Where is the BMW N55 intake solenoid valve located?
3 Answers
BMW N55 intake solenoid valve is installed in the engine compartment. Common fault symptoms: According to BMW's technical bulletin, common fault symptoms of the N55 engine include intermittent stalling without fault codes; abnormal noise or power loss; and engine failure to start after programming. Electronic throttle faults: In BMW models equipped with the N55 engine, due to certain reasons during use, the engine computer may report fault codes related to the electronic throttle control system, such as open circuit in the electronic throttle control system power supply, open circuit in the control motor V phase, short circuit to ground in the control motor, short circuit to positive, etc.
Hey, last time I tinkered with the N55 solenoid valve myself. It's hidden near the valve cover in the engine bay, right next to the intake manifold. You can spot it as soon as you pop the hood, roughly at the front-right side of the engine, surrounded by a bunch of pipes and wiring harnesses. When removing it, I had to disconnect the intake piping and sensor plugs first, then used a small wrench to handle those two mounting screws. Remember to buy OEM parts – aftermarket solenoids tend to get stuck within two months. Last time, my car idled so rough it felt like having spasms, but everything smoothed out immediately after replacement. Honestly, this part fails way too often – feels like a design flaw targeting car owners. I’d recommend keeping a set of tools in the trunk just in case.
Anyone who works on the N55 engine knows that the intake solenoid valve is located right on the top layer of the engine. Just follow the turbocharger pipe and you'll find it. When I encounter this issue during repairs, I always let the engine cool down first before working on it to avoid burns. This component has a significant impact on acceleration response. If it fails, you'll notice sluggish throttle response and a sharp increase in fuel consumption. My advice is to take a photo with your phone before disassembly to avoid reversing the wiring harness during reassembly. When installing a new one, remember to conduct a power-on test before final installation to prevent rework.