Vanos problems with cobb code p3100

cleex024 · 02-07-2012, 07:49 PM

Hey guys I remember seeing a couple posts about these damn vanos codes being thrown and just wanted to know if anyone has figured it out yet.

Nothing seems to be wrong with the car...everything seems to be running fine just the codes are being thrown...p3100 and p2A something.

Either way wanted to know if this problem has been resolved and if it really is a threat to my car.

cleex024 · 02-07-2012, 08:00 PM

it was p2a87...vanos plausibility. do i need to change vanos solenoids?

loweredram · 02-07-2012, 08:19 PM

I've never tried it but have read on the forum people pulling and cleaning them might work

marv85 · 02-07-2012, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleex024

it was p2a87...vanos plausibility. do i need to change vanos solenoids?

I had this code along with limps even when the car was stock. changed the Vanos solenoids, and the problem disappeared.

cleex024 · 02-07-2012, 08:52 PM

hmmm i might try to take them out and clean them...i dont understand how these go bad

they dont get build up on them and its metal...and its not like they are electrical or anything

its just a piece of metal with holes in it lol.

marv85 · 02-07-2012, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleex024

hmmm i might try to take them out and clean them...i dont understand how these go bad

they dont get build up on them and its metal...and its not like they are electrical or anything

its just a piece of metal with holes in it lol.

Oil flows in 'em, give it a shot

cleex024 · 02-08-2012, 02:32 AM

alright guys...so i went ahead and cleaned out my solenoids with brake cleaner...wiped everything down and reinstalled switching the bottom with the top.

conclusion is the car WOTS much better...i thought maybe it was placebo effect but it was not. i was looking for the car to run smoother as everyone said but while looking for the smoothness the car just pulled and pulled.

i will give an update tomorrow after driving somemore in the daytime when the air is a little warmer.

Adem_ · 02-08-2012, 08:18 AM

2a87 is outlet-vanos jammed mechanically

I have the same fault. We replaced the solenoid and the cam sensor but the fault is still there.
Friday we will replace the vanos adjustment unit.

cleex024 · 02-08-2012, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adem_

2a87 is outlet-vanos jammed mechanically

I have the same fault. We replaced the solenoid and the cam sensor but the fault is still there.
Friday we will replace the vanos adjustment unit.

hmmm now thats interesting...hope the code does not come back on.

marv85 · 02-08-2012, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adem_

2a87 is outlet-vanos jammed mechanically

I have the same fault. We replaced the solenoid and the cam sensor but the fault is still there.
Friday we will replace the vanos adjustment unit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleex024

hmmm now thats interesting...hope the code does not come back on.

Yup, sometimes changing the solenoid doesn't cut it. According to the TSB the next thing to do is change the Vanos adjustment unit.
hopefully that will solve your problem Adem

cleex024 · 02-08-2012, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marv85

Yup, sometimes changing the solenoid doesn't cut it. According to the TSB the next thing to do is change the Vanos adjustment unit.
hopefully that will solve your problem Adem

lets just hope most of us dont get this problem lol. sorry for the luck adem.

Robert@vishnu · 02-08-2012, 12:20 PM

clean them first and if you are still getting the codes then you should replace them. If you have more then 45~50k miles on the car this is not uncommon.

woptang22 · 04-15-2012, 05:54 PM

I just got the half engine light and the P2A87 and P3100 codes . Is this something serious or not so expensive to fix? I know the P2A87 said vanos plausibility, I dont know what that means. And the P3100 had no description at all. Any help would be appreciated.

woptang22 · 04-15-2012, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marv85

I had this code along with limps even when the car was stock. changed the Vanos solenoids, and the problem disappeared.

Marwan, are VANOS solenoids an expensive fix? Ive just got these codes and not sure what to make of it. Or how much it would cost to repair.

messi · 05-09-2012, 02:19 PM

Got these same codes this weekend...

cleex024 · 05-09-2012, 03:14 PM

well the whole vanos thing seems to have gone away since ive cleaned them...its really easy to do and all i did was pull them out and clean them out with brake cleaner.

messi · 05-09-2012, 06:08 PM

Gonna order mine today. Got half check engine light this weekend at wot. Same two codes. I think someone explained in another thread that the p3100 is an associated code that will really come as a result of the vanos code.

Alpina_B3_Lux · 05-10-2012, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by messi

Gonna order mine today. Got half check engine light this weekend at wot. Same two codes. I think someone explained in another thread that the p3100 is an associated code that will really come as a result of the vanos code.

Yes, 3100 just means that there's a problem with the boost target.

I had the same problem when switching to COBB's stage 3 map, and replacing the vanos solenoids solved the issue.

Alpina_B3_Lux

enrita · 05-10-2012, 06:48 AM

3100 is actually just the limp mode which shuts down the turbos to limit power, therefore the half engine light . Is always present with another code that actually caused it.

messi · 05-10-2012, 07:13 AM

Good info here as always. Will update when I get my part

EJ_3 · 07-20-2012, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by messi

Good info here as always. Will update when I get my part

Still no update?

King mode · 07-21-2012, 03:13 PM

I had the vanos code come up then had both solenoids replaced. Code popped up again and now I'm having the cam bearing ledge job done. 5 days left on factory warranty.

02-07-2012, 07:49 PM	#1
cleex024 Lieutenant Colonel 107 Rep 1,529 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Woodbridge iTrader: (2)	Vanos problems with cobb code p3100 Hey guys I remember seeing a couple posts about these damn vanos codes being thrown and just wanted to know if anyone has figured it out yet. Nothing seems to be wrong with the car...everything seems to be running fine just the codes are being thrown...p3100 and p2A something. Either way wanted to know if this problem has been resolved and if it really is a threat to my car. __________________ Space Gray l 6MT l OSG LSD w/ VAC Race Diff Cover l Cobb e30 l Morr vs8.2 l UUC SSK w/ DSSR l VSRF Catless Dps l RPI Intercooler l CDV Removed l HID AE 8000k l ETS Catback l AST 5200 w/ Vorshlag Camber Plates l ER Dual Oil Coolers l Rear Camber and Toe Arms l K&N Drop In l Solid Tranny/Diff/Subframe Bushings l Bridgestone RE-11
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-07-2012, 08:00 PM	#2
cleex024 Lieutenant Colonel 107 Rep 1,529 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Woodbridge iTrader: (2)	it was p2a87...vanos plausibility. do i need to change vanos solenoids? __________________ Space Gray l 6MT l OSG LSD w/ VAC Race Diff Cover l Cobb e30 l Morr vs8.2 l UUC SSK w/ DSSR l VSRF Catless Dps l RPI Intercooler l CDV Removed l HID AE 8000k l ETS Catback l AST 5200 w/ Vorshlag Camber Plates l ER Dual Oil Coolers l Rear Camber and Toe Arms l K&N Drop In l Solid Tranny/Diff/Subframe Bushings l Bridgestone RE-11
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-07-2012, 08:19 PM	#3
loweredram Lieutenant 51 Rep 415 Posts Drives: 16 F80 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: ca iTrader: (2)	I've never tried it but have read on the forum people pulling and cleaning them might work
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-07-2012, 08:52 PM	#5
cleex024 Lieutenant Colonel 107 Rep 1,529 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Woodbridge iTrader: (2)	hmmm i might try to take them out and clean them...i dont understand how these go bad they dont get build up on them and its metal...and its not like they are electrical or anything its just a piece of metal with holes in it lol. __________________ Space Gray l 6MT l OSG LSD w/ VAC Race Diff Cover l Cobb e30 l Morr vs8.2 l UUC SSK w/ DSSR l VSRF Catless Dps l RPI Intercooler l CDV Removed l HID AE 8000k l ETS Catback l AST 5200 w/ Vorshlag Camber Plates l ER Dual Oil Coolers l Rear Camber and Toe Arms l K&N Drop In l Solid Tranny/Diff/Subframe Bushings l Bridgestone RE-11
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-08-2012, 02:32 AM	#7
cleex024 Lieutenant Colonel 107 Rep 1,529 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Woodbridge iTrader: (2)	alright guys...so i went ahead and cleaned out my solenoids with brake cleaner...wiped everything down and reinstalled switching the bottom with the top. conclusion is the car WOTS much better...i thought maybe it was placebo effect but it was not. i was looking for the car to run smoother as everyone said but while looking for the smoothness the car just pulled and pulled. i will give an update tomorrow after driving somemore in the daytime when the air is a little warmer. __________________ Space Gray l 6MT l OSG LSD w/ VAC Race Diff Cover l Cobb e30 l Morr vs8.2 l UUC SSK w/ DSSR l VSRF Catless Dps l RPI Intercooler l CDV Removed l HID AE 8000k l ETS Catback l AST 5200 w/ Vorshlag Camber Plates l ER Dual Oil Coolers l Rear Camber and Toe Arms l K&N Drop In l Solid Tranny/Diff/Subframe Bushings l Bridgestone RE-11
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-08-2012, 08:18 AM	#8
Adem_ New Member 6 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	2a87 is outlet-vanos jammed mechanically I have the same fault. We replaced the solenoid and the cam sensor but the fault is still there. Friday we will replace the vanos adjustment unit.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-08-2012, 12:20 PM	#12
Robert@vishnu 28 Rep 212 Posts Drives: Corvette C6 Z06 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Danville iTrader: (2)	vanos clean them first and if you are still getting the codes then you should replace them. If you have more then 45~50k miles on the car this is not uncommon.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-15-2012, 05:54 PM	#13
woptang22 Major 179 Rep 1,247 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 BMW M3 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bristol Pa iTrader: (1)	I just got the half engine light and the P2A87 and P3100 codes . Is this something serious or not so expensive to fix? I know the P2A87 said vanos plausibility, I dont know what that means. And the P3100 had no description at all. Any help would be appreciated. __________________ 2009 E92 BMW M3.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-09-2012, 02:19 PM	#15
messi First Lieutenant 17 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i MSport Coupe 6AT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Trinidad iTrader: (1)	Got these same codes this weekend...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-09-2012, 03:14 PM	#16
cleex024 Lieutenant Colonel 107 Rep 1,529 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Woodbridge iTrader: (2)	well the whole vanos thing seems to have gone away since ive cleaned them...its really easy to do and all i did was pull them out and clean them out with brake cleaner. __________________ Space Gray l 6MT l OSG LSD w/ VAC Race Diff Cover l Cobb e30 l Morr vs8.2 l UUC SSK w/ DSSR l VSRF Catless Dps l RPI Intercooler l CDV Removed l HID AE 8000k l ETS Catback l AST 5200 w/ Vorshlag Camber Plates l ER Dual Oil Coolers l Rear Camber and Toe Arms l K&N Drop In l Solid Tranny/Diff/Subframe Bushings l Bridgestone RE-11
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-09-2012, 06:08 PM	#17
messi First Lieutenant 17 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i MSport Coupe 6AT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Trinidad iTrader: (1)	Gonna order mine today. Got half check engine light this weekend at wot. Same two codes. I think someone explained in another thread that the p3100 is an associated code that will really come as a result of the vanos code.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-10-2012, 06:48 AM	#19
enrita Major General 163 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: 335i - Big turbos Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Italian in Sweden iTrader: (0)	3100 is actually just the limp mode which shuts down the turbos to limit power, therefore the half engine light . Is always present with another code that actually caused it. __________________ 07 335i AT - MOTIV 750 - MHD E85 BMS flash - BMS PI - JB4G5 - Okada Coils - NGK 5992 Plugs - Helix IC - Snow Stg. 3 - Stett CP - Custom midpipes with 100 HJS Cats - Bastuck Quad - PSS10 - QUAIFE LSD - BMS OCC - Forge DVs - AR OC - ALCON BBK - M3 Chassi - Dinan CP - Velocity M rear Toe arms - Advan RZ-DF - LUX H8 - Level 10 AT upgrade
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-10-2012, 07:13 AM	#20
messi First Lieutenant 17 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i MSport Coupe 6AT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Trinidad iTrader: (1)	Good info here as always. Will update when I get my part
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-21-2012, 03:13 PM	#22
King mode First Lieutenant 8 Rep 374 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: May 2012 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	I had the vanos code come up then had both solenoids replaced. Code popped up again and now I'm having the cam bearing ledge job done. 5 days left on factory warranty. __________________ 2008 335xi AT Cobb AP stage 1, drop in filter, the rest stock 13.10@106.01 w/ 1.86 60' (5,800' altitude)
	Appreciate 0 Quote