P3420 BMW Fault Code

Description:

Output Shaft Speed sensor circuit intermittent failure The output shaft speed sensor signal to the PCM is irregular or interrupted.
Harness connector not properly seated Harness intermittently shorted, or open Harness connector damaged OSS sensor damaged, or not installed properly Verify harness and connector integrity Verify OSS sensor proper installation.

P3420 Code Symptoms :

The original multi-displacement system turned off opposite pairs of cylinders, allowing the engine to have three different configurations and displacements. P3420 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 P3420

P3420 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 P3420 code ?

• EVAP system hose leaking
• Faulty front heated oxygen sensor
• EVAP canister or fuel tank leaks
• Improper ignition timing

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.