oh no... another limp mode! Wtf is a 2A99?

Scotty89 · 01-20-2015, 08:48 PM

So I got limped this morning by the n54 as I was pulling out of my driveway!!

Car was only just started, reversed down the driveway, shifted into D and was probably doing no more than 10 - 20km/h when it limped on me.

I tried reading the codes in the carpark using the JB4 dash controls and I believe I got these:

2A99 crank shaft - exhaust camshaft, correlation
3100 Air charge control, shut-down (code appears anytime Limp mode engages - not helpful in troubleshooting)
30FF Turbo charger, low pressure side (code throws anytime underboost occurs for more than 3 seconds, such as limp mode)
2DEC Power management, battery monitoring (due to my battery flattening a few days ago - has been recharged since, but could be causing issues?)

I am also pretty sure the JB4 was giving codes for
0000
0000
42A9

However these don't appear in the N54 code index, so I assume I misread the JB4 while the dashboard was doing its dance.

I have read some posts regarding the VANOS solenoids as I haven't touched them yet, but no one is mentioning the 2A99 code in that DIY - so I am not sure if it is indeed related to the VANOS solenoids.

The car has been running flawlessly for months at around 15 - 16psi. I even flogged it to redline all day at the meet last weekend, it ran like a champ and never had a problem.

My questions are:

The error appeared this morning before I had even got the car above 2500rpm, so is it even feasible that this could be really be VANOS related?
Since it does not appear to occur under a specific driving condition (never seems to appear when driving the car hard), but appears randomly in the morning almost immediately after startup - is this symptomatic of an electrical fault (sensor/wiring/anomalie?) rather than a mechanical/physical fault?

_ink · 01-20-2015, 09:01 PM

Reading your first point, I immediately thought Vanos.

Joe_L · 01-20-2015, 09:11 PM

I dont remember the error code i got, but i had the exact same symptoms as you. pulled out of driveway, cruised along slowly in D mode for a few seconds and then went into limp mode. Happened a few times before i took it to Active to get checked. Got the Vanos Solenoid changed which fixed the problem

Scotty89 · 01-20-2015, 11:42 PM

Cheers guys - If it's not too hot when I get home, I'll pull the VANOS solenoids out, clean them and swap them over. Then see if it gives the intake error code instead.

fo55il · 01-21-2015, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotty89

Cheers guys - If it's not too hot when I get home, I'll pull the VANOS solenoids out, clean them and swap them over. Then see if it gives the intake error code instead.

can u do diy pls

Socket · 01-21-2015, 05:23 AM

Get this sorted Scotty ??

Scotty89 · 01-21-2015, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socket

Get this sorted Scotty ??

Nah not yet. The car still runs like a champ 99 out of 100 times, it's just annoying that the limp mode pops up randomly occasionally.

I'm still down for Sunday if the weather permits and we have enough drivers.

I will try and do a DIY for you Fossil. I'm not good at documenting things.

cartaa100 · 01-21-2015, 08:41 AM

Bad luck! Are the VANOS solenoids an expensive fix?

lemonpark · 01-21-2015, 10:09 AM

mine hasnt gone to limp mode for ages (touch wood) and if its ever about to it'll jump to map4 before it gets a chance to go limp mode. happened once (since i fixed it) and it was when it was raining and hot and i had aircon on and i floored it through 3rd and 4th

djpro1 · 01-21-2015, 05:48 PM

i ordered my solenoids from fcp euro from the us and replaced it myself.

took me 30 minutes being very careful.

the hardest part is getting everything off to reach the solenoids. but once you know how to get to your engine bay, it's pretty easy.

just be careful not to lose the nuts that hold the solenoid in or drop it in the camshaft lol. I've heard of people losing those bolts and it's a biatch getting it out!

Asps91 · 01-22-2015, 01:58 AM

Had the same code, cleaned the vanos solenoids and swapped them. Been fine ever since. Good luck brother!

Socket · 01-22-2015, 07:03 AM

Hope its just a vanos clean and swap mate
Let us know how you go

/335 · 06-15-2016, 04:39 AM

OP still around? Did you sort this out mate? Did it end up being the Vanos solenoids? Had the same code last week as well as limp mode after driving for about 2-3 minutes in D

vtl · 06-15-2016, 05:56 AM

I've had this code sometimes on startup, one time on deceleration after a WOT logging run. Would only happen once every couple months, very frustrating

cleaned vanos solenoids didn't help, replaced the cam position sensors, same issue. Ended up replacing both vanos solenoids and hasn't come back for a few months so far.

/335 · 06-15-2016, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtl

I've had this code sometimes on startup, one time on deceleration after a WOT logging run. Would only happen once every couple months, very frustrating

cleaned vanos solenoids didn't help, replaced the cam position sensors, same issue. Ended up replacing both vanos solenoids and hasn't come back for a few months so far.

Ok so the vanos solenoids seem like a good place to start. I'll probably wait and see if it comes up again before I do anything though

CYL · 06-15-2016, 12:02 PM

I have got limp mode once, cleaned the solenoids and solved the problem.

When I cleaned the solenoids, I was wondering how the nuts can be dropped into the engine?
i took the nuts out, then pulled the solenoids out, and checked if the o ring came out as well. Unless people try to put the nuts back without the solenoid, it seems no way for the nuts to drop into the engine?

01-20-2015, 08:48 PM	#1
Scotty89 Buy a 335 they said... It'll be fun they said... 120 Rep 995 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [10.00]	oh no... another limp mode! Wtf is a 2A99? So I got limped this morning by the n54 as I was pulling out of my driveway!! Car was only just started, reversed down the driveway, shifted into D and was probably doing no more than 10 - 20km/h when it limped on me. I tried reading the codes in the carpark using the JB4 dash controls and I believe I got these: 2A99 crank shaft - exhaust camshaft, correlation 3100 Air charge control, shut-down (code appears anytime Limp mode engages - not helpful in troubleshooting) 30FF Turbo charger, low pressure side (code throws anytime underboost occurs for more than 3 seconds, such as limp mode) 2DEC Power management, battery monitoring (due to my battery flattening a few days ago - has been recharged since, but could be causing issues?) I am also pretty sure the JB4 was giving codes for 0000 0000 42A9 However these don't appear in the N54 code index, so I assume I misread the JB4 while the dashboard was doing its dance. I have read some posts regarding the VANOS solenoids as I haven't touched them yet, but no one is mentioning the 2A99 code in that DIY - so I am not sure if it is indeed related to the VANOS solenoids. The car has been running flawlessly for months at around 15 - 16psi. I even flogged it to redline all day at the meet last weekend, it ran like a champ and never had a problem. My questions are: The error appeared this morning before I had even got the car above 2500rpm, so is it even feasible that this could be really be VANOS related? Since it does not appear to occur under a specific driving condition (never seems to appear when driving the car hard), but appears randomly in the morning almost immediately after startup - is this symptomatic of an electrical fault (sensor/wiring/anomalie?) rather than a mechanical/physical fault? Last edited by Scotty89; 01-20-2015 at 08:57 PM..
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01-20-2015, 09:01 PM	#2
_ink Jedi samurai ninja turtle 644 Rep 3,021 Posts Drives: X3 M40i 2018 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 X3 M40i [0.00]	Reading your first point, I immediately thought Vanos.
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01-20-2015, 09:11 PM	#3
Joe_L Private 22 Rep 69 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i E92 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	I dont remember the error code i got, but i had the exact same symptoms as you. pulled out of driveway, cruised along slowly in D mode for a few seconds and then went into limp mode. Happened a few times before i took it to Active to get checked. Got the Vanos Solenoid changed which fixed the problem
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01-20-2015, 11:42 PM	#4
Scotty89 Buy a 335 they said... It'll be fun they said... 120 Rep 995 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [10.00]	Cheers guys - If it's not too hot when I get home, I'll pull the VANOS solenoids out, clean them and swap them over. Then see if it gives the intake error code instead.
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01-21-2015, 05:23 AM	#6
Socket Lieutenant General 4775 Rep 11,971 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Australia iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW E92 [0.00]	Get this sorted Scotty ??
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01-21-2015, 08:41 AM	#8
cartaa100 Captain 38 Rep 842 Posts Drives: 335i, 640i, X6M50d, X3M40i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Bad luck! Are the VANOS solenoids an expensive fix?
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01-21-2015, 10:09 AM	#9
lemonpark Captain 61 Rep 610 Posts Drives: '08 335i E92 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	mine hasnt gone to limp mode for ages (touch wood) and if its ever about to it'll jump to map4 before it gets a chance to go limp mode. happened once (since i fixed it) and it was when it was raining and hot and i had aircon on and i floored it through 3rd and 4th __________________ JB4 G5 ISO \| BMS Backend Flash \| Alpina B3 TCU Flash \| AR Design Catless DP \| BMS DCI \| ER CP \| Turbosmart Race Port BOV \| Muffler Delete \| H&R Sport Springs \| BMS Cowl \| BMW Performance Alcantara Wheel \| M3 DCT Paddles \| Muse Concept and Design Interior \| 19" GTC-CX \| M3 Lip Spoiler \| Zieg CF Rear Diffuser \| Flow Designs Front Lip \| Black Grill \| RGB LED Angel Eyes \| 8000K HID \|
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01-21-2015, 05:48 PM	#10
djpro1 Private First Class 14 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 08 E93 335i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Sydney, Pymble iTrader: (0)	i ordered my solenoids from fcp euro from the us and replaced it myself. took me 30 minutes being very careful. the hardest part is getting everything off to reach the solenoids. but once you know how to get to your engine bay, it's pretty easy. just be careful not to lose the nuts that hold the solenoid in or drop it in the camshaft lol. I've heard of people losing those bolts and it's a biatch getting it out!
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01-22-2015, 01:58 AM	#11
Asps91 First Lieutenant 43 Rep 364 Posts Drives: Bmw 335i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Had the same code, cleaned the vanos solenoids and swapped them. Been fine ever since. Good luck brother!
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01-22-2015, 07:03 AM	#12
Socket Lieutenant General 4775 Rep 11,971 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Australia iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW E92 [0.00]	Hope its just a vanos clean and swap mate Let us know how you go
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06-15-2016, 04:39 AM	#13
/335 Private First Class 31 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW e92 335i Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	OP still around? Did you sort this out mate? Did it end up being the Vanos solenoids? Had the same code last week as well as limp mode after driving for about 2-3 minutes in D
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06-15-2016, 05:56 AM	#14
vtl Brigadier General 1514 Rep 3,148 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i MT Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	I've had this code sometimes on startup, one time on deceleration after a WOT logging run. Would only happen once every couple months, very frustrating cleaned vanos solenoids didn't help, replaced the cam position sensors, same issue. Ended up replacing both vanos solenoids and hasn't come back for a few months so far.
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06-15-2016, 12:02 PM	#16
CYL Major 148 Rep 1,381 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	I have got limp mode once, cleaned the solenoids and solved the problem. When I cleaned the solenoids, I was wondering how the nuts can be dropped into the engine? i took the nuts out, then pulled the solenoids out, and checked if the o ring came out as well. Unless people try to put the nuts back without the solenoid, it seems no way for the nuts to drop into the engine?
	Appreciate 0 Quote