Codes codes codes...and ripped seat.

[Zooropa]

Ok so today I plugged in my little OBDII gadget to see if there were any codes showing. Recently had the battery replaced as it had totally drained due to the car being stored over winter and....

P0340 code which translates to Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Bank 1 or Single Sensor.

I have seen online that this can be caused by the battery being flat or weak. Is this true? Should I just clear the code and see if it comes back? The battery has now been changed and is working correctly.

Also, after an annoying day, I have ripped the bolster on the driver's seat. I think it was pretty worn and I was the heavy straw which broke the camel's back so to speak. Any thoughts on how to repair these?

This is my own fault (no pun intended) for going to look around the car today!

On the subject of the car leaning, it's going into a suspension place on Thursday for them to inspect the suspension parts to see if any work needs to be done.

Any help welcome.

 

[t-tony]

Ok so today I plugged in my little OBDII gadget to see if there were any codes showing. Recently had the battery replaced as it had totally drained due to the car being stored over winter and....

P0340 code which translates to Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Bank 1 or Single Sensor.

I have seen online that this can be caused by the battery being flat or weak. Is this true? Should I just clear the code and see if it comes back? The battery has now been changed and is working correctly.

Also, after an annoying day, I have ripped the bolster on the driver's seat. I think it was pretty worn and I was the heavy straw which broke the camel's back so to speak. Any thoughts on how to repair these?

This is my own fault (no pun intended) for going to look around the car today!

On the subject of the car leaning, it's going into a suspension place on Thursday for them to inspect the suspension parts to see if any work needs to be done.

Any help welcome.

Where are you located, often there is a member within range to help if needed.

Tony.

 

[Zooropa]

Where are you located, often there is a member within range to help if needed.

Tony.

Hi @t-tony im near Glasgow. Thanks

 

[Zooropa]

Ps. I should add that I feel absolutely no problem driving the car and there is no warning light that I can see either.

 

[andyglym]

www.trimworkshops.co.uk

These are in Glasgow, maybe worth a visit ?

 

[mwpe]

If the car is running OK, I would reset the code and see if it comes back. If it does they are very easy to change.

 

[billz]

Agree as above. I always reset the codes to see if they come back in. Then if they do thats when you need to address the issue

 

[Zooropa]

@billz @mwpe thanks for the info. Whilst you were posting your comments, I was doing exactly that. I reset the code, took it for a 15 minute drive and then ran a scan again...

The code returned.

So... what is this broken bit and how would one go about trying to fix it. I have the respray coming up too, is this going to be expensive?

Lastly, what symptoms would this cause? It could be that there is a problem that I'm just not noticing whilst driving.

Thanks guys

 

[mwpe]

Here is a camshaft sensor from ECP, you need to go to their website and put your reg in to be sure it is correct, I just looked for one for a 1.9 Z3.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/engine-management-sensor

 

[billz]

The cam sensor is around £85 if you get just a Bosch one from ECP and over £120 from BMW. Make sure you get a Bosch one as this is the OEM one but not stamped with BMW on. It will be the one that does Cylinders 1,2, and 3 as that is what Bank 1 is. Bank 2 is 4,5 and 6

 

[t-tony]

1.9 is a 4 pot Bill. Mounted on the front of the engine timing cover IIRC.

Tony.

 

[Faheem]

Depending on what engine you, this may or may not be the case.

With the 1.9l M44 engine, the camshaft position sensor is prone to failure. Often it's hard to source a good quality aftermarket sensor (I've tried 4 and only 1 was good), BMW sensors for this engine sell for roughly £120, but I highly recommend that if your sensor is at fault you replace with an oe sensor.

I didn't notice much in terms of poor performance, however, in my case, fuel efficiency went down the gutter.

As others have said, it would be a good idea to erase any codes, go for a long drive, and scan again to see if the code reappears.

 

[Zooropa]

Ouch! Not that cheap then! Oh well, nothing cheap on this little car but never mind.

How easy is it to do, is it something you can try yourself? Yeah mine is a 4 cylinder.

@Faheem thank you, the code did reappear.

@billz is the OEM part the Bosch part?

I seen on another thread today that there are two sensors, how do I know which one it is?

I'm sorry to ask so many questions!

 

[billz]

Dooo take more notice of avatars

 

[mwpe]

Although I gave you the link to ECP, I must admit that I always go OEM. it depends if you want the cheap option or not. You can find the part number on Real OEM and Sopers give a good service with discount and free postage.

 

[colb]

Two types of sensor so depends which engine is fitted if its a M43 1.9 the sensor has a short wire with a plug on it. M44 Engine type has a long wire with plug on it. Both are mounted at the front top of the camshaft cover.
Buy a known make Bosch or Siemens do not buy cheap pattern parts, been there done that!!

 

[billz]

Ouch! Not that cheap then! Oh well, nothing cheap on this little car but never mind.

How easy is it to do, is it something you can try yourself? Yeah mine is a 4 cylinder.

@Faheem thank you, the code did reappear.

@billz is the OEM part the Bosch part?

I seen on another thread today that there are two sensors, how do I know which one it is?

I'm sorry to ask so many questions!

The OEM Part number will be BMWs part number the other suppliers usually put that part number as a reference to help in getting the correct part

 

[t-tony]

I bought an OEM quality one for my Z3 from ECP. It was a Bosch part with the Bosch trade mark ground off, but the part number left. When I googled the part number it came up with the Original Bosch part.
You must ask for OEM quality part though.

Tony.

 

[Zooropa]

Dooo take more notice of avatars

@billz was this a mistake I made? I'm confused???

 

[billz]

@billz was this a mistake I made? I'm confused???

Not you mate was me. When you said it read Bank 1 i assumed (which is fatal) that it was a 6 cylinder. Did not look at your Avatar to see it was the 1.9 you were talking about