Engine light and hard driving.

inf4m0us1 · 10-17-2016, 07:33 AM

So as I was driving to work. I needed to get around this slow poke. So I dropped a gear I have auto by the way. And stepped on it from 3rd to 6th. Then the engine light that I think is the oil light ( engine that is half colored in its not the cel it's the one that comesays out in the middle .) Then I lost most power , which I know is the engine protecting itself. Anyways I stop a at a gas station and oil is good. I start the car back up and the light goes away and power is restored. Any idea what's going on? This happened once before and I really did need oil 1 qt. I put it and everything worked good.

shadow191 · 10-17-2016, 07:47 AM

Have to read codes to see what it is, could be several different things. Maybe a vanos solenoid, I just started having a similar issue on occasion and I'm getting a 2A87 code (along with 3100). Basically if I've been driving normally for a while then get on the throttle, it will throw the code and go into limp mode. Restart the car and it resets but it will happen again.

AM330i · 10-17-2016, 08:22 AM

I was having a similar issue, everytime I go wot, I get half engine light and reduced power. I was getting 2a7c and 2a87 and 3100. All related to vanos. May or may not be your issue, you will need to read the codes. You need a bmw specific code reader, a generic one won't work.

Jakester · 10-17-2016, 08:34 AM

Your oil level is fine because the half engine light is not the low level indicator.

inf4m0us1 · 10-17-2016, 09:07 AM

what reader do you guys recommend? I thought you can't read codes if the check engine light is not on? how would I read the code? go wot and make it limp again and while the car is on and the half engine light is on, plug in the reader and see what it says? because once I turn the car off it will go away.

whyzee125 · 10-17-2016, 01:56 PM

That's the 'reduced power' light. Yes, do it again and scan the codes. Are you stock? How many miles? Could be carbon buildup, vanos solenoids, a lot of things really.

F30lolz · 10-17-2016, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inf4m0us1

So as I was driving to work. I needed to get around this slow poke. So I dropped a gear I have auto by the way. And stepped on it from 3rd to 6th. Then the engine light that I think is the oil light ( engine that is half colored in its not the cel it's the one that comesays out in the middle .) Then I lost most power , which I know is the engine protecting itself. Anyways I stop a at a gas station and oil is good. I start the car back up and the light goes away and power is restored. Any idea what's going on? This happened once before and I really did need oil 1 qt. I put it and everything worked good.

OP, I'm feeling generous. Swing by near Dadeland Mall Friday or this weekend and I'll read your codes.

inf4m0us1 · 10-17-2016, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F30lolz

OP, I'm feeling generous. Swing by near Dadeland Mall Friday or this weekend and I'll read your codes.

Thanks I appreciate it. I'll pm you my number so you can send me an address I live on Kendall and 137 so I'm close

inf4m0us1 · 10-17-2016, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whyzee125

That's the 'reduced power' light. Yes, do it again and scan the codes. Are you stock? How many miles? Could be carbon buildup, vanos solenoids, a lot of things really.

I'm stock for now 78k miles. Was thinking of changing oil plugs and clean vanos solenoids this weekend.

GearRex · 10-17-2016, 10:54 PM

Did you hear a pop prior to going into limp mode?

You could have busted the plastic OEM charge pipe. Pretty common on 335i vehicles.

F30lolz · 10-18-2016, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inf4m0us1

Thanks I appreciate it. I'll pm you my number so you can send me an address I live on Kendall and 137 so I'm close

Got it so I'll give you a text Friday afternoon.

inf4m0us1 · 10-18-2016, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GearRex

Did you hear a pop prior to going into limp mode?

You could have busted the plastic OEM charge pipe. Pretty common on 335i vehicles.

No I didn't hear a pop. I am going to replace that charge pipe just to avoid future hassles. been looking all over ebay for charge pipes. there are so many!!

inf4m0us1 · 10-21-2016, 09:19 AM

I just got a bunch of goodies, jb4, charge pipe, dci, plugs, oil I am going to do all that this weekend. I want to clean the vanos as recommended any tips? is it only the 2 that are in the front of the engine? I was going to use some brake cleaner.

mweisdorfer · 10-21-2016, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inf4m0us1

So as I was driving to work. I needed to get around this slow poke. So I dropped a gear I have auto by the way. And stepped on it from 3rd to 6th. Then the engine light that I think is the oil light ( engine that is half colored in its not the cel it's the one that comesays out in the middle .) Then I lost most power , which I know is the engine protecting itself. Anyways I stop a at a gas station and oil is good. I start the car back up and the light goes away and power is restored. Any idea what's going on? This happened once before and I really did need oil 1 qt. I put it and everything worked good.

Probably Just need to clean your vanos solenoids out.

inf4m0us1 · 10-22-2016, 01:23 PM

Problem solved it was the vanos. Thanks guys.

10-17-2016, 07:33 AM	#1
inf4m0us1 Private 16 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	Engine light and hard driving. So as I was driving to work. I needed to get around this slow poke. So I dropped a gear I have auto by the way. And stepped on it from 3rd to 6th. Then the engine light that I think is the oil light ( engine that is half colored in its not the cel it's the one that comesays out in the middle .) Then I lost most power , which I know is the engine protecting itself. Anyways I stop a at a gas station and oil is good. I start the car back up and the light goes away and power is restored. Any idea what's going on? This happened once before and I really did need oil 1 qt. I put it and everything worked good.
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10-17-2016, 07:47 AM	#2
shadow191 Lieutenant Colonel 181 Rep 1,681 Posts Drives: 2017 Volvo XC90 R-Design Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: GA iTrader: (3)	Have to read codes to see what it is, could be several different things. Maybe a vanos solenoid, I just started having a similar issue on occasion and I'm getting a 2A87 code (along with 3100). Basically if I've been driving normally for a while then get on the throttle, it will throw the code and go into limp mode. Restart the car and it resets but it will happen again. Last edited by shadow191; 10-17-2016 at 07:56 AM..
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10-17-2016, 08:22 AM	#3
AM330i First Lieutenant 90 Rep 386 Posts Drives: 08 535xi 11 328xi Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Rochester, NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M440 [0.00]	I was having a similar issue, everytime I go wot, I get half engine light and reduced power. I was getting 2a7c and 2a87 and 3100. All related to vanos. May or may not be your issue, you will need to read the codes. You need a bmw specific code reader, a generic one won't work.
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10-17-2016, 08:34 AM	#4
Jakester Private First Class 28 Rep 137 Posts Drives: F82 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: York PA iTrader: (2)	Your oil level is fine because the half engine light is not the low level indicator.
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10-17-2016, 09:07 AM	#5
inf4m0us1 Private 16 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	what reader do you guys recommend? I thought you can't read codes if the check engine light is not on? how would I read the code? go wot and make it limp again and while the car is on and the half engine light is on, plug in the reader and see what it says? because once I turn the car off it will go away.
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10-17-2016, 01:56 PM	#6
whyzee125 Brigadier General 1679 Rep 3,645 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	That's the 'reduced power' light. Yes, do it again and scan the codes. Are you stock? How many miles? Could be carbon buildup, vanos solenoids, a lot of things really.
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10-17-2016, 10:54 PM	#10
GearRex First Lieutenant 194 Rep 310 Posts Drives: G80 M3, E46 ZHP, 991.2 Cabrio Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Miami iTrader: (6)	Did you hear a pop prior to going into limp mode? You could have busted the plastic OEM charge pipe. Pretty common on 335i vehicles.
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10-21-2016, 09:19 AM	#13
inf4m0us1 Private 16 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	I just got a bunch of goodies, jb4, charge pipe, dci, plugs, oil I am going to do all that this weekend. I want to clean the vanos as recommended any tips? is it only the 2 that are in the front of the engine? I was going to use some brake cleaner.
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10-22-2016, 01:23 PM	#15
inf4m0us1 Private 16 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	Problem solved it was the vanos. Thanks guys.
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