Need help doing vanos test with INPA

[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.

[sapote]

error codes:
10: Signal: Camshaft sensor, Exhaust
15: Camshaft sensor 1: Synchronization to Crankshaft
185: Function: Exhaust VANOS
72 EVANOS1-late valve

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

[sapote]

Good question,
I don't know the routines for the DME to trigger the error codes.
I would expect the DME to check a level / edge from trigger wheel between low and high or visa versa during a certain crank angle window to detect a working sensor.
Maybe the window is small and it can trigger both codes? Even in newer ECU I see these 2 codes sometimes together.

May be the error is too large, above certain threshold -- the IN cam was 38* retarded instead of 0 -- and this caused the DME to issue codes 10 and 15 combo.

[Tomba]

Tomba, If the EX cam was too advance, why the DME didn't just issue the timing error code instead of error 10 and 15 combo? There are distint codes for VANOS too retarded or too advance, but I rarely see the combo of 10 and 15. Also the poster confirmed that after re-timed the cam then the error 10 and 15 gone.

Good question,
I don't know the routines for the DME to trigger the error codes.
I would expect the DME to check a level / edge from trigger wheel between low and high or visa versa during a certain crank angle window to detect a working sensor.
Maybe the window is small and it can trigger both codes? Even in newer ECU I see these 2 codes sometimes together.

[sapote]

I think my next step will be to order the timing tools and see if it’s in time.

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.

[alpinem3e46]

It expects to see 0 and yours is 38, meaning the intake cam is too retarded. Need to remove valve cover and double check the vanos timing on the Intake side.

How did you check the cam timing? Using the bridge tool?

I haven’t checked cam timing yet, the results from that vanos test are what made me think the intake cam timing is likely off. Unfortunately I am not sure what the previous shop that rebuilt the vanos did. The owner of this M3 tells me that it has had that code since the vanos work. I think my next step will be to order the timing tools and see if it’s in time.

Thanks again! I really appreciate your input.

[sapote]

[
Originally posted by JBAshland View Post
10: Signal: Camshaft sensor, Exhaust
15: Camshaft sensor 1: Synchronization to Crankshaft.......

This means that the expected crank angle window/range when a rising/falling edge is expected isn't happening. In your case it might be caused by the missing signal from the error code above.

Tomba, If the EX cam was too advance, why the DME didn't just issue the timing error code instead of error 10 and 15 combo? There are distint codes for VANOS too retarded or too advance, but I rarely see the combo of 10 and 15. Also the poster confirmed that after re-timed the cam then the error 10 and 15 gone.

[sapote]

Compared to the other results in this thread the intake values in test 1 and 2 seem very problematic. Since the minimum value is 38 and goes all the way up to the requested value of 75 do you all think that the intake cam being out of time could be the issue?

I appreciate the help!

It expects to see 0 and yours is 38, meaning the intake cam is too retarded. Need to remove valve cover and double check the vanos timing on the Intake side.

How did you check the cam timing? Using the bridge tool?

[sapote]

I will take a look

[alpinem3e46]

Hey everyone, helping someone out with an E46 M3 that is having issues after having the vanos refurbished at another shop. The symptoms are the following DME codes:
1: Driver / fuel pump relay
5E: Inlet vanos, adaptation
B8: Function, inlet vanos

In addition to that there is also an issue where the car usually wont start on the first attempt. It will crank endlessly but usually fires right up the second try. It also feels very down on power compared to my E46 M3. I swapped in a tested good fuel pump relay which did not fix the starting issue. I am planning to measure fuel pressure to make sure the fuel pump is working fine, but I was wondering if the intake timing being off could possibly cause the hard starting issue and the vanos codes. I found this forum thread and the test Tomba made and ran it. (Thanks again Tomba, you tuned an E60 M5 bin for me a while back so I could run S65 injectors. Thank you Sapote as well for being so involved on the forum).

Here are the results:

Test file : C:\EDIABAS\ECU\MSS54_VANOS_TESTS.TST
Start : 10.08.2026 18:51:47.0
Nr 1( 1) : 10.08.2026 18:51:47.4
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_FRUEHANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_ISTWERT = 38 00 26 .&
EVAN_SOLLWERT = -10 FF FF FF F6 ÿÿÿö
EVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
EVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW

Nr 2( 1) : 10.08.2026 18:51:53.0
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_SPAETANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_ISTWERT = 75 00 4B .K
EVAN_SOLLWERT = 75 00 4B .K
EVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
EVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW

Nr 3( 1) : 10.08.2026 18:51:59.0
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_VERSTELLZEIT"," ","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH = 0 00 00 ..
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET = 0 00 00 ..
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH_EINH = ms
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET_EINH = ms

Nr 4( 1) : 10.08.2026 18:52:05.8
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_DICHTHEIT",""," ")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_STATUS = EVANOS-1-Einheit vorzeitig weggedriftet

Nr 5( 1) : 10.08.2026 18:52:20.7
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) : 10.08.2026 18:52:26.2
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_SPAETANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_ISTWERT = 49 00 31 .1
AVAN_SOLLWERT = 55 00 37 .7
AVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
AVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW

Nr 7( 1) : 10.08.2026 18:52:31.7
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_VERSTELLZEIT"," ","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH = 165 00 A5 .¥
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET = 205 00 CD .Í
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH_EINH = ms
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET_EINH = ms

Nr 8( 1) : 10.08.2026 18:52:38.4
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_DICHTHEIT",""," ")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_STATUS = AVANOS-1-Einheit vorzeitig weggedriftet
Stop : 10.08.2026 18:52:55.0
Dauer : 68.1 s

Compared to the other results in this thread the intake values in test 1 and 2 seem very problematic. Since the minimum value is 38 and goes all the way up to the requested value of 75 do you all think that the intake cam being out of time could be the issue?

I appreciate the help!

[Abso]

Hello everyone, I found this post very interesting and I just tested it on an S50B32. Could someone tell me if my test is correct? Thank you.
Test file : C:\EDIABAS\ECU\BMW_S50B32_VANOS_TEST.TST
Start : 08.06.2025 10:44:35,0
Nr 1( 1) : 08.06.2025 10:44:35,1
apiJob("bmss501","ident","","")
ID_EML = 0 00 00 ..
ID_OBD2 = 0 00 00 ..
ID_AI_NR = 02
ID_HW_NR = 14 00 0E ..
ID_MOTOR = S50_MSS50
ID_SW_NR = 04
ID_BMW_NR = 1406611
ID_EWS_SS = 2 00 02 ..
ID_LIEF_NR = 0000115852
ID_PROD_NR = 971810576
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
ID_DATUM_KW = 20
ID_BUS_INDEX = 00
ID_COD_INDEX = 00
ID_DATUM_JAHR = 97
ID_DIAG_INDEX = 30
ID_LU_MESSUNG = 0 00 00 ..
ID_AIF_VORHANDEN = 1 00 01 ..
ID_LAMBDA_STEREO = 1 00 01 ..
ID_SG_HERSTELLER = 0 00 00 ..
Nr 2( 1) : 08.06.2025 10:44:35,2
apiJob("bmss501","STATUS_MOTORTEMPERATUR","","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
STATUS_MOTORTEMPERATUR_EINH = Grad C
STATUS_MOTORTEMPERATUR_WERT = 7.200000E+001
Nr 3( 1) : 08.06.2025 10:44:35,4
apiJob("bmss501","STATUS_OEL_TEMPERATUR","","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
STATUS_OEL_TEMPERATUR_EINH = Grad C
STATUS_OEL_TEMPERATUR_WERT = 4.300000E+001
Nr 4( 1) : 08.06.2025 10:44:35,7
apiJob("bmss501","STEUERN_EVANOS_FRUEHANSCHLAG","" ,"")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_ISTWERT = -1 FF FF FF FF ÿÿÿÿ
EVAN_SOLLWERT = 0 00 00 ..
EVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
EVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 5( 1) : 08.06.2025 10:44:41,0
apiJob("bmss501","STEUERN_EVANOS_SPAETANSCHLAG","" ,"")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_ISTWERT = 59 00 3B .;
EVAN_SOLLWERT = 60 00 3C .<
EVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
EVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 6( 1) : 08.06.2025 10:44:46,3
apiJob("bmss501","STEUERN_EVANOS_VERSTELLZEIT","", "")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH = 142 00 8E .?
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET = 174 00 AE .®
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH_EINH = ms
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET_EINH = ms
Nr 7( 1) : 08.06.2025 10:44:52,6
apiJob("bmss501","STEUERN_EVANOS_DICHTHEIT","","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_STATUS = VANOS-Einheit undicht, Messung abgebrochen
Nr 8( 1) : 08.06.2025 10:45:06,9
apiJob("bmss501","STEUERN_AVANOS_FRUEHANSCHLAG","" ,"")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_ISTWERT = 1 00 01 ..
AVAN_SOLLWERT = 0 00 00 ..
AVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
AVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 9( 1) : 08.06.2025 10:45:12,3
apiJob("bmss501","STEUERN_AVANOS_SPAETANSCHLAG","" ,"")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_ISTWERT = 40 00 28 .(
AVAN_SOLLWERT = 45 00 2D .-
AVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
AVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr10( 1) : 08.06.2025 10:45:17,6
apiJob("bmss501","STEUERN_AVANOS_VERSTELLZEIT","", "")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH = 184 00 B8 .¸
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET = 225 00 E1 .á
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH_EINH = ms
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET_EINH = ms
Nr11( 1) : 08.06.2025 10:45:23,8
apiJob("bmss501","STEUERN_AVANOS_DICHTHEIT","","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_STATUS = VANOS-Einheit undicht, Messung abgebrochen
Stop : 08.06.2025 10:45:38,4
Dauer : 63,4 s

[Tomba]

Cumbustion, you mean fuel contamination?

Could be yes.

[ac427]

pinging sounds more like cumbustion is not OK. Would check fuel trims and knock adaption too.

Cumbustion, you mean fuel contamination?

[BMWfanz]

Tomba, thank you so much for the .tst file! Very easy to perform with tools that I already own!

To keep the thread rolling, here are my results from the test, on a freshly rebuilt motor with all new chains, chain guides, vanos seals, etc. with a few dyno pulls and 1 race weekend on it.
I may re-time it over the winter to get that last 2 degrees on the intake cam.

Test file : C:\EDIABAS\ECU\MSS54_VANOS_TESTS.TST
Start : 29.10.2024 17:28:44.6
Nr 1( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:28:44.8
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_FRUEHANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_ISTWERT = -2 FF FF FF FE ÿÿÿþ
EVAN_SOLLWERT = -10 FF FF FF F6 ÿÿÿö
EVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
EVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 2( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:28:50.2
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_SPAETANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_ISTWERT = 58 00 3A .:
EVAN_SOLLWERT = 75 00 4B .K
EVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
EVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 3( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:28:55.7
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_VERSTELLZEIT"," ","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH = 263 01 07 ..
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET = 226 00 E2 .â
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH_EINH = ms
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET_EINH = ms
Nr 4( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:29:02.1
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_DICHTHEIT",""," ")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_STATUS = EVANOS-1-Einheit vorzeitig weggedriftet
Nr 5( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:29:16.5
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_FRUEHANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_ISTWERT = -1 FF FF FF FF ÿÿÿÿ
AVAN_SOLLWERT = -10 FF FF FF F6 ÿÿÿö
AVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
AVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 6( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:29:22.0
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_SPAETANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_ISTWERT = 47 00 2F ./
AVAN_SOLLWERT = 55 00 37 .7
AVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
AVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 7( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:29:27.4
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_VERSTELLZEIT"," ","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH = 219 00 DB .Û
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET = 215 00 D7 .×
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH_EINH = ms
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET_EINH = ms
Nr 8( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:29:33.8
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_DICHTHEIT",""," ")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_STATUS = AVANOS-1-Einheit vorzeitig weggedriftet
Stop : 29.10.2024 17:29:48.8
Dauer : 64.2 s

Actually you don't need to retime engine- there is full diapason of vanos (from -2 to 58 (60 degrees) and from -1 to 47 (48 degrees). Starting position of cams will be zeroed with adaptations.

[Deutsch]

Tomba, thank you so much for the .tst file! Very easy to perform with tools that I already own!

To keep the thread rolling, here are my results from the test, on a freshly rebuilt motor with all new chains, chain guides, vanos seals, etc. with a few dyno pulls and 1 race weekend on it.
I may re-time it over the winter to get that last 2 degrees on the intake cam.

Test file : C:\EDIABAS\ECU\MSS54_VANOS_TESTS.TST
Start : 29.10.2024 17:28:44.6
Nr 1( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:28:44.8
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_FRUEHANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_ISTWERT = -2 FF FF FF FE ÿÿÿþ
EVAN_SOLLWERT = -10 FF FF FF F6 ÿÿÿö
EVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
EVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 2( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:28:50.2
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_SPAETANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_ISTWERT = 58 00 3A .:
EVAN_SOLLWERT = 75 00 4B .K
EVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
EVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 3( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:28:55.7
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_VERSTELLZEIT"," ","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH = 263 01 07 ..
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET = 226 00 E2 .â
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH_EINH = ms
EVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET_EINH = ms
Nr 4( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:29:02.1
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_EVANOS1_DICHTHEIT",""," ")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
EVAN_STATUS = EVANOS-1-Einheit vorzeitig weggedriftet
Nr 5( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:29:16.5
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_FRUEHANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_ISTWERT = -1 FF FF FF FF ÿÿÿÿ
AVAN_SOLLWERT = -10 FF FF FF F6 ÿÿÿö
AVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
AVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 6( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:29:22.0
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_SPAETANSCHLAG", "","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_ISTWERT = 47 00 2F ./
AVAN_SOLLWERT = 55 00 37 .7
AVAN_ISTWERT_EINH = Grad KW
AVAN_SOLLWERT_EINH = Grad KW
Nr 7( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:29:27.4
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_VERSTELLZEIT"," ","")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH = 219 00 DB .Û
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET = 215 00 D7 .×
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_FRUEH_EINH = ms
AVAN_VERSTELLZEIT_SPAET_EINH = ms
Nr 8( 1) : 29.10.2024 17:29:33.8
apiJob("mss54ds0","STEUERN_AVANOS1_DICHTHEIT",""," ")
JOB_STATUS = OKAY
AVAN_STATUS = AVANOS-1-Einheit vorzeitig weggedriftet
Stop : 29.10.2024 17:29:48.8
Dauer : 64.2 s