Error Code CC-ID 29 for my 2005 BMW118i (E87)

[m@rco]

Does anyone have experience how to reset the CC-ID 29 code from my (mom's) E87? For those of you not so familiar: that is European, 5-door, 1-series with a 2-liter, 4-cylinder, 127HP engine. The code is only visible in the hidden menu; under normal circumstances, the 'half-engine light' remains on. See pic below.

After some research online, I noticed that it could have to do with the timing, camshaft, and/or related sensors. My dad first received this code about a year ago, after a long, 700km high-way drive. No racing, and knowing him he had probably been cruising with the cruise control at 150km/hr (~95mph). Out of the blue, the engine light came on. The car continued to perform well. Upon return home, 100km later, he brought the car to the BMW dealer who couldn't find anything. They reset the code.

About a year later, two weeks ago, I drove the car. It is actually my 'old' car that I sold to my mom... I was leaving the parking lot and suddenly the 'half-engine light' came on. The car was immediately in 'limp mode'. That meant: no power, maximum rpm's reachable ~2500rpm, even when putting my foot down on the accelerator: no response. Since I had a long drive ahead (130km), I turned off the engine, and restarted it after 10 seconds. The engine started fine, full power was back, engine response is back to normal, but the code remains. Even after 2 weeks, the code doesn't 'remove' itself...

I have the impression that it is a simple sensor that is starting to go bad and throwing out a code every once in a while. The engine runs perfectly fine under all circumstances. The car now has about 205,000km (~130,000mls) on the gauge.

Any ideas guys what this could be? And how to reset the code (without paying $100+ for a dealer to diagnose something/nothing...)?

Thanks guys!

[Dackelone]

Does this engine have a VANOS sensor(s) ? IF so I would throw two new sensors in and see what happens. They seem to go out often on the N54/N55 engines. Especially with long oil change intervals(OCI).

Good Luck,
Dack



PS: I Google'd CC-ID 29 BMW and found these... (I think your gonna need a full scan tool in order to read the real code. See last url...


http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=656764

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243200

http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/bmw-3-s...c-id-29-a.html

[m@rco]

Many thanks for your response. I also did quite some research on various forums and came to the same conclusion: Need a full scan to fully understand the problem.

A bad sensor that throws out a bad code every once in a while is doable. But a new vanos/valvetronic system.... Hmmm, expensive.

By the way, this 2005 118i has the N46B20 engine [95 kW (129 PS; 127 hp) @ 5750 180 N·m (133 lb·ft) @ 3250rpm]. I believe that is is equipped with both VANOS (variable timing) and Valvetronic (variable valve lift system), only on inlet valves if I remember correctly.

[Dackelone]

Go to a shop that has a BMW scan tool and have your fault(s) read. Most shops charge one hour's labor rate for this. ~$120

Originally Posted by m@rco

Many thanks for your response. I also did quite some research on various forums and came to the same conclusion: Need a full scan to fully understand the problem.

A bad sensor that throws out a bad code every once in a while is doable. But a new vanos/valvetronic system.... Hmmm, expensive.

By the way, this 2005 118i has the N46B20 engine [95 kW (129 PS; 127 hp) @ 5750 180 N·m (133 lb·ft) @ 3250rpm]. I believe that is is equipped with both VANOS (variable timing) and Valvetronic (variable valve lift system), only on inlet valves if I remember correctly.

The Vanos sensor's are only around $130 each. You will need two. They do go bad. And on most engines they are easy to change.