P0231 BMW Fault Code

Description:

BMW Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Intermittent The MAF sensor circuit is monitored by the PCM for sudden voltage (or air flow) input change through the comprehensive component monitor (CCM).

If during the last 40 warm-up cycles in key ON engine running the PCM detects a voltage (or air flow) change beyond the minimum or maximum calibrated limit, a continuous memory diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored.

P0231 Code Symptoms :

The P0231 Check Engine lamp is perhaps the most troubling of lights because it could mean so many different things, from you didn't screw the gas cap on tightly enough to look out for pistons flying through the hood and into the stratosphere. The easiest way to find out what this light is telling you is to hook your vehicle up to a scan tool. P0231 diagnostic tool looks a little like an oversized calculator and plugs into a communication port inside the car. After you instruct it to perform the scan, it speaks with your car's computers to find out exactly what's prompting the light to turn on.

Diagnosis And Repairing P0231

P0231 the main thing to check is to verify the operation of the VCT solenoid. You're looking for a sticking or stuck VCt solenoid valve caused by contamination. Refer to vehicle specific repair manual to perform component tests for the VCT unit.

How to fix P0231 code ?

• Failures of clutch motion/travel sensors.
• EVAP canister or fuel tank leaks
• Damaged camshaft position (CMP) sensor
• Ignition coils circuit poor electrical connection

Circuit High Input codes like P0231 are mostly caused by defective alternators that develop excessive voltages, although there may be other causes as well, such as short circuits that 'leak' current into a particular system from other, unrelated systems that work on higher voltages. Note that in the case of short circuits that leak power into a control circuit, there is likely to be other, seemingly unrelated trouble codes present along with the code(s) being investigated. Diagnosing a 'high input' code will always involve a thorough testing of the charging system as a first step, followed by measures to isolate the system from all other possible sources of power during resistance, continuity, and reference voltage tests.