This page is a compilation of information I have found regarding the operations of single variable vanos using two solenoids as used by BMW in the S50B30 engine as well as the most comprehensive single file I have found regarding Vanos found online.
Here is a very comprehensive pdf file I found on some
chinese document website. It contains information on all of the vanos systems bmw offers.
http://rapidshare.com/files/454023393/bmw_mfp-pi_vanos_en.pdf
Some pics in german of the operations of the vanos system and the amount of travel on the inlet cam.
I don´t understand german so somebody else will have to make sense of these images and the information.
Added link to original bin file from the vanos controller
http://www.vems.hu/files/vanosinfo/BMW%20e36%20M3%203.0%20VANOS%20controller.txt
This is a bin file, map is located at 0x2800
and is 16*16, axis at 0x2810 and 0x2820 However if somebody wants to spend time decompiling this then everything about the control should be optainable.
Code is only about 8k out of the 32kb chip.
It seems that the tooth gears have equally spaced 8 teeth.
which means each tooth and gap make up 45degrees out of 360.
The alteration is max 42degrees of crank angle, while each tooth and gap is therefor 90degrees crank angle.
I´d imagine the rising edge of one gear(exhaust) to be leading against the adjustable gear (intake). So difference between both cams can be monitored 8times a cycle. I.e measuring the rising edge on the exhaust and note the crank angle, then wait for the intake cam rising edge and note the crank angle.
It seems the solenoids work in simple fashion,
Open Solenoid 1 and the intake advances, Open the other and it retards or vice versa.
The cam can´t move when both solenoids are closed so it stays in a fixed position.
The engine has 4 sensors
Crank sensor 60-2
Cam sensor TDC , one point (this is then not on the S50B32)
Intake cam sensor ,
Exhaust cam sensor ,
I´ll measure the solenoids resistance and report.