Strange Car Problems

[Ninkumpoop]

Since last night, my car's been acting really strange. At first, everything seemed normal. I put gas, drove on the freeway, floored it, and all of a sudden there was a machine-gun amount of backfire around 5,000 RPM. Then today in the morning, I tried it again to see if the problem went away on it's own or if it was a strange one-time deal. I floored it a few times, and every single time, it machine-gun backfired.

Then all of a sudden, there was a sound from my engine like it was a diesel engine. It follows the RPMs, so if RPM is higher, the frequency and volume of the noise increases. At idle, it vibrates pretty bad. It idles smooth during idle and cruise, just has that annoying vibration and noise. I took off each spark plug one by one to see if there was a bottom-end issue but the noise didn't change. I removed the head-covers and none of the springs are messed up and the cam-chain has sufficient tension on it.

I checked my AP when the problem first occured and I got nothing new. I checked the AP after driving back home from school and got a P2088 code: "P2088 CMP actuator circuit low ON 2 CCM."

So my questions are:
What does "P2088 CMP actuator circuit low ON 2 CCM" mean?
Any idea on what else the problem might be?

 

[oaklandopen]

check the electrical connections so see if it came loose. the cmp actuator has to do with the variable valve timing (i beleive) so check all the wires going towards where the cams would be

if they're connected than you can disconnect and check the terminals for damage or dirt

if these simple things don't help then take it to the dealer if it's still under warranty

and i think "on 2 ccm" means that the condition was monitored twice.

somoene more expertish should chime in

 

[meicalnissyen]

check the electrical connections so see if it came loose. the cmp actuator has to do with the variable valve timing (i beleive) so check all the wires going towards where the cams would be

if they're connected than you can disconnect and check the terminals for damage or dirt

if these simple things don't help then take it to the dealer if it's still under warranty

and i think "on 2 ccm" means that the condition was monitored twice.

somoene more expertish should chime in

There is a TSB on the bolt holding the VVT actuator, Dunno if a failure there would throw the CEL though

 

[Ninkumpoop]

There is a TSB on the bolt holding the VVT actuator, Dunno if a failure there would throw the CEL though

Does it apply to the '09 Speed3's? I'll check the connections and such when it stops raining. Also, any idea on where the connections are located?

EDIT: I somehow read and completely ignored Oaklandopen's advice about the wires being near the cams. I'll check it sometime today.

 

[Ninkumpoop]

Alright so I checked the connections and nothing is loose or damaged. I'll check the actuator...as soon as someone can tell me where it's located. I don't have access to AllData or any other source when I'm out of school so anyone willing to give advice?