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C3397 BMW Fault Code

Check C3397 OBD Fault Code Reason
Description:

Catalytic converters must be warm before they can work properly. On a cold start the PCM provides a rich mixture to keep the cold engine running.
All that extra fuel goes into the catalytic converter. But the exhaust isn't very hot, because, ah, the engine is pretty cold. GM has employed several strategies to fire up the catalytic converter quicker and reduce cold start emissions. One way is to use a secondary air pump that pumps outside air directly into the catalytic converter.

C3397 Code Symptoms :

See C3397 in engine

The original multi-displacement system turned off opposite pairs of cylinders, allowing the engine to have three different configurations and displacements. C3397 code had an elaborate diagnostics procedure, including showing engine trouble codes on the air conditionning display. However, the system was troublesome, misunderstood by customers, and a rash of unpredictable failures led to the technology being quickly retired.

Diagnosis And Repairing C3397

C3397 OBD2 specifically refers to the camshaft (cam) timing. In this case, if the cam timing is over-retarded, the engine light will be illluminated and the code will be set.

How to fix C3397 code ?

See C3397 repair manual
  • Air fuel ratio (A/F) Sensor 1 Bank 1 harness is open or shorted
  • Faulty Intake Valve Timing Control Solenoid Valve
  • Engine Control Module (ECM)
  • Starting system circuit Dead (Weak) battery

Gear changes are accomplished by a command from the BMW TCM to energize the clutch actuator to release the clutch; after which various actuators inside the transmission disengage the current gear, and depending on current operating conditions, engage the next higher or lower gear ratio. All of this happens much faster than a human driver could change gears, and in most applications, gear changes are as smooth and seamless as on any fully automatic transmission.

BMW Cars that meet C3397 error