8 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHS.O.S - Variocam related
Reported or suspected cause
dirty connections
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Leading evidence: 'dirty connections' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'dirty connections' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check 996 & boxster sections' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I cleaned the contacts and have been trouble free for over 4000 km.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
When I tested the solenoid with the engine off the click wasnt easy to hear until I put my head up to it.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
It the solenoid clicks but the engine sound doesn't change, it's likely an actuator issue.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
If you hop over to Renntech (and maybe subscribe ?) you'll find a geekish treasure trove of Variocam diagnostics.Check both 996 & Boxster sections.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
8 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
Car seems to run strong, idle is mostly pretty steady but sometimes when the engine warms up it drops a tiny bit and then goes back to normal.
Recently during a drive my CEL turned on. Ran the generic scanner and the only code was P1531 (Cam Adjustment Bank 1).
I reset the ECU to see if it would come back and sure enough 20 miles later the CEL popped up again with the same code.
I then decided to unplug the solenoid connector and hook it up to a 12v battery to see if it clicks and it actually DOES click.
Car seems to run strong, idle is mostly pretty steady but sometimes when the engine warms up it drops a tiny bit and then goes back to normal.
My questions are:
If the solenoid was bad would it still click when tested?
If the solenoid is "intermittenly" bad would it still cause the CEL as I've read it only pops up on ultimate failure?
Can the actuator be bad and cause a CEL?
Any tips or things to look into would be greatly appreciated!
Recently had to replace a crank position sensor due to hot stalling (No CEL during this issue). Hasn't died since the replacement but I wonder if these two could be related in some way??
The car is a 99 C2 3.4 with about 102k miles.
Do you have a Durametric? If not, try apply 12v to the aolenoid while the engine is idling. It the solenoid clicks but the engine sound doesn't change, it's likely an actuator issue.
If the engine sound changes, you likely have a wiring or DME transistor issue.
I had a similar issue with first with Bank 1, then with Bank 2. Turned out to be dirty connections. I cleaned the contacts and have been trouble free for over 4000 km. Mine was also a 99 C2.
No durametric
. When I tested the solenoid with the engine off the click wasnt easy to hear until I put my head up to it. I have bypass pipes plus a transmission mount both of which cause lots of noise. Is the click suppose to be very noticeable?
Where are these transistors located?
Were your connectors noticeably dirty or did they look okay and you just decided to clean them? Mine didnt seem to be bad from just looking at it
You won't be able to hear it clicks when the engine is running but if the solenoid and actuator are working, the engine note will change.
The transistor is inside the DME, visible and will have electrical burnt smell. There are a few modes of failure so you really need to narrow it down. Try to search here, I've helped a few to diagnose this code
If you hop over to Renntech (and maybe subscribe ?) you'll find a geekish treasure trove of Variocam diagnostics.Check both 996 & Boxster sections.
Meanwhile try Deoxit on the connector pins & sockets.
Understand that without Durametric this may be a blind fishing expedition.You can wast a lot of time and money on this hunt w/o Durametric.
For Durametric users ,note they(Durametric) have yet another secret(??)update out very recently.I used it today.
I am laboring the Durametric proposal because not only did I find it indispensable, the data it provides can be shared with Variocam warriors and with that data they can help you. Without it we can only really give sympathy and weak suggestions like Deoxit.
For example the audible click of the $1000 solenoid - one sad nerd on Renntech describes how to overcome the detection issue. Wear 1 long-arm ,heat resistant glove, underneath the car ,with the engine(
warmed up completely
!) operate the solenoids with your 9v power source and MOM switch - BUT with your finger on the Solenoid. You will feel the impact of it slamming open/shut if it is working. Really ,all I wore was 1 glove and played Thriller on the boombox !
But you really need some prior measurements of Deviation and Actual angles vs revs.
Do you know of a good Indie perhaps?
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
