C0921 BMW Fault Code

Description:

The input turbine speed sensor detects rotation of the input shaft of the input shaft speed sensor transmission. The computer uses that information, along with the output shaft speed sensor to determine if the transmission is operating according to plan. If the computer detects a difference between the input shaft speed , and the expected output shaft speed, it will adjust transmission pump pressure to prevent clutch disc slip. If adding pressure doesn't solve the problem, it will set a trouble code.

C0921 Code Symptoms :

The original multi-displacement system turned off opposite pairs of cylinders, allowing the engine to have three different configurations and displacements. C0921 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 C0921

C0921 OBD2 reports a sensor fault, replacement of the sensor is unlikely to resolve the underlying problem. The fault is most likely to be caused by the systems that the sensor is monitoring, but might even be caused by the wiring to the sensor itself.

How to fix C0921 code ?

• Damaged VCT phaser
• Camshaft Position Sensor harness is open or shorted
• Improper ignition timing
• Missing or loose fuel cap

As long as the throttle plate remains closed, the idling speed and quality is controlled by the PCM via the idle control valve, and as can be seen from the above it should be clear that idle control on a gasoline engine is a complex affair.

For instance, if the engine is started in sub-zero temperatures, the PCM will command the idling control valve to allow less air to enter the engine to enrich the air/fuel mixture to create a condition which is roughly analogous to how chokes worked on carburetted engines to control idling in cold weather.