SES Light Intermittent - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

rsimhamb · 24th January 2006, 19:57

Hi Folks,

I have seen the SES light come on intermittently since Sunday this week. The car coughed/sputtered only once since that time and has been driving normally since.

I had the car scanned for faults by the folks at the Driving Machine in Cupertino. Here is a list of what they came up with:

ENGINE FAULTS
---------------
8 inlet camshaft sensor, bank 2, signal
134 instrument cluster, CAN time-out
113 Inlet VANOS, bank 2, function
184 Inlet VANOS, bank 1, function
179 Catalytic converter, conversion, bank 2

WHAT DO I DO TO ADDRESS THE ABOVE FAULTS? IS A TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP THE ANSWER?

LIGHT FAULTS
--------------

Wire Dimmer to Potentiometer
Turn signal flasher, front right, faulty
Turn signal flasher, front left, faulty
Right fog lamp faulty
Left fog lamp faulty
Rear left fog light faulty
Rear right fog light faulty
Right reversing light faulty

ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE WORKING WITHOUT FAULT AND AS EXPECTED

Fyi - the SES light is currently off.

Thanks,

Ravi

ard · 24th January 2006, 21:07

I'm not going to be much help, but I will caution you: sometimes a bad camshaft position sensor can cause VANOS errors. Also, you can get 'bad cat' errors due to other camshaft/fue/air discrepancies... It looks like your codes are generic OBD codes, not BMW specific. If indeed the CPS is bad, replace that and reset. It certainly is the cheapest...if you then get vanos probelms...well..sorry.

I'd say a very good indy, or dealer, is the way to go- make sure you get the print outs of any disagnostics they run, and demand that they explain what and why they are recommending what they propose.

(I had a bad CPS with vanos errors- the vanos errors were due to faulty signals from the cps. SES would come on and off, when it was on car drove like carp.)

The other errors may be a bad ground wire or sensor somewhere. Having a schematic and someone well versed in the wiring might help pinpoint it...

Mth_degree · 24th January 2006, 21:49

Yep, sounds like it could be the cam position sensor. Either replace it and see what happens, or clear all the codes and swap the inlet cam sensors over and see if it throws a code on the opposite bank.

As for the lights - it sounds like a fault with the LCM - probably just a momentary glitch. Im not sure what could have caused the CAN timeout fault either - maybe a temporary fault in a certain module giving an invalid bus signal?

Either way I would suggest you investigate the cam position sensor, then reset all the codes and see which ones come back.

rsimhamb · 24th January 2006, 21:52

Thanks Guys!

Is the CAM sensor something I can replace myself, or will require a qualified technician?

Regards,

Ravi

Mth_degree · 24th January 2006, 22:01

Fairly easy diy. Lots of info here :

TECH: Replacing intake Camshaft Position Sensor...

BTW that thread refers to the bank 1 sensor, but your fault seems to be on bank 2 (opposite side of engine, but with similar procedure). There are 2 similar sensors on each head - the one highest up and nearest the centre of the engine is the intake one which you are interested in.

rsimhamb · 24th January 2006, 22:16

Thanks - I will lookm into replacing the sensor asap.

Regards,

Ravi

sick nick · 24th January 2006, 22:29

ive just gone through the same deal its the exhaust cam sensor 5-8 driver side. easy to replace need a 5mm allen wrench, do it from under the car.if u where smart u would just replace both sides and get it over with. 1 goes the other is not far behind. u fix 1 problem a lot other codes clear up.

rsimhamb · 3rd February 2006, 04:04

OK Folks - took the beast to the dealership today. The diagnosis is that the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. I'll have the car back on monday as the delaer has to wait for the part. The repair is entirely covered by CPO. Thank heavens.

Cheers,
Ravi

ard · 3rd February 2006, 04:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsimhamb

OK Folks - took the beast to the dealership today. The diagnosis is that the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. I'll have the car back on monday as the delaer has to wait for the part. The repair is entirely covered by CPO. Thank heavens.

Cheers,
Ravi

I have significant doubts.... but at least you get free new cats.

A

Anzir · 3rd February 2006, 04:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsimhamb

OK Folks - took the beast to the dealership today. The diagnosis is that the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. I'll have the car back on monday as the delaer has to wait for the part. The repair is entirely covered by CPO. Thank heavens.

Cheers,
Ravi

Something tells me your camshaft position sensors should also be switched out as well.. but it's never a bad thing to get free cats!!