rough idle - sometimes - limp mode

[winchman]

2007 Z4 3.0 6spd 96000 miles
engine does not run right - or it does...

started rough - like only a few cyliders were firing... shut off and started again - same thing shut off and waited 10 seconds - started fine and drove home....
ran fine a couple days - until I drove app 50 miles stopped at a store - came out - would not start - starter turned engine would not fire - tried a couple times - waited 20 seconds - started and drove home...
ran fine a couple days - ran a couple errands - drivinging home and it went into "limp mode" - engine ran smooth but limited to < 2500 RPMs - got home shut off and back on - ran fine rev'ed and ran fine up to higer RPM's - ran fine as I drove it to a shop...
took it to shop and was told cam solenoids were bad - they were replaced $$$$
now same thing - worked a couple days and this morning - limp mode

any ideas? suggestions?

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Firstly, I assume you are in the US.

If you have described all the issues above to the shop and they have quoted a cost to fix, then take it back and ask them to actually fix it. In the UK you would certainly have the cost of the solenoids refunded if they couldn't refit the old ones at no charge.

You need a code reader, anything else will be expensive guesswork like you have experienced so far.

 

[GuidoK]

suggestions?

Codereader.
Limp mode means there is always a code. (my guess multiple codes..)
Without that code there's no way of knowing the shop is right or not. (actually we know the answer to that as the problem came back :wink: )

Suggesting the shop was on the right track, it might be camsensors. But then again... it might not :lol:

In case of multiple codes that seem to have no relation, write them down, delete all codes, drive until the problem comes back and see which codes are present.

 

[Chris_D]

2007 Z4 3.0 6spd 96000 miles
engine does not run right - or it does...

started rough - like only a few cyliders were firing... shut off and started again - same thing shut off and waited 10 seconds - started fine and drove home....
ran fine a couple days - until I drove app 50 miles stopped at a store - came out - would not start - starter turned engine would not fire - tried a couple times - waited 20 seconds - started and drove home...
ran fine a couple days - ran a couple errands - drivinging home and it went into "limp mode" - engine ran smooth but limited to < 2500 RPMs - got home shut off and back on - ran fine rev'ed and ran fine up to higer RPM's - ran fine as I drove it to a shop...
took it to shop and was told cam solenoids were bad - they were replaced $$$$
now same thing - worked a couple days and this morning - limp mode

any ideas? suggestions?

Could have similarities to my ongoing problem.
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=90194

Will bwe replacing TB, cam/crank posn sensors and maybe TPS too if that lot doesnt fix problem....
waiting for parts and obd cables to arrive, which should help.
Last resort- the indie....