Family Wagon 23 Report post Posted April 21, 2015 Hi there, Looking for a Vanos Solenoid for E36 M3 1995 NZ New S50B30. Existing one seems to be failing intermittently, everything else in the Vanos has been rebuilt. Hoping to find one quickly and not too crazy $ - track day on Monday! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Family Wagon 23 Report post Posted April 22, 2015 Thanks Dave, I know, it's weird to fail that way. I quizzed my mech and they say they've cleaned and tested it umpteen times, they think it's shorting within the actual solenoid. There's a second hand one available from down the line, but you are right I need to be 100% sure my current one can't be recovered. Even second hand they are pricey. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KwS 2372 Report post Posted April 22, 2015 have you tried re-soldering the circuit board contacts? Fairly common point of failure there and can cause intermittent failure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KwS 2372 Report post Posted April 22, 2015 if you want to test them yourself, its pretty easy. I outline the details when i did mine here, http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/49996-diy-s50b30-vanos-rebuild-info/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Family Wagon 23 Report post Posted April 22, 2015 Hi Kelvin, yes, that's a good suggestion about the circuit board, and I'm aware the wires themselves can dry and break but they seemed to think it is shorting inside the solenoid. I'll do more quizzing in the morning and see. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Family Wagon 23 Report post Posted April 22, 2015 Hey Dave That's an awesome offer to test the solenoid at your place. Where are you based? If nothing else I'd just love to see your car! We can PM about the details. Second hand part seems to run about six hundy or so. New was $1k + Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KwS 2372 Report post Posted April 22, 2015 had a look for a whole vanos unit on ebay from the Uk or something? Probably not a hell of a lot more expensive and will have spares. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Family Wagon 23 Report post Posted April 22, 2015 True, I think rebuilt units could be found for the new price of the solenoid. I've got a number of track days lined up (already paid for) so the timeframe to source a whole unit from offshore would be a bit of a problem. I've got a the second hand solenoid coming up from down the line tomorrow, but before we install it I have to ensure there's no chance of resurrecting the existing solenoid or tracing the problem elsewhere. I'm certainly blowing my vanos rebuild budget. I bought the beisan kit and thought it'd be more straight forward... Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
