Multi-Fun - Dashboard Warning & Error Lights - Check Engine, EML, RF, EPS, DSC

[BMW Baracus]

Hi,

My BMW E85 2.0i has got 72k on the clock. Regularly serviced and all with BMW dealers (then a specialist since 2019). I've had the car for five years.

A couple of months ago a red run flat sensor came up. No deflation. I read that this wasn't unheard of.

Coming back from a couple of long drives over Christmas, I had to start and stop a few times for dropping things off. The car struggled to start on one of these occasions and later I went to start it with an EML light on.

Called RAC who scanned it revealing the following codes:
DTC: 2a67,valvetronic internal fault
DTC: 2a70, valvetronic, measured implausible value
DTS: 2a68, valvetronic, power restriction

They reset codes and I decided to see if they came back (understand that this can be related to valvetronic timing, eccentric shaft sensor, etc),

Today driving back from the local shop, there was a jolt at about 25mph and the dashboard lit up with yellow lights for Dynamic Stability Control (yellow), Electric Power Steering (yellow), Run Flat (yellow). Then a check engine light came on. EML did not display.

I was close to home so drove up the hill and parked. Engine bay looks clean. No smoke. Initially the car wouldn't restart following one attempt. I tried 15 minutes later and it did with the DSC, EPS, RF yellow lights on and the Check Engine Light. No punctures. I went back about an hour later and all have disappeared except the Check Engine Light. EML light is not displaying.

Battery (in case it matters was changed in 2018).

I'm about to attempt to venture over to my local garage that I've been using for years. Any thoughts from the forum members though please?

Best regards,
Tom

 

[buzyg]

Is your alternator working properly? If not the battery could be running down.

 

[BMW Baracus]

Thank you. Well, I think that I'll find out this afternoon. Battery was last changed in 2018.

 

[j3nks79]

Nobody will know until the codes have been read

 

[BMW Baracus]

It’s the crankshaft sensor.

 

[buzyg]

It’s the crankshaft sensor.

That would fit too. I recall my old Mazda 6 behaving in a similar manner many years back and that was a crack shaft sensor. I had to drive it like a nunn. If i floored the throttle it would splutter like a choking frenchman.

 

[BMW Baracus]

Hmmmm, so eight months on and I've had another limp mode issue, this time with codes (I have my own OBD reader now) and P1050, P1062. The car went into limp mode with an EML and then an Engine warning light both yellow. I know that there's another thread specifically on this, which I'm going to pick up on but I understand that P1062 is related to the valvetronic system. Hopefully, something not too heavy to fix. I've heard that the eccentric shaft sensor can be a bit expensive if its that.

 

[Z4Headscratcher]

Had a very similar situation back in May, engine light on followed by EML putting me into limp mode (while in the middle of nowhere in the Scottish Highlands). Codes came back for the VVT, ended up replacing the motor and that cured it. Ran up about a £500 bill for the part and labour.

That said, I’m back on with the engine light, codes reporting potential stretch in the timing chain. Has anyone come across that before? Mechanic reckons a flush and oil change could remedy false sensor readings, but if the chain is the problem then I’m looking at a hefty bill.

 

[BMW Baracus]

From what I've read, it sounds like the VVT motor could be culprit on mine too but we'll see.

As its so limited on the limp mode, I spoke to a small independent at the bottom of my road and they said that they could do anything as they don't the right tools for VVT. So, I'm going to get the RAC to take it to my usual garage - Brunswick - about 5 miles up the road (I live in a very hilly part of London) as I know that they are properly kitted up on BMWs and have a specialism in them.

Interestingly, when I read the codes out he stopped and said "that doesn't mean anything to me as my reader gives different codes" which I figure is because his reader isn't £16 reader (albeit recommended by Haynes).

I guess at 73,000 miles and 19 years old, these things are going to happen.