VANOS solenoid works with the ECU to control your BMW X3 engine timing. If the solenoid fails, you would encounter all sorts of drivability problems. So, early warning signs of VANOS solenoid failure in your BMW X3 shouldn’t be neglected. Efforts should be made to identify and fix the problem ASAP.

1. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR
BMW X3 VANOS Solenoid Fails?

2. What’s VANOS?

3. VANOS stand for ‘Variable Nockenwellen Steuerung’.

4. That’s German for variable camshaft timing.

5. BMW introduced it in the late 1900s
as an alternative to the engine
variable valve timing system.

6. Simply put, VANOS regulates the
camshaft and intake-exhaust valves for
streamlining the engine timing.

7. By doing that, it makes certain that your BMW
X3 engine is performing more efficiently.

8. TYPES OF VANOS

9. At the most basic level, it is of the
following three types;
Single VANOS
Double VANOS
Double VANOS with Valvetronic

10. What does VANOS solenoid do in BMW X3?

11. VANOS solenoid serves to
control the movement of
camshaft gear by
regulating oil pressure.

12. By doing that, it essentially
controls the valve timing.

13. You can find the VANOS solenoids
(both intake and exhaust) at the
front end of the cylinder head.

14. The engine control unit or ECU
regulates the operation of the
VANOS solenoid.

15. Symptoms of a bad
VANOS solenoid

16. Rough engine idle

17. It’s one of the most common signs of having
a bad VANOS solenoid in your BMW X3.

18. Clogged solenoid can put your BMW
X3 VANOS system in jeopardy, as a
result of which the engine might idle
rough.

19. Low engine power

20. Timing of air-fuel mixture entering the combustion chamber has
to be synchronized with the timing of spark generation.

21. Having a bad VANOS solenoid can break that synchronization.

22. As a result of which, your BMW X3 engine won’t be
able to generate your desired acceleration.

23. Check engine light is on

24. When the onboard computer finds out errors in the
VANOS solenoid, it would trigger the check engine light.

25. A bad VANOS solenoid also throws error codes like
2A82 (intake solenoid) and 2A87 (exhaust solenoid).

26. Car goes into limp
mode

27. When the ECU detects deformities in
the VANOS solenoid, it would put
your BMW X3 in limp mode.

28. It's a self-preservation system designed
to protect sensitive components.

29. Car consuming more fuel

30. A faulty VANOS solenoid would make your BMW
X3 engine consume more fuel than usual.

31. BMW X3 VANOS
solenoid failure - How
to diagnose and fix it?

32. You can conduct a volt test to check if the
solenoids are in good condition or not.

33. Faulty VANOS solenoid has to be
replaced for a smooth engine operation.

34. Faulty solenoids can jeopardize
your BMW X3 VANOS system.

35. So, if you’re noticing symptoms of
VANOS solenoid failure in your
BMW X3 call your mechanic ASAP.

36. Contact Details
MAILING ADDRESS
1700 SURVEYOR BLVD. SUITE #114
CARROLLTON, TX 75006
EMAIL ADDRESS
info@ultimatebimmerservice.com
PHONE NUMBER
(972) 418-1800

37. Thanks for listening!