Hello Mr. Schnabel, the answer to your first question is yes, it is very possible to have a code like that at that mileage. The issue is twofold, first age does come into play, now that sensor is 12 years old, secondly it is an electronic device in a very hot environment, that does cause than to fail sooner than they should.

The answer to your second question is also yes, the camshaft position sensor is something you should be able to replace yourself, however, it may not be the source of your issue. This code is a common issue with some cars, BMW has released what they call a Service Bulletin, the number for the bulletin that may apply to your car is 11.05.05. Here is what it says, see if your car falls in the production range.

SI B 11 05 05

Engine

December 2006

Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. B11 05 05 dated November 2006.

SUBJECT

N52 Engine Runs Poorly with Camshaft Sensor and VANOS Faults

MODEL

E90 (3 Series), E60 (5 Series) with N52 engine produced from 3/2005 through 6/2005

E90, E91 and E92 (3 Series) with N52KP and N54 engines from 7/2006 production

E85 and E84 (Z4) with N52 from 1/2006 production

E83 (X3) with N52 from 9/2006 production

SITUATION

Vehicles equipped with the N52, N52KP and N54 engines may be difficult to start, run rough and have the “Service Engine Soon” light illuminated.

Any of the following camshaft sensor or VANOS faults, as well as various misfire faults, may be stored in DME fault memory.

• 2A9A Cam sensor, inlet signal – signal invalid for synchronization
• 2A98 Crankshaft-inlet camshaft, correlation- Value outside reference range
• 2A82 VANOS intake- stiff, jammed mechanically
• 2A9B Cam sensor, exhaust signal – signal invalid for synchronization
• 2A99 Crankshaft- exhaust camshaft, correlation- Value outside reference range
• 2A87 VANOS exhaust- stiff, jammed mechanically

CAUSE

VANOS solenoid valve is jammed or sticking.

CORRECTION

On a customer complaint basis only, perform the diagnosis and repair procedure as described below.

PROCEDURE

E90 (3 Series), E60 (5 Series) with N52 only:

Remove the VANOS solenoid, intake or exhaust depending on the fault codes stored, and using shop air, gently blow out any visible particles and reinstall.

It is no longer necessary to replace the VANOS solenoid on the N52 Engine.

Reprogram the vehicle using CIP17.01 (Target data Status E89x-05-06-510), or higher for the E90 and Target data Status E060-05-06-500, or higher for the E60.

The modified MSV70 DME data contains additional VANOS solenoid activation logic to flush out any foreign particles.

E90, E91 and E92 (3 Series) with N52KP and N54 engine, E83, E85, E86 with N52 engine only:

Swap the faulted VANOS solenoid with the opposing solenoid to verify if the fault follows to opposing location. If the fault follows replace the VANOS solenoid.

PARTS INFORMATION

Part Number Description Quantity

11 36 7 516 293 VANOS Solenoid 1

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Defect Code Refer to KSD

Labor Operation: Refer to KSD

Labor Allowance: Refer to KSD

If it does apply to your car I would recommend that you have a competent independent shop or the dealership diagnose and repair the issue, you need a BMW scan tool and access to the BMW service website (by subscription only) in order to repair it. If it does not fall in the production date I would still recommend that you have someone diagnose and repair the issue. It is usually the VANOS actuator that fails, the camshaft position sensor just sees the results of that failure and assumes that the sensor is the cause.

Hope I could help. Thank you for the question.

Gil Neves