This past Saturday night had a weird occurrence. CEL came on and found I had no boost in 6th gear. Car had no other problems and I was able to get it home without any more trouble. Hooked up the code reader and got P0012 & P144B. Did some quick research here, nothing conclusive but one of the suggestions was bad gas and/or low oil. I had just filled up that day, don't know if that had anything to do with it. I checked the oil level - its fine.

On successive runs in the car, I found that I could trip the code again by pressing on the accel pedal. After the CEL light came on, you could mashed the accel and the car basically acted like it was ignoring you - no acceleration hardly at all - no 'jump' in the acceleration.

Car is in the shop today since it's under warranty, but the past couple of days I haven't really been able to trip the CEL again, but the past codes are still there. The computer has shut off the CEL in the two displays. When I use my little tool to clear the codes, it says that it has but they're still there. The Automatic (www.automatic.com) OBD dongle can't clear them either.

Is this some BMW scheme to get you to the shop, or what? Any tricks to know when trying to clear codes from the computer?

BTW, 2011 MCS.

 

I got the P0012 code 2 weeks ago and was able to clear it with the AUTOMATIC dongle. I did need to replace my vanos actuator on my base cooper. P0012 never came back since then.

 

Kelly, try the process listed here:
http://www.*********************/for...#axzz2nCBU1uuy

It will allow you to clear the engine codes and the CEL codes. Its a bit difficult to get it to work, so be patient and be careful.

 

So, you think you could try that URL again?

 

The forum killed the source url. Insert "****************<dot>com" in place of the asterisks.

The youtube video is here:

 

GRRR...

Kelly, check your PM's. I sent it to you.

 

Thanks man, I eventually got it. I've seen a video of this before and I've used it too to diagnose a thermostat (you get to the CTMP-MON menu and it displays "***" for the reading - bad thermostat). I don't really see how this is used to clear CEL codes BUT I'll try it next time it happens. The car is in the shop again today. I'll make sure my cheapie Actron reads nothing in the engine. Thanks again, I'll give you a + rating.

 

same code p0012 here, for the 4th time in a year. Past 3 times cleared and written off,(once by my dad's auto shop, once by a local mini shop, and once by the dealer ON MONDAY) Called dealer again today and something in the Vanos system is the thought of the service manager. We'll see. What'd they finally say for you, Kelly?

 

Look up a few replies for lucyl's. It was the same with me. Tech somehow knew from those codes that the VANOS solenoid was buggered and that it needed replacing. Makes sense I guess since when I stepped on the accel a little hard and there was no jump in the acceleration. I guess I would have this evaluated if I were you.

 

yup. thats what they replaced today, we shall see if they got it.

 

Let us know. You should know right away if, when cruising on the interstate, you are able to get good acceleration if you mash the pedal. At least that was my problem. Are you auto or manual?