confusing obd2 codes

[Die_Miek]

e46 318 FL

my car's been giving some problems, slight misfire at idle, and the most annoying one is where the car would lose power whilst accelerating. it would pull smooth to say 2500/3000 rpm and then suddenly have a flat spot.

i read the codes and 3 came up.

P1100 MAF Sensor Intermittent/ Check of all OBDII Systems Not Complete
P0139 02 Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
P0012 A Camshaft Position - Timing Over - Retarded (Bank 1)

cleared them and the first one to come up was the P1100, than the P0139 and the P0012 would show as a pending code, and eventually go away or register as a code.

i then took the car to the dealer to have it fixed through SA warrenties. they read the codes and also saw the above 3.

however after they cleared the codes, the 1st one that came up were the O2 sensor one.

so now i'm confused. which of those 3 components is the culprit?

i realise that all 3 might need to be replaced, and i'm not a millionaire, so if all 3 is mulfunctioning which one do i replace first??

thanks in advance

 

[moranor@axis]

random codes like this normally mean a vacuum leak... if its not that then im betting it the Camshaft Position sensor...

 

[ekseniks]

My E36 328i is doing the exact same, I just chalked it up to bad fuel for the slight misfire and the clutch slipping when I floor it.

Where can I get the codes read just to make sure nothing is wrong?

The Camshaft Position sensor was replaced not too long ago by Zeemax but I have had a decat done since them (if that makes any difference)

 

[Die_Miek]

zeemax should have the equipment to read your codes

 

[Rbhaimia]

Thanks guys really appreciate the advice

 

[Die_Miek]

random codes like this normally mean a vacuum leak... if its not that then im betting it the Camshaft Position sensor...

Im now more confused than before.

i decided to purchase the cam position sensor, fitted it Friday and took the car for a 5km drive.

car had the same symptoms and when i checked the codes the p0012 and p1000 codes were there again. the codes were cleared before i took the drive.

i searched for a vacuum leak but didn't find one.

 

[rick540]

I'm going with the MAF

 

[moranor@axis]

:fencelook: i would rather not say any more this could get expensive... is there not someone on the forum you could swap with to see what works?

 

[Die_Miek]

i doubt there's anyone nearby, i stay on a "farm". however, there's someone i know with the same car, but he's so touchy about his beloved bmw.

i suppose I'll just have to ask, if i don't want to spend on something that might not necessarily solve the problem.

my other option is to drive it down a cliff, after i get out of the car first.:rollsmile:

 

[moranor@axis]

this sux... have you tried cleaning the maf? if you sure you have no vacuum leaks i would look at maf next...

 

[Die_Miek]

I've cleaned it a while back but i suppose it wouldn't hurt to clean it again.

could it be the solenoid valve?

 

[moranor@axis]

i dont know about the the solenoid valve... clean the maf if you on dirt roads you will probably need to clean it more than others...

 

[Die_Miek]

cleaned the maf yesterday, it drove better for a while.

I'm going with the MAF

theoretically, how can a maf cause a cam to be over retarded?

 

[Die_Miek]

at least the car is idling better. don't know whether it's the cleaned maf or the new cam sensor.

 

[Rapido WP]

If you have highish mileage it could be your PCV valve (positive crankshaft ventilation) that needs replacing. Three of our E46's all had to have them replaced - similar symptoms

 

[Die_Miek]

thanks km's at 146000km

 

[Die_Miek]

just made EFT for pcv/ccv/oil separator, hopefully that will solve the problem.

if not, car has started to use oil, and a whilstling sound when i switch the car off, read it's the pcv on its way out, so it's still good preventative maintenance.

another thing i also noticed is, the car is more problematic when the fuel level is below 1/4 tank.

will update after pcv/ccv/oil separator fitted.

 

[Die_Miek]

dropped car at mech today, doing the valve cover gasket and ccv/pcv/oil separator.

 

[Die_Miek]

ccv replaced, same problems:argh:

 

[moranor@axis]

just start replacing all the intake tubes... it took me forever to find the one that was leaking on my car... they dont last long anyway so it wont be wasting money because you will need to do them some time... also way cheaper than sensors...

if this does not work then i guess you need to look at sensors :yuck: