[Kalvin__]

Hello guys, a couple days ago I posted on the forums saying how after my downpipe installation by car died on me while driving and wouldn't start after. If anyone knows how to delete that thread please let me know as I do not need it.


I took my car to BMW and they said my valvetronic motor, relay, and harness need to be replaced. Quoted me $2400. Has anyone had experience replacing this? If it's something anyone can do who knows how to wrench I'll do it myself. Any helpful information or input would be great, thanks. 2011 BMW 335i N55.

[cahme]

It sounds to me that they're not sure where the problem lies and just want to wholesale change everything. Having just been through a servo motor change, here are my comments:
- The relay is in the white box on the passenger side. There are two; the VVT relay is kinda under the other one ... pretty easy
- The harness, I assume, is from the DME to VVT motor ... very easy
- The VVT motor is a bit difficult; need to remove the VC & 1-4 injectors, then go through the procedure to replace the VVT motor

Of those, the relay is the easiest to test as you can verify the 12v at terminal 87 as well as test it with a test light to ensure it can supply the load.

[Kalvin__]

Originally Posted by cahme

It sounds to me that they're not sure where the problem lies and just want to wholesale change everything. Having just been through a servo motor change, here are my comments:
- The relay is in the white box on the passenger side. There are two; the VVT relay is kinda under the other one ... pretty easy
- The harness, I assume, is from the DME to VVT motor ... very easy
- The VVT motor is a bit difficult; need to remove the VC & 1-4 injectors, then go through the procedure to replace the VVT motor

Of those, the relay is the easiest to test as you can verify the 12v at terminal 87 as well as test it with a test light to ensure it can supply the load.

Appreciate it, thank you

[weehe126]

To add on to that, the codes you got sounded more electrical/power related. If you had a bad servomotor it would give different codes. So starting with the relay is a good idea.

[Kalvin__]

Originally Posted by weehe126

To add on to that, the codes you got sounded more electrical/power related. If you had a bad servomotor it would give different codes. So starting with the relay is a good idea.

Yeah that's what I was thinking as well, actually a while ago I had a few of the same codes and my car wouldn't start. I had already replaced the relays and battery and battery cables and the car started fine around that time it happened. Now that my car won't start I'v having a few similar codes, but BMW is saying how I need a new vvt motor, relay, and harness. I think you need special tools for this job as you need to take off the valve cover, and I think you have to re program the vvt to the dme when finished

[weehe126]

No special tools and technically no reprogramming. There is a learning run where it opens closes for 10 minutes, but you don't need to do it. I didn't and haven't had an issue since (50k miles).

[cahme]

I do have the injector removal/install tool, but did not use any other special tools.

Really, 10 min for the learn? I initiated mine from ISTA+ and it said *completed successful" in a couple seconds. It was so quick, I thought I did something wrong and did it again with the same result. It I driving fine though.

[weehe126]

The learning I know of is with the engine on and it goes min-max-min for 10+ minutes. Idk why it needs to take this long, but was the same on 3 other cars.

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by cahme

I do have the injector removal/install tool, but did not use any other special tools.

Really, 10 min for the learn? I initiated mine from ISTA+ and it said *completed successful" in a couple seconds. It was so quick, I thought I did something wrong and did it again with the same result. It I driving fine though.

The "initiation" is NOT the "learn" procedure... initiating the VVT only runs it back and fourth 1 time to ensure it's working without jamming (this literally happens every time you unlock the car). The actual valvetronic learn-in procedure takes 20minutes to complete and open/closes the valves HUNDREDS of time over and over again to "fine-tune" the valvetronic operation.

[Pladi]

Originally Posted by bbnks2

The "initiation" is NOT the "learn" procedure... initiating the VVT only runs it back and fourth 1 time to ensure it's working without jamming (this literally happens every time you unlock the car). The actual valvetronic learn-in procedure takes 20minutes to complete and open/closes the valves HUNDREDS of time over and over again to "fine-tune" the valvetronic operation.

Thats very true. I have done this process. The idle will change during the process in like a oscillating pattern.

[cahme]

Hmmm, I guess I must have run the initialization ... I definitely got a "success" message, but didn't even have the engine running, so I must have run the wrong thing. This was my first go-round with ISTA and I fumbled around a bit.

[Kalvin__]

Thanks for the tips guys! Is there anything else I should know besides the whole "programming" the vvt after replacing it? Like any certain procedures? Or is it pretty straight forward?

[weehe126]

You don't even need to do the programming. My tip would be to use both an open end wrench on the end of the eccentric shaft and a hex wrench on the actual motor to rotate the eccentric shaft to remove the stops. If you need to replace the servomotor.