EML back on (again)

[AntStark]

Enjoying a lovely evening cruise along the south coast last night when I noticed the EML light had sneaked back on to my dash ...without warning or invitation for that matter!

There was no obvious change in how the car was driving so I pressed on. Idle is fine and no misfires.

Scanned for codes this morning and have reset to see what comes back
P0340 - Which is cam position sensor...I am going to ignore this for now on the basis a) Its had a new OEM one fitted within the last month and b) My indy said he also couldn't reset this code with his fancy BMW diagnostics last time he scanned it.
P0130 - O2 Sensor Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 1

Whats the best approach for the P0130 ? (on an M43 engine)

Was thinking air leaks first.
It's had all the immediately visible little vacuum pipes changed but not checked anything around/under the throttle body casing. The big pipe from the MAF looks fine but I guess I should take it off and look properly in the bendy bits.

Then what ? New air sensor ? New MAF? I don't have the tools (or skills for that matter) to check whether either are duff
Is an air sensor change something I can do or does it need to be up on a ramp ?

Here's the output from my basic scanner if anyone can offer any insight - Fuel trim look ok. FuelSys1 OL (Open Loop) I guess isn't a good thing ?

 

[colb]

Strange to get the Camshaft sensor code from a new oem one so soon. As to the exhaust sensor that could be an air leak causing it or the sensor has gone bad. With a better diagnostic tool it would be easy to view the data from it to see what its performing like or if its working at all, in graph form you should get a wave pattern as it ranges up and down the voltages. If you suspect an air leak but can't find any splits or holes then a smoke test would find any. Air leaks affect the fuel trims and with a decent diagnostic scanner you can view the fuel trims to see if they are high as the extra air picked up in the exhaust will make the DME increase the fuel at the injectors to richen what it sees as a lean condition.

 

[AntStark]

Thanks colb. I am not sure there is a cam sensor issue tbh. It certainly doesn't exhibit any of the symptoms of one failing. My local BMW specialist had previously said he could see the cam sensor error code when he scanned the car (when there was no EML light on) but couldn't clear it....some glitch I guess.

Anyway, Just taken the car for a 25 mile blast around the Hampshire countryside...not a hint of rough running or hesitation, nor a glimmer of the EML coming back on again.

I'll put it down to heatstroke and spend my time looking at better code scanner options instead.

 

[t-tony]

If your Indy couldn’t clear the fault code for the cam sensor that’ll be why it’s still showing. But strange he couldn’t clear it all the same. All you can do for now is monitor it and see what happens.

Tony.

 

[AntStark]

Yip, he said it was really weird. Decided I won’t worry about .thanks Tony

 

[colb]

If you are looking at a better performing code reader I would reccomend a Creator 310+ if you want a handheld type. If you want to go for a Laptop Diagnostic setup the simple to use BMW Scanner 1.4 works a treat and will read all the modules fitted to your car, clear codes and do some programming as well. BMW INPA diagnostics is a good package but can be a pain to set up on a laptop, I have it bought on ebay from BMCables seller. Also be aware that you need a 20pin to 16pin OBD2 cable changer to plug in these products to the round 20pin diagnostic socket in the engine bay as that will connect to all modules on your car. If you have a 16pin OBD socket inside the car under the steering wheel that will only read the engine module. I recently had an airbag light that INPA and BMW Scanner 1.4 wouldnt clear, the Creator 1.4 scanner cleared it first go.

 

[AntStark]

Thanks Colb. I have a 20 pin adapter on the way already but will look at all the other options you have suggested for scanners ..thanks for the advice !