BMW VANOS Solenoids

The BMW Vanos system uses a non-conventional system with separate solenoids for advance and retard. To control these systems the Valve Type setting needs to be set to Dual Solenoid and two auxiliary outputs need to be wired to each cam.

BMW Single VANOS

The BMW Vanos system uses a non-conventional system with separate solenoids for advance and retard. To control these systems the Valve Type setting needs to be set to Dual Solenoid and two auxiliary outputs need to be wired to each cam.

A modification to the vehicle must be made before the system will operate correctly.

BMW S50 - The connectors on the solenoids contain diodes that need to be removed. The best option is to replace the connector with an general purpose aftermarket connector. The following shows the correct wiring method.

BMW S50 VANOS Wiring

BMW S54 - The VANOS module contains diodes that need to be removed. The following diagram shows the location of these diodes.

BMW S50 VANOS Diode Removal

The diodes can be carefully removed by heating up one end with a soldering iron and prying up this end. The other end can then be heated and the diode will fall away. Remove all four diodes.

Pins 2 and 5 on the connector must be changed to be supplied with '12V key on' rather than ground as wired by the OEM. An additional relay may be required.