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BMW e46 Not Starting Fault Code P0370

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  • 08-11-2014 1:43am
    #1
    wandererz
    Registered Users Posts: 2,525 ✭✭✭


    I wonder if someone can provide some insight into this problem.

    Car was stuck in traffic on M50 this evening. When moving off it started "chugging" and engine warning light came on.

    Pulled it over and checked fault codes.
    Showed "P0370 Timing Reference High Resolution Signal A Malfunction".

    Started it up again and drove a few miles without a problem, then started happening again and battery light came on intermittently.
    When this happened, the car seemed to lose power.

    Cleared off the code but now car won't start.

    I saw another post elsewhere where the cause was an ignition coil.

    As background, last week there was a misfire in cylinders 2 & 3. So i changed the spark plugs.

    Car is an e46 316i 1.8L and currently parked off in an estate a few miles away from me.

    I'm tempted to replace the coils tomorrow.
    Although i seem to remember replacing them last year sometime.


    Any suggestions on a possible fix?


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    #2
    cletus
    Registered Users Posts: 7,869 ✭✭✭cletus


    Google says the problem is to do with the timing optical sensor. After that I can be of no help to you


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    #3
    wandererz
    Registered Users Posts: 2,525 ✭✭✭wandererz


    cletus wrote: »
    Google says the problem is to do with the timing optical sensor. After that I can be of no help to you

    Yes. Thanks for that.
    I picked up a crankshaft sensor today, plus new ignition coils, plugs and a new battery.

    Seems it could be raft of things from the crankshaft to coils to wiring problems.

    I managed to drive the car for a while today, but then turned on the lights and the problem re-occurred.

    When it did, the battery warning light also came on.

    So I'm going to start with the above, and if that doesn't fix it, then it will need to go to a BMW specialist.


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    #4
    DublinDilbert
    Registered Users Posts: 5,366 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    Which engine is it? What year? Is it the valvetronic engine or the older m43?


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    #5
    wandererz
    Registered Users Posts: 2,525 ✭✭✭wandererz


    DublinDilbert wrote: »
    Which engine is it? What year? Is it the valvetronic engine or the older m43?

    It's a 2005 1.8L N46 engine.


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    #6
    Waterson
    Registered Users Posts: 383 ✭✭Waterson


    If it is the 318 or 320 engine, suspect the crankshaft position sensor. Probably dont need the coilpack as the likelihood of both coils failing at the same time is unlikely. If you can get access to a scanner with the ability to log live data, check if you have an RPM signal when cranking, as the PCM uses the crankshaft signal to calculate RPM. If it is missinh, then you should be looking at the crank sensor. Not a handy one. Ive found the easiest way is to pull the inlet manifold out and then access the crank sensor.


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    #7
    DublinDilbert
    Registered Users Posts: 5,366 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    Also pull the plug off the excentric cam sensor and see if there's oil inside the connector.


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    #8
    wandererz
    Registered Users Posts: 2,525 ✭✭✭wandererz


    DublinDilbert wrote: »
    Also pull the plug off the excentric cam sensor and see if there's oil inside the connector.

    Thanks. Yes. There was some oil in it. I thought that simply clearing it out would be ok.

    There was oil there in the past, didn't think it would be the cause of this problem.

    Any idea how much it would cost to replace?


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    #9
    DublinDilbert
    Registered Users Posts: 5,366 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    wandererz wrote: »
    Thanks. Yes. There was some oil in it. I thought that simply clearing it out would be ok.

    There was oil there in the past, didn't think it would be the cause of this problem.

    Any idea how much it would cost to replace?

    That oil has come from inside the engine, so the sensor has oil inside it. I think they are about €150 new. Check with the user Burke (or similar name) here, before you replace it, he knows these bmws inside out.


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    #10
    wandererz
    Registered Users Posts: 2,525 ✭✭✭wandererz


    DublinDilbert wrote: »
    That oil has come from inside the engine, so the sensor has oil inside it. I think they are about €150 new. Check with the user Burke (or similar name) here, before you replace it, he knows these bmws inside out.

    Thanks for the information. I called up a BMW dealer and they quoted €480 for the excentric cam sensor .....:eek:

    Anyway, i applied some gasket sealant around that seal, cleaned out any drops of oil on the connectors and sent the car to my local mechanic to change the crankshaft sensor.

    Was a PITA to change apparently.

    Anyhow, job now done and car running smoothly again.


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