New member, Some Q about Vanos

In article .com>,
Class-1 > wrote:
> Yep, happened to be too, twice in fact ('02 E46 Ci w. Steptronic).
> - First time when turning into my street at ~5 mph, the engine just cut
> out for no reason (bear in mind it was a Steptronic, so stall is
> impossible).

It's not - autos can and do stall on the over-run. Below certain revs the
torque convertor doesn't work in both directions, as it were, so unless it
is physically locked out the car motion doesn't turn the engine and
therefore the fluid pump, pressure from which is needed to keep the car in
gear.

> - Second time it happened as I was going down the highway at ~45 mph
> (v. heavy traffic), which was most amusing as I'm sure you can imagine!

> Again, bear in mind this was a Steptronic(!)

> Each time it started up again instantly & ran fine + no warning lights
> of any kind. Of course I took it in to be looked at, but no fault codes
> were ever recorded. I always had a theory that it was the cam sensor...

I had similar, and it turned out to be the crank sensor. Only happened
when the engine was very hot - like in a traffic jam with the AC on.

> In summary, it happened twice over the 3.5 yrs I owned the car, which
> doesn't sound much but is very dangerous nonetheless.

--
*Wrinkled was not one of the things I wanted to be when I grew up

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Class-1 wrote:
> Bimmer328 wrote:
>
>>I do the same exact thing... anyway, guys.. lets get back to the topic
>>pls..! any additional information after my latest comments?
>
>
> Yep, happened to be too, twice in fact ('02 E46 Ci w. Steptronic).
> - First time when turning into my street at ~5 mph, the engine just cut
> out for no reason (bear in mind it was a Steptronic, so stall is
> impossible).
>
> - Second time it happened as I was going down the highway at ~45 mph
> (v. heavy traffic), which was most amusing as I'm sure you can imagine!
>
> Again, bear in mind this was a Steptronic(!)
>
> Each time it started up again instantly & ran fine + no warning lights
> of any kind. Of course I took it in to be looked at, but no fault codes
> were ever recorded. I always had a theory that it was the cam sensor...
>
> In summary, it happened twice over the 3.5 yrs I owned the car, which
> doesn't sound much but is very dangerous nonetheless.
>

A cam sensor failure should throw a fault code. What about an ignition
switch electrical failure? That might explain it.

--
-Fred W

"Jeff Strickland" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> The only way for the steering to lock is for the key to be off AND
> removed. I can switch my motor off at any time and I can still steer my
> car. The steerig does not lock until the key is removed. But, even if your
> steering locked, this is not a VANOS issue.
>
>
>

I doubt that's what the OP really meant. I suspect he was referring to
losing his power steering due to the stalled engine.

Eisboch