[slavke]

So I got the check engine light and the code reads P1553 and after searching it says vanos salenoid. Now how sure can I be that replacing it would fix the problem and is there a possibility that its something else. Also how much am I looking at for this replacement at stealership?

Thank You

[GoRomeo]

Do u mean the "service engine soon" yellow light? mine is on and would to read codes. Where did u take it to get codes read? I ve heard from some people here that Autozone can do this but I really dont trust them working on my car...

[nate5ks]

Try to replace it yourself it is easy and there are DIYs all over the place. You can also try cleaning it first. I used sea foam to clean mine (remove them first) and it worked well.

[slavke]

its been throwing check engine light on for last 2 years and usually when its cold. After few restarts it clears up. I managed to get a code reader this time from a friend while it was still on and it threw the code mentioned above. I get few rough idles from time to time but thats about it. It would seem it is just dirty. I will check the DIY.

[slavke]

Cleaned both solenoids and swapped them, pretty easy job. My car still idles rough at random intervals and sometimes it feels like it will stall. I will wait and see if I get another check engine light in the future.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by slavke

So I got the check engine light and the code reads P1553 and after searching it says vanos salenoid. Now how sure can I be that replacing it would fix the problem and is there a possibility that its something else. Also how much am I looking at for this replacement at stealership?

Thank You

Did you use a code reader or u took it to a place to have the code read? My SES is on too and would like to read code. I am thinking to take it to a pebboys or Autozone. Ive heard they can do this....I am planning to swap/clean vanos this week afterwards.

[VSmotorsports]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Did you use a code reader or u took it to a place to have the code read? My SES is on too and would like to read code. I am thinking to take it to a pebboys or Autozone. Ive heard they can do this....I am planning to swap/clean vanos this week afterwards.

you can use pretty much any code reader on the market, just make sure they are compatible with BMWs

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by VSmotorsports

you can use pretty much any code reader on the market, just make sure they are compatible with BMWs

Thanks. I will swing by the Autozone or Pep boys and see what they can do. Most of the times they are bunch of morons and dont trust them much...

[slavke]

just want to post the update on vanos. Well my car has been acting worst since I swapped solenoids around. I usually had rough idles but now it was actually shaking and choking on cruising speeds. So i went to the stealer and bought both of them and replaced them my self. Now the car runs like a swiss watch, smooth and steady. I noticed my torque has increased drastically in higher gears and I can't believe how important this vanos system is for bmw engine. Anyways they charged me $150 for each solenoid here in Canada. I could have shopped online but the problem was driving me nuts so I just went for it.

[new0rder]

Ok, I just want to update my P1553 code trouble, always got the code come up and goes always during winter time when the weather get cold, do I decide to do the Clean up of the 2 Vanos salenoid. I didn't use MAF cleaner just some paper towel to clean it, I guess that's not good enough, so the code came back, so this weekend I will get that CRC MAF cleaner to do this. will update.....

[Fresh330]

I also had this code pop up. I cleaned them with compressed air and swapped the intake and exhaust solenoids. Still waiting to see if it throws the code again.

[new0rder]

Originally Posted by new0rder

Ok, I just want to update my P1553 code trouble, always got the code come up and goes always during winter time when the weather get cold, do I decide to do the Clean up of the 2 Vanos salenoid. I didn't use MAF cleaner just some paper towel to clean it, I guess that's not good enough, so the code came back, so this weekend I will get that CRC MAF cleaner to do this. will update.....

Update

Ok, so I went ahead and order 2 x Vanos $120 each, swap the old one out and so far for 1 week, around 300 miles no issue yet. although during the procedure I l lose one of the pin

where can I buy these? for now I just use another one I found elsewhere.

[StealYourFace]

Glad you got the problem fixed. You do know that if you are a cca member you can save 10% on purchases at the local dealer if you don't have time to shop right?