SAS Error finally fixed and new VANOS solenoids this weekend!

Testercles · 02-03-2017, 07:40 PM

So I've been having the SAS Error issues for over a year now, not wanting to drop money on a new sensor.
My independent (non bmw) mechanic said he'd cleaned it during a service but I went to a bmw specific independent last week who knew all about the issues and actually uses a Dremel with cut & polish to renew the SZL.
I honestly can't believe that my car is fixed now. I can use cruise, it doesn't yell when I start it. It's a whole new world.

That said, instead of dropping $600+ for a new SZL, I discovered that there is a genuine service kit that exists for just over $100+ that includes a new optical disc and IR sensor. Image with part number attached. It's item 6 in your realoem steering wheel section.

Now all that's left to get the car 100% is to change the VANOS solenoids myself this weekend. I figured it would just be an hour of my time looking at DIYs but I was wondering if anyone had any extra pro tips for the removal of the cowl and engine cover?

side note: when the mechanic called to tell me that the issue was all fixed (and the sensor was FILTHY) he asked if I'd done anything to the engine? I didn't have a good feeling about that comment and told him I just got new plugs and coils but he was more angling that he thought I had a JB4 or something cause it runs so smooth and powerful compared to others that have come in. WIN.
MHD and BMWhat are in the plan once all the reliability reconditioning has been done as I'm 100% stock atm

Testercles · 02-05-2017, 08:58 AM

All fitted and running well.
My daily commute isn't long enough to have triggered the CEL (normally 30-45 mins for me on the old solenoids). I'll have to go for a good drive on my RDO or the weekend to see if it's 100% fixed.

aaron_ · 02-06-2017, 03:32 PM

Great to hear

Testercles · 02-10-2017, 11:23 PM

Almost a week on and everything is going well so far. Fingers crossed we have a fix for only $65!

Testercles · 02-10-2017, 11:25 PM

It made me want to do something about the cowl, after dealing with all of that the M3 cowl swap looks mighty inviting. I'll have to do a bit of searching for the threads about it.

Socket · 02-13-2017, 02:35 AM

Vince (Vtl) can help out with the parts list you need for the M3 cowl

markv123 · 03-08-2017, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Testercles

Almost a week on and everything is going well so far. Fingers crossed we have a fix for only $65!

I may have missed a few things but what issues were you having that was fixed for $65?
Would like to know for future reference =)

Testercles · 03-08-2017, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markv123

Quote:

Originally Posted by Testercles

Almost a week on and everything is going well so far. Fingers crossed we have a fix for only $65!

I may have missed a few things but what issues were you having that was fixed for $65?
Would like to know for future reference =)

VANOS solenoids throwing a CEL after about 30-45 Minutes of driving.

Went for a massive drive yesterday and everything is definitely fixed now CEL wise for the cost of $65 for eBay sensors.
No need to drop hundreds at a stealership or online.

markv123 · 03-09-2017, 12:53 AM

Can't argue with that! Excellent result!
You had a screenshot of the solenoid and where you bought it from before.
Could you post it back up please
Thanks

CYL · 03-09-2017, 01:20 AM

VANOS for $65 only?
I saw a couple of them on eBay but people are saying best to get the genuine BMW parts for that sensor.
However, genuine ones are like $300 each.

Testercles · 03-09-2017, 01:23 AM

Why waste your money? It's just a sensor. These are AU$65 delivered and have a three year warranty (for the original purchaser).

Testercles · 03-09-2017, 01:26 AM

Seller was service_vehicle_soon

TIRA · 03-09-2017, 02:31 AM

Worth doing for preventive maintenance?

Testercles · 03-09-2017, 02:40 AM

I'm not sure if they had been replaced before but I've had it since 130 k km and now have 193 k km. The issue only really came up I think around 180 k km. So for $65 I personally wouldn't bother.

Testercles · 03-09-2017, 02:42 AM

Old and busted vs the new hotness A

Testercles · 03-09-2017, 02:44 AM

B

On visual inspection there doesn't seem to be any indication of if they're bad or not. Code wise I believe only one may have caused an error but for the price might as well change both.

CYL · 03-09-2017, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Testercles

I'm not sure if they had been replaced before but I've had it since 130 k km and now have 193 k km. The issue only really came up I think around 180 k km. So for $65 I personally wouldn't bother.

193k driven?
Wonder what's the highest mileage we have got here on the forum.

Testercles · 03-09-2017, 02:54 AM

Absolutely. Keen for 200 soon.

Service at 200 with have a walnut blast. Plugs and coils have just been done.
All bone stock atm. With the kms on it I'm focussing on mechanical updates and reconditioning before mods.

TIRA · 03-09-2017, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Testercles

Absolutely. Keen for 200 soon.

Service at 200 with have a walnut blast. Plugs and coils have just been done.
All bone stock atm. With the kms on it I'm focussing on mechanical updates and reconditioning before mods.

That's what I'm doing at the moment, all preventive maintenance.

But Im on 115k

Testercles · 03-09-2017, 04:46 AM

Mechanically I'm going to have it in better condition at 200 than it was at 135 lol.

Hoper · 03-09-2017, 03:06 PM

Nice one Testercles, FWIW I used non genuine vanos sensors and it fixed my CEL as well, no issues since

markv123 · 03-09-2017, 07:12 PM

Cheers for that
If I ever get the Vanos code, will definitely try this out
Thanks again!

02-03-2017, 07:40 PM	#1
Testercles First Lieutenant 11 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335iA Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Adelaide iTrader: (0)	So I've been having the SAS Error issues for over a year now, not wanting to drop money on a new sensor. My independent (non bmw) mechanic said he'd cleaned it during a service but I went to a bmw specific independent last week who knew all about the issues and actually uses a Dremel with cut & polish to renew the SZL. I honestly can't believe that my car is fixed now. I can use cruise, it doesn't yell when I start it. It's a whole new world. That said, instead of dropping $600+ for a new SZL, I discovered that there is a genuine service kit that exists for just over $100+ that includes a new optical disc and IR sensor. Image with part number attached. It's item 6 in your realoem steering wheel section. Now all that's left to get the car 100% is to change the VANOS solenoids myself this weekend. I figured it would just be an hour of my time looking at DIYs but I was wondering if anyone had any extra pro tips for the removal of the cowl and engine cover? side note: when the mechanic called to tell me that the issue was all fixed (and the sensor was FILTHY) he asked if I'd done anything to the engine? I didn't have a good feeling about that comment and told him I just got new plugs and coils but he was more angling that he thought I had a JB4 or something cause it runs so smooth and powerful compared to others that have come in. WIN. MHD and BMWhat are in the plan once all the reliability reconditioning has been done as I'm 100% stock atm Attached Images __________________ Current: 2008 E90 335iA Sparkling Graphite Metallic Past: 2009 E90 LCI 323iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 2005 E46 325iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 1992 E34 535iA Glacier Blue BMW Driver's Club of South Australia member
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02-05-2017, 08:58 AM	#2
Testercles First Lieutenant 11 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335iA Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Adelaide iTrader: (0)	All fitted and running well. My daily commute isn't long enough to have triggered the CEL (normally 30-45 mins for me on the old solenoids). I'll have to go for a good drive on my RDO or the weekend to see if it's 100% fixed. __________________ Current: 2008 E90 335iA Sparkling Graphite Metallic Past: 2009 E90 LCI 323iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 2005 E46 325iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 1992 E34 535iA Glacier Blue BMW Driver's Club of South Australia member
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02-06-2017, 03:32 PM	#3
aaron_ Captain 95 Rep 671 Posts Drives: E93 335i LCI Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Great to hear
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02-10-2017, 11:23 PM	#4
Testercles First Lieutenant 11 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335iA Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Adelaide iTrader: (0)	Almost a week on and everything is going well so far. Fingers crossed we have a fix for only $65! __________________ Current: 2008 E90 335iA Sparkling Graphite Metallic Past: 2009 E90 LCI 323iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 2005 E46 325iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 1992 E34 535iA Glacier Blue BMW Driver's Club of South Australia member
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02-10-2017, 11:25 PM	#5
Testercles First Lieutenant 11 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335iA Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Adelaide iTrader: (0)	It made me want to do something about the cowl, after dealing with all of that the M3 cowl swap looks mighty inviting. I'll have to do a bit of searching for the threads about it. __________________ Current: 2008 E90 335iA Sparkling Graphite Metallic Past: 2009 E90 LCI 323iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 2005 E46 325iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 1992 E34 535iA Glacier Blue BMW Driver's Club of South Australia member
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02-13-2017, 02:35 AM	#6
Socket Lieutenant General 4691 Rep 11,960 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Australia iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW E92 [0.00]	Vince (Vtl) can help out with the parts list you need for the M3 cowl
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03-09-2017, 12:53 AM	#9
markv123 Private First Class 48 Rep 139 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Can't argue with that! Excellent result! You had a screenshot of the solenoid and where you bought it from before. Could you post it back up please Thanks
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03-09-2017, 01:20 AM	#10
CYL Major 140 Rep 1,381 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	VANOS for $65 only? I saw a couple of them on eBay but people are saying best to get the genuine BMW parts for that sensor. However, genuine ones are like $300 each.
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03-09-2017, 01:23 AM	#11
Testercles First Lieutenant 11 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335iA Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Adelaide iTrader: (0)	Why waste your money? It's just a sensor. These are AU$65 delivered and have a three year warranty (for the original purchaser). Attached Images __________________ Current: 2008 E90 335iA Sparkling Graphite Metallic Past: 2009 E90 LCI 323iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 2005 E46 325iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 1992 E34 535iA Glacier Blue BMW Driver's Club of South Australia member
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03-09-2017, 01:26 AM	#12
Testercles First Lieutenant 11 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335iA Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Adelaide iTrader: (0)	Seller was service_vehicle_soon __________________ Current: 2008 E90 335iA Sparkling Graphite Metallic Past: 2009 E90 LCI 323iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 2005 E46 325iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 1992 E34 535iA Glacier Blue BMW Driver's Club of South Australia member
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03-09-2017, 02:31 AM	#13
TIRA tirabytes.com 15 Rep 105 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E90 335i [0.00]	Worth doing for preventive maintenance? __________________
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03-09-2017, 02:40 AM	#14
Testercles First Lieutenant 11 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335iA Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Adelaide iTrader: (0)	I'm not sure if they had been replaced before but I've had it since 130 k km and now have 193 k km. The issue only really came up I think around 180 k km. So for $65 I personally wouldn't bother. __________________ Current: 2008 E90 335iA Sparkling Graphite Metallic Past: 2009 E90 LCI 323iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 2005 E46 325iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 1992 E34 535iA Glacier Blue BMW Driver's Club of South Australia member
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03-09-2017, 02:42 AM	#15
Testercles First Lieutenant 11 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335iA Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Adelaide iTrader: (0)	Old and busted vs the new hotness A Attached Images __________________ Current: 2008 E90 335iA Sparkling Graphite Metallic Past: 2009 E90 LCI 323iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 2005 E46 325iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 1992 E34 535iA Glacier Blue BMW Driver's Club of South Australia member
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03-09-2017, 02:44 AM	#16
Testercles First Lieutenant 11 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335iA Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Adelaide iTrader: (0)	B On visual inspection there doesn't seem to be any indication of if they're bad or not. Code wise I believe only one may have caused an error but for the price might as well change both. Attached Images __________________ Current: 2008 E90 335iA Sparkling Graphite Metallic Past: 2009 E90 LCI 323iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 2005 E46 325iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 1992 E34 535iA Glacier Blue BMW Driver's Club of South Australia member
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03-09-2017, 02:54 AM	#18
Testercles First Lieutenant 11 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335iA Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Adelaide iTrader: (0)	Absolutely. Keen for 200 soon. Service at 200 with have a walnut blast. Plugs and coils have just been done. All bone stock atm. With the kms on it I'm focussing on mechanical updates and reconditioning before mods. __________________ Current: 2008 E90 335iA Sparkling Graphite Metallic Past: 2009 E90 LCI 323iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 2005 E46 325iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 1992 E34 535iA Glacier Blue BMW Driver's Club of South Australia member
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03-09-2017, 04:46 AM	#20
Testercles First Lieutenant 11 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335iA Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Adelaide iTrader: (0)	Mechanically I'm going to have it in better condition at 200 than it was at 135 lol. __________________ Current: 2008 E90 335iA Sparkling Graphite Metallic Past: 2009 E90 LCI 323iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 2005 E46 325iA Black Sapphire Metallic, 1992 E34 535iA Glacier Blue BMW Driver's Club of South Australia member
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03-09-2017, 03:06 PM	#21
Hoper Captain 184 Rep 687 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Canberra Australia iTrader: (0)	Nice one Testercles, FWIW I used non genuine vanos sensors and it fixed my CEL as well, no issues since
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03-09-2017, 07:12 PM	#22
markv123 Private First Class 48 Rep 139 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Cheers for that If I ever get the Vanos code, will definitely try this out Thanks again!
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