BMW Drivetrain Malfunction: Valvetronic Eccentric Shaft Actuator No Movement - Diagnosis & Repair

00:00 Intro
09:02 Header panel, windshield wiper arms & engine brace removal
12:17 Valve cover removal including high pressure fuel pump and rails, ignition coils, all electric wire harness and vacuum pump
21:18 THIS WAS THE PROBLEM
25:18 Fuel injectors removal
26:20 Valvetronic actuator motor removal & install
Diagnosing a no movement code 135608 and replacing valvetronic eccentric shaft cam actuator.
BMW 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 series, M2,3,4, X3,4,5,6, Z4
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⁉️QUESTIONS
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⚠️Disclaimer:
The videos on Motorcarnut channel are posted with informational purpose only.
Information posted in this video does not guarantee any particular result. Use this information provided in the video with caution and at your own risk. It is the responsibility of the viewer to take this risk.
Motorcarnut is not responsible or liable for property damage, any loss damage, or injury related to or resulted from information posted in this video.

[@zunaids4036]

very informative and detailed explanation. really appreciate your videos.

[@Motorcarnut]

Thank you!

[@jorgeceballos4235]

Grate video! I wish I had found your channel before

[@Motorcarnut]

Thank you, well now hopefully I can save you some money in the future!

[@jorgeceballos4235]

How can I contact you for a couple of questions I have in my 320i

[@Motorcarnut]

On here so maybe this can help more people in the future

[@jorgeceballos4235]

I have a 2012 BMW 320i, 4 cylinders with 110,000 miles. I recently bought the car at the auction so I don’t have any history on the car. When I purchased it, it was a crank no start. Later found out that the car jumped timing and replaced the timing chain I also replaced the eccentric shaft sensor, valve cover, coils, and spark plugs. Now the car starts but is misfiring, rough idling, has no power, and shuts off after a minute or two. I’ve noticed that the injector 2 and 3 are leaking fuel into the spark plugs. It also has drive train malfunction. Do you think the injectors are causing the issues with the car? These are the codes I’m getting 120408 131401 131501 140002 140010 140201 140202 140210 140302 140310 I highly appreciate it in advance 🙏

[@Motorcarnut]

First did you set up the timing with the proper tools? TDC tool cam tool balance shaft tool vanos tool? Those are misfire codes did you put each injector back in its original location? They are programmed to each specific cylinder and cannot be changed without reprogramming. Did you use a scan tool to relearn the valvetronic solenoid? And the vacuum lines on the engine cover did get mixed up for that 120408 code?

[@deuwnwilliams]

Awesome video!!!!

[@Motorcarnut]

Thank you!

[@maxterking_x6841]

I got same code for valvetronic and car crank but no start after I reemplace head gasket, got some code about valvetronic before head gasket too, compression is good

[@Motorcarnut]

What code??

[@maxterking_x6841]

Valvetronic no movement

[@Motorcarnut]

Circuit or valvetronic motor no good

[@robinkim7711]

Thank you for sharing your experience! Was it sounds like no compression cranking before repair?

[@Motorcarnut]

Thank you! Yes, eccentric cam can leave open the valves and cause low compression among other issues

[@lowfinger]

Interesting to watch. A sensor in my valvetronic motor went short circuit, I follow a few forums and seen the exact same fault crop up a few times. DME1F1A90 'internal fault 5v sensor supply monitoring'.

[@Motorcarnut]

It’s pretty common on the early models

[@lowfinger]

@@Motorcarnut Mine was on a 2017 S55 at 3 years 7k miles.

[@Motorcarnut]

So even newer, but not as much

[@Ksekhon]

How did you fix the problem?

[@lowfinger]

@@Ksekhon A new valvetronic motor was fiitted.

[@gregoryfedor3223]

Thanks for the great info! I have a 2013 BMW x3 N20. Threw a Drivetrain Malfunction Error and quit. I have a Bosch scanner and pulled 2 camshaft sensor errors. Would not restart. Towed to a local "import" mechanic. They checked for bent valves, scarred pistons, loose chain (all before opening it up). They were able to rotate by hand. So they tried to restart it. It did restart to everyone's surprise and there are no timing related codes. There is a Valvtronic code being thrown. The issue now is that when then try to throttle it up under not load (ie in neutral) , it stalls out. They are now thinking Valvtronic servo. Have you ever had this situation where the engine starts but cannot be throttled up?

[@Motorcarnut]

Yes, It's probably the servo motor or the eccentric cam binding. This video shows how to repair it. Also, it the timing chain was never replaced, if should before catastrophic failure. I have videos on all this on my channel. Good luck.

[@gregoryfedor3223]

@@Motorcarnut Thank you for taking the time to respond to this. Appreciated!

[@Motorcarnut]

No problem!

[@alicegabrielafelix5021]

Hello my noble friend how are things with you congratulations on the video. If you can help me, I would really appreciate it. I have a BMW 320 i 2.0 year 2013. I have already replaced the valvetronic on the ecentric shaft.

[@alicegabrielafelix5021]

I can't learn the valvetronic the car started twice but it doesn't start anymore and the fault code 135685 doesn't come out of memory even 133b04

[@Motorcarnut]

Thank you! When you replaced the servo motor, did you use a scan tool to do a relearn procedure?

[@user-zu1lc3ir9m]

I had to get this replaced on my 2013 X3 as well. 2 weeks later my drivetrain light came back on and it's having trouble even getting up to 50 mph. Any Ideas what it could be now?

[@Motorcarnut]

What codes are coming up now?

[@rodrigolopez9432]

I see you test the car with connecting a valvetronic motor on the outside of the car but what do you mean by you "ground it" do you give it power through another cable not just the harness?

[@Motorcarnut]

I just temporarily grounded it so it will work for the test. Once installed it’s grounded to the cylinder head.

[@enriquejimenez1310]

Good afternoon, I have the a 2013 Bmw 328i same motor I replaced timing components about 2 years ago and everything was working fine and now I have a whining noise not too loud but inside the vehicle is more noticeable. Do you have an idea of what it could be. I always use bmw oil filters and oil. Thanks

[@Motorcarnut]

Hard to advise as it could be many things. Make sure the transmission fluid is at the proper level and no leaks. Usually it’s from a failing timing chain guide but you replaced them so you should be good with that.

[@beaudeegoddess4585]

Hey did you fix your car? I have the same exact car as yours and my car is acting crazy I really would like your help

[@chrisfarrisi9706]

I have the same vehicle with the same problem. What’s a typical cost to perform this repair? Also, curious to know the additional cost to replace the timing chain? Interested in having you do the work.

[@Motorcarnut]

Anywhere from $2500 to over $5000 depending on parts that are replaced.

[@dazeboy79]

Hello thanks for the video. Is this servomotor the same on 06 E90 330i w/ N52?

[@Motorcarnut]

No, it’s different

[@maxreacts2003]

After speaking with the mechanic, and doing a total of over $300 in tests, he told me that they need to go deeper into the engine which would cost me another $1,000. He explained that the valves barely moved, all the electronics are fine, and that hopefully it’s the eccentric shaft. Just wondering, could he have concluded that the issue was the valvetronic with a similar test you did. I have a 2013 BMW series 5 528i xdrive. I really don’t want to waste $1,000 if he could’ve concluded this was the issue on the original test. Thanks.

[@Motorcarnut]

Well its hard to judge your mechanics experience, but there should be codes and with the proper scan tool should be able to try to activate the servo motor for the eccentric shaft while looking in through the oil fill hole for shaft movement. If the shaft does not move from stop to stop with scan tool it will set a code. Now these engines are notorious for timing chain failures ( watch my other videos on that) which could be playing a part in this. Now is the vehicle running? if not, then after doing those tests and looking at the live data and being comfortable in your predictions than the next step would be open up and fix what failed.

[@atreviews1212]

This exact thing happened to me and I’m about to try and fix it myself on me 2013 BMW 328i. The codes I got are 134F02 and 135B11. Are these similar codes you got???

[@Motorcarnut]

Yes, they are related.

[@atreviews1212]

@@Motorcarnut I see you tested a new motor outside of the engine but do you connect an extra cable to it to give it power? I understand the code should disappear if it fixes the problem but the valvetronic only have one connection

[@Motorcarnut]

No, I just grounded it because it wasn’t installed and grounded.

[@himanshugupta3651]

What diagnostic tool/scanner are you using? Thanks.

[@Motorcarnut]

I’m personally using MaxiSys Ultra but you can use any scanner that can do bi directionals.

[@bmwloverforlife8091]

I baught a 2011 bmw 116i with the N13 engine, the Valvetronick is on the side almost to the back of the engine When I got it the person told me it shuts down on them and when we scan it I got the Vavetronick code so I baught a new valvertronic moto and just take out the old one and put back the new one it was tight to get in but use an aulinkey at the back of it to spin it in and tighten the bolts every time in goes in a little. When we got it all the way in, we try to start it and it never starts just turn over so we put an autel scanner on it and whenever we try to relearn it, it come to a part that it says voltage low or not reach something like that but we get the car to start and it runs a little and start to vibrate and have a little sound like it wants to back fire if that make sense, then shut back down about 4 times so I am trying to find out if there is a relay or fuse or even ECU problem, Please let me know what you think? I check all fuse in the engen area I pull out the box under the glove compartment nex to the door and check it for burn or broken fuse also in the trunk nex to the battery and I pull out the side peace in the trunk and check those fuse as well but all looks good to me, the phues I check with a tester and I ask a electrician to test the black regulator that is in the engine bay nex to the inches on the car bonnet and he say it was working, also take out that little black box at the front of the engine that you have to cut open to check fuse and they all good as well

[@Motorcarnut]

What codes do you have now after the valvetronic replacement?

[@bmwloverforlife8091]

@@Motorcarnut I will get a electrician to look at it tomorrow and then keep you posted.

[@tapiwastansbie9129]

i'm having a very similar problem i get valvetronic codes and the engine idols rough and is making popping noises out of the exhaust, did you manage to fix this ?

[@ashleyhorwood9029]

Hi I'm having similar issue, I've actually changed the motor and the shaft but upon putting it back together and starting ignition it goes to minimum fine then back to maximum but isn't learning the maximum stop point and it's like it's trying to keep going? Like it doesn't recognise the stop and makes a horrible sound

[@Motorcarnut]

Are you using factory replacement parts? And did you do a relearn with a scan tool?

[@ashleyhorwood9029]

@@Motorcarnut Thanks for the reply! Yeah we used factory parts and tried relearning through ISTA but it can't carry out the service function, could it maybe be the cables to the DME?

[@Motorcarnut]

@ashleyhorwood9029 Yes, another common problem is if the servo motor got shorted out it can blow the driver in the DME. Hopefully yours just has a bad connection.

[@1hughjanus80]

That accent is nice

[@Motorcarnut]

Ok, thank you

[@davidt8786]

Is this a N20 engine you working on....

[@Motorcarnut]

Yes

[@chrisramirez9695]

213A21, 135B11, E14406, U1164 are my codes can you please help me out before I dumb thousands into a n20!

[@Motorcarnut]

With that many codes this has to be diagnosed in person.

[@crissy7503]

So, I just finish the timing chain, but the car does not start, the owner brought it not running, saying that he was driving and all of a sudden the display says shut the car imediatly there is a mulfunction, he turned off the engine and could not restart the car again, so after inspecting the car I noticed some movement in the chain and decided to remove the valve cover, and as i suspected the time went off by 5 or 6 teeth , so I told the owner we can try replacing the timimg chain and hopefully that will fix everything, so now it does not start and these are the codes, 135A08 valvetronic servomotor position sensor signal not plausible, 135808 valvetronic servomotor position sensor mulfunction, CDA904 No message ( status of trailer, 0x2E4) DME Reciver AHM Transmitter, 213A21 vehicle voltage , Working Area. Voltage to low and last one 213501 Power management total discharge. I can hear the servomotor moving when turning ignition ON or after turning OFF, I can see some spark from time to time on cylinder No 1 but no spark on the other 3 I have not swiched coils but I don't think is a coil issue, I think the spark is being disable from the DME because other issues or causes . Any ideas, let me know , I will apreciatte it , Thanks in advance.

[@Motorcarnut]

I need a little history, did the car have codes before you worked on it? If so, what were they? Also did you have all the proper tools to set the cams, vanos oil pump balance shafts and TDC pin? Did you check cylinder compression for any bent valves?

[@crissy7503]

@Motorcarnut when I got the car it didn't trow me any codes , the battery was dead, so I charged the battery and tried to start it but it didn't work, so the first thing that came to my mind was to check the timing, and I saw through the oil cap hole the slack in the chain , so I removed the valve cover and confirmed the timing off, I didn't check for bent valves because when cranking sounded with enough power (compression) my mistake I know. Yes I have all the tools needed for timing the engine the right way, the pin that locks the fly wheel, the tool that locks the teeth in the fly wheel, the little tool for the balancing shaft , the one that holds the cams along with the one for that vanos, so I guess I am going to start with the compression test even though the engine sounds strong enough, what do you think.

[@Motorcarnut]

Ok, got it. Well what I don’t like is the valvetronic codes, if the servo motor is not working it may hold the intake valves open and the compression test will be inaccurate. Do you have a scan tool to try a relearn of the valvetronic eccentric cam stops? If you do and it can’t complete the reset, that can be the problem right there. You may hear it but maybe it’s not moving or binding. They are known for that as well.

[@crissy7503]

@Motorcarnut So, I am going to remove the valve cover and check the eccentric shaft position before I do the compression test and then I will check the movement of the servomotor. Thanks a lot for the response Sr I really appreciate it

[@Motorcarnut]

No problem

[@adamjohn5965]

paid 7500 for this work… had 3 different parts go bad with the valvtronic🤦🏽‍♂️

[@Motorcarnut]

Sorry to hear that. I made videos like this to save people that kind of money. The repair is time consuming but very doable following my videos.