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I've got a 98 318ti that is getting a fault code 211. According to my CarSoft program it says it is "idle actuator mechanically jammed". I've been told by another BMW mechanic that isn't the correct description, it is actually idle air problem, which could be a vacuum leak. I have replaced the idle air actuator, all vacuum lines in the engine compartment, and the intake gasket. It idles fine, about 750rpm. If I reset the code it comes back in about 2 or 3 starts. I should also tell you that the secondary air system is inop. I plugged the vacuum line to the secondary air valve and blocked the port between the secondary air valve and the exhaust. I don't see how that could give me the code since it will come back after a few warm starts, when the secondary air doesn't come on anyway. Any thoughts?

Submitted: 33 days and 4 hours ago.

Category: BMW

Value: $28

Status: CLOSED

Year: 1998
Make: BMW
Model: 318ti
Engine: 4 cyl.

Posted by Anthony 32 days and 23 hours ago.

Answer

Hello! Welcome to justanswer!

A BMW 211 Code is for a Knock Sensor. Namely Knock sensor 2. That would come up after 2 starts. the knock sensor 2 is mounted on the side of the engine right under the intake. #1 is right next to the oil filter and #2 is right between cylinders 3 and 4.

32 days and 21 hours ago.

Reply

Figures, its the one I should have changed while the intake was off! I'll pay you after I change the sensor and see if the light stays off.

Posted by Anthony 32 days and 21 hours ago.

Answer

Ok, sounds good. Do both.

32 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

Since I will be paying you $28 for a fairly simple answer, having the proper information, where can do-it-yourselfers BMW find code descriptions? The CarSoft descriptions I have are obviously wrong and had me going in the wrong direction. Thanks, Jim

Posted by Anthony 32 days and 4 hours ago.

Info Request

Do you want me to PDF all codes and defs and you can download it so you have it for yourself to keep? Would that help?

32 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

I thought you could see the previous reply/answers. I've been troubleshooting a check engine light on a 98 318ti and my CarSoft code reading software described a 211 code as "Idle-speed actuator mechanical jamming". In a previous answer Anthony said a code 211 is actually "knock sensor #2". So you see, if I had correct description for the code 211 I would not have had to ask for help. Thanks, Jim

Posted by Anthony 32 days and 4 hours ago.

Info Request

Its still me, Anthony. Im PDFing all of the codes and will send them to you in my next post so you wont have this trouble anymore. sound good?

32 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

Oh, I just saw the "info request" and didn't see your answer. Sorry about that. That would be great if you would do that. I ordered the knock sensor so it may be a few days, but I will accept if this fixes the problem. Thanks again for your help, Jim

Posted by Anthony 32 days and 3 hours ago.

Info Request

It took 20 minutes to make the code list. If you like and only if you like, take the code list as an answer or take the answer for the knock sensor as the answer. I cant give you "two answers" as that would be unfair to others here.

32 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

Okay, are you willing to wait until I get the sensor to see if it corrects the trouble?

Posted by Anthony 32 days and 3 hours ago.

Info Request

Sure or I can send you the 70 pages of the right code defs and if you like it, you can accept that as my answer if you want to. Either way, ill still be here and leave this question open.

32 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

I guess $28 is worth having the codes since I can use them in the future. Go ahead and send them.

Posted by Anthony 32 days and 3 hours ago.

Answer

Ok, its only a couple of pages out of the whole file but this is how it came out. See the file below:

CLICK HERE FOR CODE LIST

32 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

Not to be greedy, but I also own a 94 325ic and 98 328ic. Would those codes be considered another question?

Accepted Answer

I guess not, see below. This way you at least know what to ask about next time. Also the 318 code list is the same for the 328 so that list does both cars. Below is the 94 325 codes:

CLICK HERE FOR CODE LIST

Accepts:
Expert:	Anthony
Pos. Feedback:	98.6 %
Answered:	10/22/2009

ASE Certified Technician

ASE Master Automobile Technician since 2000 17 Years + Exp.

32 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

Cool, thanks for everything. Jim

Posted by Anthony 32 days and 2 hours ago.

Info Request

You bet and thank you also. If you ever need more help, Im here everyday.

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BMW

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Related Bmw Topics:

Question

Optional Information

Year: 1998
Make: BMW
Model: 318ti
Engine: 4 cyl.

Answer

Hello! Welcome to justanswer!

A BMW 211 Code is for a Knock Sensor. Namely Knock sensor 2. That would come up after 2 starts. the knock sensor 2 is mounted on the side of the engine right under the intake. #1 is right next to the oil filter and #2 is right between cylinders 3 and 4.

Reply

Figures, its the one I should have changed while the intake was off! I'll pay you after I change the sensor and see if the light stays off.

Answer

Ok, sounds good. Do both.

Reply

Since I will be paying you $28 for a fairly simple answer, having the proper information, where can do-it-yourselfers BMW find code descriptions? The CarSoft descriptions I have are obviously wrong and had me going in the wrong direction. Thanks, Jim

Info Request

Do you want me to PDF all codes and defs and you can download it so you have it for yourself to keep? Would that help?

Reply

Info Request

Its still me, Anthony. Im PDFing all of the codes and will send them to you in my next post so you wont have this trouble anymore. sound good?

Reply

Oh, I just saw the "info request" and didn't see your answer. Sorry about that. That would be great if you would do that. I ordered the knock sensor so it may be a few days, but I will accept if this fixes the problem. Thanks again for your help, Jim

Info Request

It took 20 minutes to make the code list. If you like and only if you like, take the code list as an answer or take the answer for the knock sensor as the answer. I cant give you "two answers" as that would be unfair to others here.

Reply

Okay, are you willing to wait until I get the sensor to see if it corrects the trouble?

Info Request

Sure or I can send you the 70 pages of the right code defs and if you like it, you can accept that as my answer if you want to. Either way, ill still be here and leave this question open.

Reply

I guess $28 is worth having the codes since I can use them in the future. Go ahead and send them.

Answer

Ok, its only a couple of pages out of the whole file but this is how it came out. See the file below:

CLICK HERE FOR CODE LIST

Reply

Not to be greedy, but I also own a 94 325ic and 98 328ic. Would those codes be considered another question?

Accepted Answer

I guess not, see below. This way you at least know what to ask about next time. Also the 318 code list is the same for the 328 so that list does both cars. Below is the 94 325 codes:

CLICK HERE FOR CODE LIST

Reply

Cool, thanks for everything. Jim

Info Request

You bet and thank you also. If you ever need more help, Im here everyday.

BMW

Have your own BMW question?

Related Bmw Topics:

Question

Optional Information

Year: 1998Make: BMWModel: 318tiEngine: 4 cyl.

Answer

Hello! Welcome to justanswer! A BMW 211 Code is for a Knock Sensor. Namely Knock sensor 2. That would come up after 2 starts. the knock sensor 2 is mounted on the side of the engine right under the intake. #1 is right next to the oil filter and #2 is right between cylinders 3 and 4.

Reply

Figures, its the one I should have changed while the intake was off! I'll pay you after I change the sensor and see if the light stays off.

Answer

Ok, sounds good. Do both.

Reply

Since I will be paying you $28 for a fairly simple answer, having the proper information, where can do-it-yourselfers BMW find code descriptions? The CarSoft descriptions I have are obviously wrong and had me going in the wrong direction. Thanks, Jim

Info Request

Do you want me to PDF all codes and defs and you can download it so you have it for yourself to keep? Would that help?

Reply

Info Request

Its still me, Anthony. Im PDFing all of the codes and will send them to you in my next post so you wont have this trouble anymore. sound good?

Reply

Oh, I just saw the "info request" and didn't see your answer. Sorry about that. That would be great if you would do that. I ordered the knock sensor so it may be a few days, but I will accept if this fixes the problem. Thanks again for your help, Jim

Info Request

It took 20 minutes to make the code list. If you like and only if you like, take the code list as an answer or take the answer for the knock sensor as the answer. I cant give you "two answers" as that would be unfair to others here.

Reply

Okay, are you willing to wait until I get the sensor to see if it corrects the trouble?

Info Request

Sure or I can send you the 70 pages of the right code defs and if you like it, you can accept that as my answer if you want to. Either way, ill still be here and leave this question open.

Reply

I guess $28 is worth having the codes since I can use them in the future. Go ahead and send them.

Answer

Ok, its only a couple of pages out of the whole file but this is how it came out. See the file below: CLICK HERE FOR CODE LIST

Reply

Not to be greedy, but I also own a 94 325ic and 98 328ic. Would those codes be considered another question?

Accepted Answer

I guess not, see below. This way you at least know what to ask about next time. Also the 318 code list is the same for the 328 so that list does both cars. Below is the 94 325 codes: CLICK HERE FOR CODE LIST

Reply

Cool, thanks for everything. Jim

Info Request

You bet and thank you also. If you ever need more help, Im here everyday.

Related BMW Questions

Year: 1998
Make: BMW
Model: 318ti
Engine: 4 cyl.

Hello! Welcome to justanswer!

A BMW 211 Code is for a Knock Sensor. Namely Knock sensor 2. That would come up after 2 starts. the knock sensor 2 is mounted on the side of the engine right under the intake. #1 is right next to the oil filter and #2 is right between cylinders 3 and 4.

Ok, its only a couple of pages out of the whole file but this is how it came out. See the file below:

CLICK HERE FOR CODE LIST

I guess not, see below. This way you at least know what to ask about next time. Also the 318 code list is the same for the 328 so that list does both cars. Below is the 94 325 codes:

CLICK HERE FOR CODE LIST