Good morning!
Having a slightly concerning issue with my Zed Happily cruising through the fine midlands countryside when suddenly I lost ALL power for a few seconds - hitting the gas made no difference until it kicked in again and jolted me back in my seat. This continued for a few minutes on and off and at the same time it would backfire or splutter just before the power would kick in again. This is an intermittent issue and has happened twice over the past 10 days.
My first thought was fuel filter but on a little more investigation using and OBD2 plus fault reading app its pulling up fault codes relating to - Camshaft position sensor and Oxygen sensor (which Im sure is the Lambda sensor). Now looking through threads on here it sounds like its more than likely one sensor creating an error in the other or vice versa.
Before going out and replacing the sensors I want to double check and see if anyone else has had this same issue and could it be something other than the sensors?
Sudden Loss of power + backfiring
Sudden Loss of power + backfiring
Last edited by Robin82 on Thu 30 Apr, 2015 11:04, edited 1 time in total.
- BladeRunner919
- Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
- Posts: 2225
Re: Sudden Loss of power + backfiring
Out of those two, the cam sensor is most likely. Make sure you clear all codes, then take it for a run and see what comes up, just to make sure you don't have any old codes in there. If you do change the cam sensor, make sure you use a genuine one, not a cheap ebay one.
Re: Sudden Loss of power + backfiring
Agree with Bladerunner sounds like Cam Sensor is causing this and setting an error for the Lambda.
Use an OEM sensor to replace it and do exactly like Bladerunner says regarding clearing the codes and resetting them if they are present before you swop the sensor.
Run it with the new sensor fitted and then check for codes again, with an OEM replacement you shouldn't get the Cam Sensor code appear again. If you get a Lambda code then that may need further investigation.
You are quite right in thinking one duff sensor can affect other sensors, I chased a fault with mine started with the Cam sensor then the lambdas, root of all my problems was the Maf in the end.
Colb
Use an OEM sensor to replace it and do exactly like Bladerunner says regarding clearing the codes and resetting them if they are present before you swop the sensor.
Run it with the new sensor fitted and then check for codes again, with an OEM replacement you shouldn't get the Cam Sensor code appear again. If you get a Lambda code then that may need further investigation.
You are quite right in thinking one duff sensor can affect other sensors, I chased a fault with mine started with the Cam sensor then the lambdas, root of all my problems was the Maf in the end.
Colb
Colb
1999 BMW 1.8 Z3
2003 BMW 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville NT650V
1999 BMW 1.8 Z3
2003 BMW 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville NT650V
Re: Sudden Loss of power + backfiring
I've also noticed a sluggishness since this issue arose - feels more labored through the gears..
So the symptoms I'm experiencing more than likely point to the Camshaft Sensor or at least one of the sensors..? As its throwing up a fault I should replace anyway.
So the symptoms I'm experiencing more than likely point to the Camshaft Sensor or at least one of the sensors..? As its throwing up a fault I should replace anyway.
Re: Sudden Loss of power + backfiring
Lambda sensors communicate with the MAF and ECU to "fine tune" the combustion mixture. Sometimes they throw an error code because the combustion mixture being thrown at them is so far from perfect that they are unable to cope with the job of "fine tuning" it. As indicated already, a good lambda sensor can therefore throw a code because there is a more significant fault elsewhere. On the other hand, faulty cam sensors often tend to cause pronounced driving symptoms and a fault-free cam sensor would not usually throw a code. Personally, I would put the cam sensor under the spotlight as already suggested above.
Re: Sudden Loss of power + backfiring
Colb - after reading a few of your older posts regards fault chasing - I can see why you don't recommend cheaper ebay parts - my god! You must've spent a small fortune in the end!
Del - with the camshaft sensor potentially throwing out more pronounced symptoms makes perfect sense or at least like you guys say first port of call. Not that I want to start chasing a gremlin all round my car.
Before replacing would you recommend I buy a more in depth diagnostic - like INPA as opposed to just OBD2?
Del - with the camshaft sensor potentially throwing out more pronounced symptoms makes perfect sense or at least like you guys say first port of call. Not that I want to start chasing a gremlin all round my car.
Before replacing would you recommend I buy a more in depth diagnostic - like INPA as opposed to just OBD2?
Re: Sudden Loss of power + backfiring
Robin
Yes small fortune spent despite reading earlier posts about avoiding pattern parts, talked myself into trying them, big mistake!!
INPA would be a wise investment over the generic OBD2 readers, I have them all now. Still rely on the OBD2 set up on laptop and a wireless version on an Ipad, really quick to use.
The Inpa software is large so will take up a lot of your hard drive but is far more detailed and capable on the BMW range.
I have played with it but since solving all my issues I have had no further codes and car runs like a dream, touching wood whilst I typed the last bit!!
Del is well informed with the workings of Inpa lots of previous posts by him and others on its use.
Despite spending out on duff pattern parts I must have saved a fortune being able to read the codes myself.
Bonus with all of my OBD2 kit is that it works on the rest of the family cars, Kia, Suzuki, and Daihatsu.
Last problem was a duff heater circuit on the Daihatsu Lambda, OBD2 identified the code it set and cleared it to turn off the EML. Ran the car so it repeated the error and then bought and fitted a new lambda. Reset codes and tested, all fixed. Sensor cost was £60, had a garage done the job I hate to think what the final bill would have been.
Colb
Yes small fortune spent despite reading earlier posts about avoiding pattern parts, talked myself into trying them, big mistake!!
INPA would be a wise investment over the generic OBD2 readers, I have them all now. Still rely on the OBD2 set up on laptop and a wireless version on an Ipad, really quick to use.
The Inpa software is large so will take up a lot of your hard drive but is far more detailed and capable on the BMW range.
I have played with it but since solving all my issues I have had no further codes and car runs like a dream, touching wood whilst I typed the last bit!!
Del is well informed with the workings of Inpa lots of previous posts by him and others on its use.
Despite spending out on duff pattern parts I must have saved a fortune being able to read the codes myself.
Bonus with all of my OBD2 kit is that it works on the rest of the family cars, Kia, Suzuki, and Daihatsu.
Last problem was a duff heater circuit on the Daihatsu Lambda, OBD2 identified the code it set and cleared it to turn off the EML. Ran the car so it repeated the error and then bought and fitted a new lambda. Reset codes and tested, all fixed. Sensor cost was £60, had a garage done the job I hate to think what the final bill would have been.
Colb
Colb
1999 BMW 1.8 Z3
2003 BMW 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville NT650V
1999 BMW 1.8 Z3
2003 BMW 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville NT650V
Re: Sudden Loss of power + backfiring
Thanks for the advice colb. I've cleared the codes a few times now and the camashaft sensor is persistent in returning. If I took it to a mechanic he would only advise me to replace anyway - if i'm still having problems after replacing then I'll look at doing some deeper diagnostics with INPA. I'll probably do this anyway in due course.
Do you have a link to the OEM part you bought? Looking through the usual car part sites there are no branded sensors - I didn't want to just buy the most expensive part and hope it was the OEM part.
I really have lost total confidence in garages (maybe I've just been unlucky) I always feel I may as well write them a blank cheque. I don't really have a choice with my other cars but at least with the zed we can near enough DIY _almost_ everything - especially with the huge wealth of information now available
Do you have a link to the OEM part you bought? Looking through the usual car part sites there are no branded sensors - I didn't want to just buy the most expensive part and hope it was the OEM part.
I really have lost total confidence in garages (maybe I've just been unlucky) I always feel I may as well write them a blank cheque. I don't really have a choice with my other cars but at least with the zed we can near enough DIY _almost_ everything - especially with the huge wealth of information now available
- BladeRunner919
- Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
- Posts: 2225
Re: Sudden Loss of power + backfiring
I'd suggest you buy one from a dealer - then there's no doubt that it's a genuine part.
Re: Sudden Loss of power + backfiring
Yes get one from BMW that's what I did after trying a pattern part which didn't solve the issues.
Colb
Colb
Colb
1999 BMW 1.8 Z3
2003 BMW 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville NT650V
1999 BMW 1.8 Z3
2003 BMW 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville NT650V