BMW fault codes 2A82 and 2A87: VANOS solenoid (intake and exhaust)
2A82 is 'VANOS intake, control fault' and 2A87 is 'VANOS exhaust, control fault': the DME cannot move the camshaft to the requested position.
What a buyer should take from 2A82
On its own, 2A82 / 2A87 is usually a cheap fix (solenoid or O-rings, under £150) and a seller saying 'it just needs a VANOS solenoid' is often right. Treat it as a red flag only when it comes with cam-crank correlation codes (P0016 / P0017), a rattle that lasts more than two seconds on cold start, or a patchy oil-change history. Those combinations mean the chain or the actuator, not the £60 part.
Symptoms that go with 2A82
- Engine warning light, often with a rough or hunting idle
- Hesitation or flat spot on acceleration, sometimes a limp mode
- Rattle from the front of the engine on cold start (VANOS rattle, distinct from timing-chain rattle)
- Poor fuel economy and a slightly rough cold start
- Code returns within a few miles of being cleared
Causes, most likely first
Systems involved: VANOS variable valve timing, engine oil supply. Costs are indicative UK independent-specialist figures for 2026; main dealers add 30 to 60 per cent.
| Cause | How likely | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|---|
| VANOS solenoid clogged with oil varnish or failed electrically Swap intake and exhaust solenoids; if the code follows the solenoid, replace it | Most common | £60 to £120 per solenoid, 20 minutes |
| Low oil level or degraded oil starving the solenoid Always the first check; the code can clear after an oil change | Common | £80 to £150 oil service |
| Torn or missing solenoid O-ring seals letting pressure bleed Often the real cause when a new solenoid did not fix it | Common | £10 to £30 |
| VANOS actuator (cam phaser) worn or stuck More likely past 120,000 miles or with poor oil history | Uncommon | £400 to £900 per side |
| Timing chain stretched enough to upset cam position (N20, early B48) Usually accompanied by P0016 / P0017 cam-crank correlation codes | Uncommon | £1,200 to £2,200 |
| Wiring or connector damage at the solenoid Check for chafed loom near the front of the head | Rare | £50 to £200 |
How to diagnose it, cheapest first
- Check oil level and service history first; top up and clear the code if low
- Swap the two solenoids (10 mm bolt each) and clear the codes; if 2A82 becomes 2A87 the solenoid is at fault
- Inspect the solenoid O-rings and the mesh screens for debris
- Live-data test: commanded versus actual cam angle in ISTA or Bimmerlink; a lag of more than 5 to 10 degrees points at the actuator
- If P0016 / P0017 are also stored, move to the timing-chain checks before spending on VANOS parts
Buy, negotiate, or walk away
Fine to buy
Code alone, oil level fine, no cold-start rattle beyond a second, recent solenoid receipt or a seller who will let you swap-test on the drive.
Negotiate
Code stored with no diagnosis, oil overdue, or a solenoid already replaced without curing it: price in £400 to £900 for an actuator.
Walk away
2A82 / 2A87 together with P0016 / P0017 and a persistent cold-start rattle on an N20, N47-era petrol or early B48 with no chain history.
Seen 2A82 on a listing or a scan?
Paste the listing, reg or VIN. Bimmer.AI identifies the exact engine, applies its known failures and costs, and tells you whether this code is a £60 part or a £2,000 conversation on that car.
Run a Bimmer.AI buyer report →Fault-code guidance on this page is general and engine-family based. The same code can have different causes on different engines and years; a proper diagnosis with live data by a BMW specialist is the only way to be sure. Costs are indicative UK ranges that vary by region and parts supply.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive a BMW with fault code 2A82?
Short distances, yes; the DME usually holds the cam in a safe default and the car runs a little rough. Do not ignore it for weeks, because a solenoid starved of clean oil can be the first sign of an oil-supply problem that damages the cam phaser. Check the oil level today and fix the solenoid within a week or two.
Which VANOS solenoid is 2A82?
2A82 is the intake camshaft solenoid; 2A87 is the exhaust camshaft solenoid. They are the same part number on most N52 / N54 / N55 / N20 engines, which is why the swap test works: move them over, clear the codes, and see whether the fault follows the solenoid or stays with the bank.
Does 2A82 mean the timing chain is failing?
Not by itself. It becomes a chain conversation when P0016 or P0017 (cam-crank correlation) is stored alongside, on an engine with a known chain history (N20, N26, early B48), with a cold-start rattle that lasts. Without those, start with oil and the solenoid.
How much does a BMW VANOS solenoid cost in the UK?
£60 to £120 for a genuine or OE-supplier solenoid, sometimes sold as a pair for £120 to £200. Fitting is one 10 mm bolt per solenoid, so an independent will charge 20 to 30 minutes of labour, or you can do it yourself. A VANOS actuator (cam phaser) is a different job at £400 to £900 a side.