Non starter again.

[Silverback355]

Hi guys,
2.0l 2005.
I've replaced the starter motor and the battery, plus fitted new iridium spark plugs. The car was running great until now. It's not firing up. Turn the keys and all I get is lights on the dash etc. So I plugged it into my mates obd reader and it's come up with Valvetronic, sensor excenter axle. !! Has anyone heard of this and would this cause my car not to start.?
I'm sat waiting for a new ignition switch to arrive today as I thought it was that before I put it on the obd. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Andrew Sheldon]

It may be the eccentric shaft sensor, they can get oil inside the sensitive electronics and give out random messages to the eccentric shaft motor. I ran my car for quite a while with the motor unplugged, if you can get the eccentric shaft in a certain position and unplug the motor the car will run OK but with slightly less acceleration and not as good mpg. Maybe unplug the motor and see if it makes any changes to the starting problem. If the sensor is no longer sending out any signals the motor could be frozen in the wrong position.. it could even be the motor itself that is no longer working.
These are just suggestions, I am not a BMW mechanic but I have experienced problems with the valvetronic system with the 2 litre engine the likes of which can be a bit of a nightmare to sort out and get your head around... Once sorted my car has run really well for a few years now.. Good luck

 

[Andrew Sheldon]

I think I should say the eccentric shaft sensor usually creates poor running and idling issues rather than non starting problems..

 

[Silverback355]

Hi Andrew, thanks for your reply. The more I look into the ESS the more it is to do with what you say. I've sorted the starting problem out. It was the Ignition switch. My concern was when I plugged it into an ANCEL OBD reader it came up with that fault. I've got a new rocker cover gasket to fit as I've a slight oil leak so I think I might change the ESS at the same time. Thanks again mate. The advice given on here is priceless.