Couple issues with S50 car.

[Danny]

Okay so two issues with my car right now. My unloader relays do not work. I currently have k5 and k7 jumpered with a wire to get the windows and aux fan/blower motor to work. Problem is they are constantly hot. The battery will drain. I saw a post by Nando that I can ground pin 15 of the c101 to bypass the unloader relays. He won't answer my PM. Can anyone else verify?

Second issue is the car has absolutely no midrange. Engine has no feel of a misfire. Also idles very well. It pulls smoothly but with a distinct lack of power in the mid range. I have had the VANOS unit replaced with a Dr. Vanos unit by RyanGMW. Still have no midrange. the car is gutless until about 4500 rpms. I'm leaning toward VANOS solenoid but I have no check engine light. Kyle (Surebimmer) suggested replacing coils. Thoughts?

[berlow94]

If you are getting power after 4500 then my guess would be that VANOS is working. As to why there is no power before then? I would go through it all. plugs, coils, check intake, vacum, blah blah blah.

[Danny]

The following parts are all new:
Plugs
Vacuum system resealed (intake manifold gaskets, all vacuum lines and connectors, throttle body gasket, PVC system.)
Crank sensor
O2 sensor
Cam sensor
Tps
Vanos unit
Fuel pump
Fuel filter

[328ijunkie]

Vanos solenoid/wiring/timing causes exactly that

[Danny]

Vanos solenoid/wiring/timing causes exactly that

Have you ever seen a vanos solenoid go bad? Also any insight on the unloader relay issue?

[Jean]

Hmm, my m50v is pretty gutless as well, until 3-4k... always been like this since I bought the car. Keep us posted Danny if, but the vanos unit was replaced wasn't there a way to check the vanos with gt1 or whatnot that it's working?

[giantkeeper]

Vanos solenoids can go bad. Pull it out and clean it up. IIRC you can also test the single vanos solenoids.

[M-technik-3]

Have you ever seen a vanos solenoid go bad? Also any insight on the unloader relay issue?

It's common for it to fail above 125K mile range. They are cheap and easy to replace.

[Danny]

Hmm, my m50v is pretty gutless as well, until 3-4k... always been like this since I bought the car. Keep us posted Danny if, but the vanos unit was replaced wasn't there a way to check the vanos with gt1 or whatnot that it's working?

Yeah I have a gt1 at work I can at with. Planning on hooking it up tomorrow.

Vanos solenoids can go bad. Pull it out and clean it up. IIRC you can also test the single vanos solenoids.

Any idea on how to test?

It's common for it to fail above 125K mile range. They are cheap and easy to replace.

Cheap is relative. ;) thanks for all the help guys. Anyone have ideas on the unloader issue?

[giantkeeper]

Any idea on how to test?

http://drvanos.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12&Itemid=22

[Jean]

http://drvanos.com/index.php?option=...d=12&Itemid=22

Says not a typical failure...

(US Single Vanos Solenoids only) It's very rare that a vanos solenoid needs to be replaced. Typically the wire lead becomes damaged and breaks or shorts out, but the solenoids are otherwise very durable.

How to test your solenoid: Unplug the wire lead at the back of the solenoid from the main wiring harness first. Remove the solenoid from the vanos unit with a 32mm wrench, and jump the connector to a 12v power source and ground. Note that there is a + and - marking on the connector. Be SURE to connect the leads properly or you may damage the solenoid. The pin inside the solenoid should 'pop' out approximately 5mm. If not, the solenoid needs to be replaced.

[giantkeeper]

Says not a typical failure...

Yessir, every s50 car I've ever seen has that beat to shit wire.

[Danny]

Any insight on the unloader issue?

[328ijunkie]

C101/Starter Wiring...

[Bimmerman325i]

Danny, this will sound retarded but I managed to do it.

Does your car show low oil pressure light on startup/key on?

It is SUPER easy to switch vanos plug with oil pressure plug, and then you get no midrange, no CEL, and no misfires, along with no low oil pressure warning light at startup/cluster illumination on ignition.

Though I'm not sure E30 cluster will behave the same, it's been a while. Try swapping the two, it won't hurt the car, and see if that solves the issue.