[CameroN7887]

Originally Posted by gbalthrop

Several observations:
1) Bentley definition of 2A38: "P1030 | 2A38 | VVT Control Motor Position Control Deviation (Bank1)." Since the P-code begins with "P1" (as opposed to P0 or P2) that means it is a "BMW-specific" or "manufacturer-specific" code, and I would ONLY trust INPA, ISTA, or other reliable source for the definition. You are likely to just go in circles chasing the code on the idea that "It has SOMETHING to do with Valvetronic"
Did you get the definition you quote with ISTA or is that definition from some other souce, either online or some Non-BMW-Specific scan tool?

2) If the SES light came on when the 2A38 code was saved in DME Memory, you cleared the code, and it has NEVER returned, then I would not be terribly concerned about it. BEFORE you cleared that code, did you check to see if 2A38 is supposed to light a warning lamp, and if it was still present? If ISTA does NOT give you that information, INPA does, and you might try that in the future.

3) If BMW possibly put out a Service Bulletin on the issue (?), and since it is an N51 SULEV (perhaps still under SULEV warranty), I would check with a Dealer or two in your area and see if there is any prescribed software update. If NOT, I would just routinely check for any codes every 3 to 6 months (which is good practice anyway), and NOT waste time/money chasing a transient & perhaps one-time software hiccup.

4) Oh, and try just starting the engine every 5 or 10 minutes to run the Defrost/Climate Control.

George

1) The definition I quote is from the ISTA software I have on my laptop and received from when the car did have the check engine light, I also used the CarlyforBMW app as well and got round about the same definition just less descriptive than what ISTA gave me, CarlyforBMW said it was 'sluggish, binding or open circuit' and then ISTA gave me round about the same thing just can't remember the exact description unfortunately. (I'd like to know where you got this Bentley manual, seems like it would be a lot easier to diagnose codes with a book or PDF describing them!)

2) I never had a check engine light before that, and when I hooked up ISTA to the car and ran the tests i had that 2A38 code for the valvetronic issue from the night before then another code for an AUC Sensor having to do with the automatic air quality detection, which kept coming back, but once I cleared the 2A38 code it hasn't came back and I've never had a CEL since then, it's been about ~2 months since then (knock on wood). It has felt like it has lost its oomph like the valvetronic isn't operating correctly, I get an occasional rough idle but I know that's a common thing with the N51, but I have very limited knowledge of the whole valvetronic system, WOT runs still go fine with maybe the exception of slower shifts but it'll still run through the gears easily.

3) Yeah I'm not sure if that was a bulletin from BMW or what but it seemed more like something from a manual with the proper diagnoses and how to fix the error code. When I went to an Indy shop to diagnose the problem they said my car needed an update and and to relearn the valvetronic limit positions (which I did successfully on ISTA to no avail), so I figured the update wouldn't do much so I didn't have him do it, but you think it would be worth it to have him update it and relearn the limit positions? He wanted something like $150 for the whole thing. I'm hoping it was a one time issue, it's been bothering me I've never been able to find a solution.

4) I barely let it idle any longer then it needs to now, sometimes I even consider killing the engine waiting in line for some drive-through places

I appreciate the detailed response greatly!! Love these forums for all the dedicated people that share the BMW love