Questions for super experts (SES related)

[Paulpt]

Hi Guys,

I posted previously that my SES light was coming on, then off, then on, etc.

It finally came on and I was near an Autozone so I had it read. It gave the following:

P0505 - Idle control System malfunction
Po335 Crankshaft position sensor A circuit malfunction
Po368 Camshaft position sensor B bank one CKT intermittent.

No clue what these are but my questions are:

1- The car seems to run fine, a little sluggish in power (I bet the PO505 has something to do with it).
2- I have changed the plugs a few weeks back, can this have anything to do (replaced with OEM plugs).
3- Can one of these codes be activating the others?
4- Are any of these repairs DIY type?
5- Where would you start fixing? My experience is that sometimes a simple solution fixes the others, not sure in this case. Again the car is running OK I never had any issues really. Just these last couple of days if the SES light came on, I revved the car pretty high a couple of times, turned ignition off and then the light was off.

THIS IS FOR A 2001 X5 3.0 92K miles.

I hope this are not $$$$$ repairs and it is something I can manage myself (if it is replacing stuff).

Thanks in advance.

P

[lo_jack]

I have no experience with the crankshaft position stuff, but if it is throwing a code, you might consider clearing the code, unplugging the sensor from the harness and plugging it back in. See if it throws the code again. It could be out though. This has to do with the Idle Control problem somewhat because the ICV fault, up to about MY2004 can be due to a bad wiring harness, not necessarily the valve, though it contributes to valve demise.

The valve I have replaced. It is not hard, the part costs $100 ish and you will have a nice smooth idle, better fuel economy and that code should clear up. I replaced my valve but not the harness, and things are still working correctly. Eventually though you could get all the brake lights coming on (DSC< ABS, Brake) and even EML, as mine did.

However, as I have mentioned before elsewhere, the pre2004 3.0l harnesses are sort of subject to failure. This I was told by a buddy from another forum who was a BMW certified tech who has helped me through every problem with my X5 without fail. The pins on the connector I believe are junk. Sometimes you can unplug the ICV and plug it back in and that code will clear up. Sometimes not.

At your milage, I believe the valve is probably done. Mine was toast at 74k. If you have a star drive and a metric socket set (I think the nuts are 10mm) you can change that valve out in under an hour with the walkthrough on this site.

BTW, how is your seperator?

[Paulpt]

lo_jack: Thanks for your response. I have a few questions about it:

1- You mentioned:

unplugging the sensor from the harness and plugging it back in

- Where is that located?


For your comment on the ICV, is this what you are talking about (I guess right? this article mentions the same error code).


http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/e...ode-p0505.html


- Thanks again for your help and as I said the car runs ok, a bit sluggish maybe.

[lo_jack]

Yes that is precisely it. See that big black plastic deal in the picture you pull out of the intake manifold? That is the butterfly...and you can at that point easily tell if there is a lot of blowby on it (and in the intake itself, which would be compounding the problem.

That is the reason I asked about the seperator - replacing the ICV and seperator all at once is not a bad idea, if you have need to do so.

My car ran with this code for a while. Then I started getting EML. It idled like hell and sucked gas like nothing else. Eventually it will run worse.

[Zulu95]

There are articles on the home page about replacing the cam positions sensors. They run around $70 or so each from many online sources.
I think others have changed or cleaned the idle control components and cured the problem. Do a quick search here for their posts.

[Paulpt]

Thank you Zulu. Can you refer me to any of those online sources? My local BMW dealer is a little out of touch with reality with the prices ($228 for the IVC, $ 114 for each cam position sensors).

I will try cleaning the idle control components too (will search on how to here).

Thanks again

P

[lo_jack]

You should be able to order the valve from a sponsor. I got mine from the internet - it should not be a dealer only part.

[Paulpt]

That's a good suggestion Lojack, after all they help us keep the forum up.

Will check with them.