Need help doing vanos test with INPA

[JP1580]

Does this works?

[sapote]

I posted the VANOS test results as a jpeg.

.

I can't find the file.

[JP1580]

So yes the attached file is the new CEL codes post Vanos test.
I posted the VANOS test results as a jpeg.

Side note:
Confirmed that the plug is fully seated.
Started the car last night for 5 min.
Ran great no CEL.

I have a refurbished solenoid pack from Beisan that I'll install Friday.
I'll report back with results.

[sapote]

The P0014 code appears to be a VANOS timing issue. I recently the VANOS test while the car was running, and I have attached the results (jpeg) to this post.

the attached file lists the inpa error codes, but nothing about the vanos test result.

P0014: the EX cam timing is too advance. You need to check and set it to the correct position.

[JP1580]

I'll check again today but it seems that it works half the time.
Last time I changed the Vanos block, I ensured to hear the "click" and I zip tied the connection.

[BMWfanz]

Check vanos connector and wiring on solenoid pack

[JP1580]

Guys,
I am currently trying to resolve a P0014 CEL. Note the car has a full Beisan vanos rebluild (less the solenoid coil)

Here is some background on the vehicle:

- Initial Issue: The car was running rough back in May, and misfire codes pointed to the VANOS valve block.
- Action Taken: I replaced it with a refurbished unit from Beisan, which resolved the misfire.
- Current Codes: I am now getting P0011 and P0014 codes. Beisan suspects the VANOS solenoid coil is defective, and I have a refurbished replacement on the way, which will hopefully clear the P0011 code.

The P0014 code appears to be a VANOS timing issue. I recently the VANOS test while the car was running, and I have attached the results (jpeg) to this post.

Since running the test, the car has been running very rough. I also picked up eight new CEL codes, which are included in the attachment as a pdf. I attempted to clear the codes and reset the adaptations using INPA, but the car is still running rough.

I would appreciate any guidance or help you can provide on next steps. I don't know if my timing is off (i don't think so). I'm looking for the community input.

Thanks!

[alpinem3e46]

I ended up getting a genuine timing bridge & pin and the crankshaft lock. The intake cam ended up being over retarded like we thought. I went through and reset the timing and afterwards the intake vanos piston was sitting about 1mm lower than the edge of tube it slides through. I assumed that was the cover interface surface since the cover slides up against that.

Afterwards, I rotated the engine and checked the timing and the bridge tool slid in perfectly on both cams with the crank at TDC compression. The car runs significantly better now (feels normal other than having a slight stutter around 5k rpm) but the vanos test for the intake cam is still slightly off. Any thoughts? Here it is:

I cleared adaptations and the vanos test is giving the correct values now. Thanks for your help Sapote! You are an invaluable member of the E46 community.

[alpinem3e46]

no need to buy the tool for checking the timing. Do this: VC rempved, turn crank CW to TDC compression, #1 cam lobes should be pointing at each other at about 45* with the cam holes pointing close to vertical ref to the head top flat surface. remove the vanos IN piston front cover and the vanos piston should be about 1mm below the cover interface surface. in your case I believe the piston protrudes out quite a bit. To correct the problem, keep crank at TDC and with the vanos piston protrudes out, install the cover to push the piston back in at the max retard, loosen the hub bolts and proceed to set the timing such as the IN cam hole is 90* to the head top surface. run the Tool32 again to verify.
Note: the perfect timing set the hole not perfectly 90* to the head surface, but using 90* vertical is close enough for the job without the bridge tool.

I ended up getting a genuine timing bridge & pin and the crankshaft lock. The intake cam ended up being over retarded like we thought. I went through and reset the timing and afterwards the intake vanos piston was sitting about 1mm lower than the edge of tube it slides through. I assumed that was the cover interface surface since the cover slides up against that.

Afterwards, I rotated the engine and checked the timing and the bridge tool slid in perfectly on both cams with the crank at TDC compression. The car runs significantly better now (feels normal other than having a slight stutter around 5k rpm) but the vanos test for the intake cam is still slightly off. Any thoughts? Here it is:

Test file : C:\EDIABAS\ECU\MSS54_VANOS_TESTS.TST
Start : 20.08.2026 21:09:54.4
Nr 1( 1) : 20.08.2026 21:09:54.8
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_FRUEHANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_ISTWERT = -3 FF FF FF FD ÿÿÿý
EVAN_SOLLWERT = -10 FF FF FF F6 ÿÿÿö
EVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
EVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 2( 1) : 20.08.2026 21:10:00.3
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_SPAETANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_ISTWERT = 57 00 39 .9
EVAN_SOLLWERT = 75 00 4B .K
EVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
EVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 3( 1) : 20.08.2026 21:10:05.8
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_VERSTELLZEIT"," ","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH = 221 00 DD .Ý
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET = 228 00 E4 .ä
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH_EINH = ms
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET_EINH = ms
Nr 4( 1) : 20.08.2026 21:10:12.5
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_DICHTHEIT",""," ")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_STATUS = EVANOS-1-Einheit vorzeitig weggedriftet
Nr 5( 1) : 20.08.2026 21:10:27.1
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_FRUEHANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_ISTWERT = 0 00 00 ..
AVAN_SOLLWERT = -10 FF FF FF F6 ÿÿÿö
AVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
AVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 6( 1) : 20.08.2026 21:10:32.6
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_SPAETANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_ISTWERT = 48 00 30 .0
AVAN_SOLLWERT = 55 00 37 .7
AVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
AVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 7( 1) : 20.08.2026 21:10:38.1
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_VERSTELLZEIT"," ","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH = 191 00 BF .¿
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET = 195 00 C3 .Ã
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH_EINH = ms
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET_EINH = ms
Nr 8( 1) : 20.08.2026 21:10:44.7
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_DICHTHEIT",""," ")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_STATUS = AVANOS-1-Einheit vorzeitig weggedriftet
Stop : 20.08.2026 21:11:01.1
Dauer : 66.7 s

[nextelbuddy]

Did you ever find the cause of this?

just went away on its own. haven't noticed it since

[ejendow]

One of my cars is starting to have the marbles in a can sound at low RPM with a load on the engine. Sounds like pinging but it's a fresh rebuild. It's the same sign you're hearing cars when you run low octane fuel when you get the marbles in the canned sound.

Did you ever find the cause of this?

[sapote]

Code 72 (0x48) isn't saying that it's too retarded, it's saying that there was an electrical fault when attempting to control the intake retard valve in the VANOS unit. The DME has commanded the PWM output to control the valve, and isn't observing the expected measured load on the circuit when doing so.

Thanks for the info.
this site shows 0x48 related to the retard valve and I missed read it as retard value It makes sense now that the retard-solenoid has issue.

Since I have your attention, what's about the como error code 10 and 15 (0xA and F), is this related to the cam timing are off, or the vanos solenoid?

https://bmwfault.codes/Lookup

[sapote]

apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_FRUEHANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_ISTWERT = 36 00 24 .$
AVAN_SOLLWERT = -10 FF FF FF F6 yyyo
AVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
AVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 6( 1) : 16.09.2023 16:01:23,2
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_SPAETANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_ISTWERT = 39 00 27 .'
AVAN_SOLLWERT = 55 00 37 .7
AVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
AVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
.....................
but ECU didnt show any error codes on vanos or camhaft position at all

With such a big error on the timing, I wonder why DME didn't issue the error codes.

[karter16]

code 72 (48 hex) makes no sense as the vanos test report shows Intake cam max retard of 57 within 1 degree of the desired 60*, so why code 72 says it's too retarded?


apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_FRUEHANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_ISTWERT = -2 FF FF FF FE ÿÿÿþ
EVAN_SOLLWERT = -10 FF FF FF F6 ÿÿÿö

apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_SPAETANSCHLAG", "","")

EVAN_ISTWERT = 57 00 39 .9
EVAN_SOLLWERT = 75 00 4B .K

Code 72 (0x48) isn't saying that it's too retarded, it's saying that there was an electrical fault when attempting to control the intake retard valve in the VANOS unit. The DME has commanded the PWM output to control the valve, and isn't observing the expected measured load on the circuit when doing so.

[sapote]

It does protrude very slightly - maybe .5mm whereas the Intake is @ 2mm. There are also small cylindrical nubs in the center of the cap that protrude outwards that must provide the 'stop'. You can see witness marks on the pistons if you look closely.

This is the reason why the EX piston doesn't protrude out at the front due to the splined shaft bottomed on the pump disk and it's normal. I was wrong to assume it should protrude out as the IN side.