[Nolan2221]

I have a 2011 m335i E93 (N55)

So 2 weeks ago I was driving and all the sudden I got the "reduced power - engine malfunction" error. I suspected my valvetronic motor as the issue due to the codes it was showing. I have it tuned on MHD stage 1. So I took it to the mechanic and he replaced the valvetronic motor and related bearings, as well as the valve cover. He also reset the DME to factory. He did mention that the needle bearing were cracked. And that it should have fixed the issue. However upon completion it is still throwing the same codes and remains in limp mode / reduced power. My mechanic has no idea why it is still throwing the codes as the car runs good mechanically. So I went back into the shop and reflashed the DME to see if that would fix the problem. Sure enough, right as the car starts up it starts to idle rough and remains in reduced power mode. After flashing stage 1 on MHD I went ahead and flashed the stage 0 map (stock map) to see if that would change anything. Still nothing. I am completely stumped. Please help. Could it be my intake vanos solenoids?

Below are the codes it threw on MHD after I reflashed the car to stage 0. And below that are the codes it threw prior to taking it into the shop.

[drwillb]

You will need ISTA or one of the other DME connection programs to reset your Valvetronic.

[Nolan2221]

Originally Posted by drwillb

You will need ISTA or one of the other DME connection programs to reset your Valvetronic.

Unfortunately the mechanic already tried that. I'm thinking it's my vanos solenoids. Idk. Unless he just installed it wrong.

[Evilchef71]

I had vanos problems and drove my mechanic insane trying to diagnose until I flashed back to map 0. I paid a ton of money to fix my car and now I'm scared as shit to flash MHD maps back to my car!!!

[Evilchef71]

He said it went to 100 percent duty cycle or something and couldn't get it to run right until I went back to stock. Bummer

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by Nolan2221

Unfortunately the mechanic already tried that. I'm thinking it's my vanos solenoids. Idk. Unless he just installed it wrong.

Those codes are Valvetronic. Sounds like mechanic missed something. No clue why you would reprogram your DME... but, DME does sometimes fail when valvetronic motor burns out. I feel like hat situation presents with a DME fault too though...

Again, sounds like the mechanic missed something. Take the valve cover off and see if you can use an allen key to rotate valvetronic to min/max lift freely. Leave it in the "max" position and then leave it unplugged if you keep having issues. That will keep the car driveable until you get it fixed properly.

[drwillb]

Originally Posted by drwillb

You will need ISTA or one of the other DME connection programs to reset your Valvetronic.

this isn't the same as reflashing with MHD. Once the valvetronic goes bad the DME basically locks out the system. You have to reset the valvetronic with ISTA and do a break in procedure for the new parts (they assume you have replace the eccentric shaft, not just the bearings).

I did all this on my own this past January and it works.