error seems weird..

A new AGM battery of 70ah/80ah may be a good step..

 

[matthiasmilli]

Thanks, guys
I'll see what the mechanic says this time around - i'll ask him to see if he can check any of the things listed above and will report back to this with results in case anyone has similar issues in the future

In the meantime, if anyone else has any ideas on this, please let me know

Greatly appreciated

 

[matsmith749]

If the car has been stood for 2 years, a new battery will not hurt.

£100 is cheaper than a diagnostic session at the garage (cost to replace battery) - and you need it regardless.

I would change it & see how you go, even if it does not change this behaviour.

 

[matthiasmilli]

I've just spoken to the seller (As i haven't long owned the car) and he's advised me that the car had a new battery already once it came out of storage.
Although it sounds like 'I've just bought a car and it's instantly got a warning light' - he's actually been extremely helpful and has paid for the repairs thats been required so far

I suppose i could check that the battery is the correct type? In case it's the wrong type or something silly like that