Car cuts out

[ChrisBrand]

So I had the shock of my life yesteday.

While driving, spiritedly but not racecar fast, the engine simply cut all power at 120km/h and my battery and oil light came on (red colour).

Pulled the car over and switched it off. Switched it on again and the car was okay.

Drove home and plugged in the diagnostics and it showed both my camshaft sensors (intake and exhaust) were faulty.

My question, can both sensors pack up at the same time or is there something else that would trip these error codes that I need to look at.

Regards

PS: My car is a 1999 e46 328i

 

[gconry18]

Has your battery been replaced recently? Maybe get a free battery test done.

 

[ChrisBrand]

Jip replaced battery last year

 

[Pho3niX90]

Possible that your serpentine belt might be slipping/worn? (Red battery light), are those errors still visible?

 

[Philip Foglar]

If you clear the fault does it return immediately when running the car? Both sensors failing at the same does seem to be fairly odd and unlikely, but then again, anything is possible.

 

[ChrisBrand]

Havent checked for fault coides again as car was running okay the rest of the day. Havent driven since Sunday so will check again this afternoon if codes are back.

Main belt was replaced 2 months ago

 

[GPGrobler]

Sounds more like alternator/alternator belt, than the sensors.

---

Chris, before chasing up ghosts, check if both battery terminals are tight and clean, my E30 did the same a while back - turned out to be a slightly loose positive battery cable.

 

[ChrisBrand]

To be honest it almost felt like when you ride your bike and the chain comes off. Except the revs also didnt go anywhere when planting it.

Which is why i think it could be the belt but quick inspection shows that all looks fine.

Will run codes again and have a good look

 

[gconry18]

Is it possible you were just going so fast that time stood still?

 

[ChrisBrand]

Is it possible you were just going so fast that time stood still?

Very possible. But when the auntie in the VW Kombi came past I knew something was up.

 

[moranor@axis]

to me it seems like an electrical supply issue maybe a loose earth?

 

[ChrisBrand]

If its only a loose wire I would be very happy. Still dont know what caused the Camshafts errors then

 

[Pho3niX90]

Have you checked the codes again? Maybe instead of belt could possibly be tensioner going out? Not sure how to test though. I think loose connection on battery actually throws an error on these cars showing a terminal error if not mistaking.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[ChrisBrand]

Have you checked the codes again? Maybe instead of belt could possibly be tensioner going out? Not sure how to test though. I think loose connection on battery actually throws an error on these cars showing a terminal error if not mistaking.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

A break in the voltage, loose wire, should throw an error so maybe not that. Unfortunately I haven't had time yet to read the codes again. Car seems to run fine now. Had a few redline runs last night and it still seems fine today.

Obviously codes need to be read to be sure whats going on. Hopefully tonight

 

[GPGrobler]

Chris,

Where do you get the diagnostics for these cars? I would like to be able to read the error codes on my E46 as well.

Thanks :thumbs:

 

[ChrisBrand]

Chris,

Where do you get the diagnostics for these cars? I would like to be able to read the error codes on my E46 as well.

Thanks :thumbs:

Here you go: http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=53225

 

[GPGrobler]

Thanks Chris :thumbs:

 

[Pho3niX90]

Thats very odd. Well atleast it's fine now, would love to know what caused it though?

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[LPM320]

I had the same cutting out problem with my e36 325i some years back, turned out to be the camshaft sensor....

 

[Philip Foglar]

Do these things just fail, or become intermittent?