Car Diagnostics
BMW e39, e53, e46 and many others have a lot of sensors and other electrical devices that can be diagnosed. Diagnosing a car can be done at a specialised service station or at home. Unfortunately, this procedure is not cheap at the service station, so this guide will be useful for those car owners who decide to check their trip computer themselves.
To test your car yourself, you will need
- A personal computer or laptop (it is better to choose the latter as it is more compact) with a COM port.
- Diagnostic equipment, in particular an Inpa or Carsfot scanner. The first one has been recognised by local motorists: in Russian and Ukrainian service stations, it is rare to find other equipment, mainly Inpa.
- Com cable.
Official diagnostic software (mainly the DIS utility is used for BMW cars).
So you need to connect the Inpa diagnostic equipment to the laptop on which the DIS programme is to be installed and to the BMW’s on-board computer. Once the software has been correctly installed, you can proceed to check the BC (onboard computer) for malfunctions. However, checking the vehicle is only the first step in troubleshooting. During diagnosis, certain codes will appear on the laptop screen, indicating the presence of a specific fault. How to understand them?
Decoding the codes
In this case, you will need to decode the codes to find out exactly what is wrong with your car. In the case of BMW diagnostics, codes with letters may appear on the laptop screen. What do these letters mean? This is where you need a specialist translation, but our website has prepared a decryption of the codes of the onboard computer especially for BMW owners.
P – Transmission fault detected;
B – bodywork fault;
C – malfunction of the chassis.
Here are the most common errors found when checking BMW onboard computers
Air, pressure and temperature sensors
| The code | Description |
| P0100 – P0103 | The on-board computer of the car reports a defect in the operation of the air flow sensor, or in the operation of the electrical circuit of the device. |
| P0105 – P0108 | The BC detected a malfunction in the functioning of the air pressure measuring device – a sensor replacement is necessary. |
| P0110 – P0113 | Defects were detected in the operation of the intake air temperature control device. |
| P0115 – P0118 | The antifreeze temperature sensor in the cooling system is malfunctioning or malfunctioning – for correct operation, the device must be replaced. |
| P0120 – P0123 | Incorrect operation of one of the throttle position sensors was registered; to eliminate the error, it is necessary to replace the element. |
| P0130 – P0166 | The vehicle system has fixed a malfunction or an incorrect signal from one of the oxygen signal sensors – incorrect information about the state of the system may be received on the car dashboard. To eliminate the malfunction, the oxygen sensor must be replaced. You should also diagnose the electrical circuit. |
| P0167 | The vehicle’s on-board computer reports an incorrect operation of the heating component of the oxygen sensor. |
| P0171, P0172 | Incorrect air suction operation (too poor or too rich mixture is recorded in the system). |
| P0176 – P0179 | BC informs the car owner about the malfunctioning or failure of the emission sensor. There is also the possibility of an incorrect signal, which requires an electrical circuit check. |
| P0180 – P0181 | The on-board computer has detected a malfunction in the fuel control device or the signal from the sensor is incorrect. It is necessary to make replacement of the component , and also check the chain . |
| P0182 – P0188 | The BMW system reports that the fuel temperature sensor signal is too low or too high, or the signal from the device is out of range. |
| P0190 | This code indicates a malfunction in the circuit of the diesel pressure control device in the ramp. |
| P0191 – P0194 | Incorrect signals are detected in the circuit of the fuel rail pressure control device. Circuit diagnostics should be performed or the sensor replaced . |
| P0195 | Indicates defects in the operation of the circuit of the temperature control component of the engine fluid in the system. |
| P0196 | The signal from the temperature sensor for the engine fluid is incorrect. A more thorough diagnosis of the sensor should be made . |
| P0197 – P0199 | Defects in the operation of the temperature control element of the lubricant in the motor are fixed. It is necessary to make replacement of the component . |
| P0450 – P0455 | A malfunction was detected in the system in the operation of the diesel vapor pressure control device. |
| P0460 – P0464 | One of these combinations indicates a malfunction in the device for monitoring the level of diesel fuel. In particular, it can be a question of either an overestimated or underestimated signal from a component, or its breakdown. It test circuit and with the need to produce a replacement sensor . |
| P0465 – P0469 | The system informs the car owner about any defects in the operation of the purge air flow control device. Here, we can also talk about incorrect signals from the sensor, as well as a malfunction in the operation of the device. Therefore, a circuit diagnosis should be made and, if necessary, the sensor replaced. |
| P0470 – P0474 | The appearance of one of these combinations of numbers when checking a car can indicate a defect in the operation of the exhaust gas control device, as well as an incorrect signal from this sensor. |
| P0475 | The valve for the exhaust pressure sensor is out of order. It is necessary to replace the item . |
| P0385 – P0386 | Incorrect operation of the crankshaft position sensor is reported . Also should replace the component . |
| P0404 – P0408 | BC recorded a malfunction in the operation of the first or second sensor of the exhaust gas circulation system. A more thorough diagnosis of the element should be made and, if necessary, replaced. |
| P0220 | Defective operation of the second throttle position control device. |
| P0222 – P0224 | There is an inaccuracy in the operation of the second throttle sensor: the signal coming from this element is too low or excessively high. |
| P0225 – P0229 | Inaccuracies in the functioning of the third throttle sensor – you should check the device and, if necessary, replace it with a new one. |
Electrical circuit
| The code | Description |
| P0201 – P0212 | BC reports a malfunction in the electrical circuit control 1-12 nozzles. It is necessary to check the circuit . |
| P0213, P0214 | Defects or incorrect signals are detected in the control circuit of the first or second engine cold start injector. |
| P0216 | BC recorded errors in the operation of the injection time control circuit. |
| P0261 – P0296 | The on-board computer of the car detects an open in the circuit, defects in the driver or a short circuit of the cylinder nozzle to the ground. |
| P0300 – P0312 | The system reports the detection of single or regular misfire in the cylinders. Here, a defect can be observed in any of the twelve cylinders . |
| P0320 | This code indicates defects in the operation of the ignition distributor circuit. |
| P0321 – P0323 | When this code occurs, the BC detects incorrect signals in the ignition distributor circuit. The signal can be either too low or too high. In addition, it may be absent or out of range. In this case , a circuit check is recommended . |
| P0350 – P0362 | Fixed a malfunction in the circuit or a defect in the operation of the ignition coil. Verification of all twelve ignition coils is required . |
| P0560 – P0563 | Incorrect voltage in the system power supply: can be either too low or excessively high. Additional diagnostics of the system power circuit are required . |
| P0565 – P0566 | If one of these two codes appears, a cruise control circuit diagnosis is required because the circuit signal is incorrect. |
| P1140 | Invalid load circuit signal, more thorough check required. |
| P0325 – P0334 | The appearance of these codes during vehicle diagnostics indicates the presence of errors in the operation of the circuit of the first or second knock sensor. In particular, the signal may be out of range, or too low or too high. It is necessary to test circuit sensor detonation . |
| P0337 – P0339 | The appearance of this combination of numbers on the laptop screen when checking the car indicates a short circuit or an incorrect signal in the crankshaft position sensor circuit. It should check circuit and replace the device . |
| P0340 – P0344 | Fixed malfunctions in the functioning of the camshaft sensor circuit. As in the previous case, the circuit must be checked or the component replaced. |
| P0476 – P0479 | The on-board computer reports a malfunction in the circuit of the exhaust gas pressure monitor. In particular, the signal from the sensor may be out of range. It may also be too high or too low. It is necessary to more thoroughly check the components of the electrical circuit. |
| P0480 | Defects in the functioning of the control circuit of the relay by the cooling fan are fixed. The circuit should be checked or the fan replaced for more correct operation. |
| P0500 – P0503 | There is no signal from the vehicle speed sensor. You can try to replace the device itself or check the entire circuit. |
| P1509 | There were problems in the operation of the electrical control circuit of the idle control device. |
| P1513 | If this combination appears during a BMW diagnosis , check the idle speed control circuit for malfunctions. Code R1513 indicates a fault chain on the ground . |
| P1514 | There is a problem with the idle sensor control circuit. In particular , the BC recorded an open circuit . |
| P1541 | An interruption in the electrical control circuit of the relay for the gasoline pump is reported. For correct operation, it is necessary to identify in which place a break occurred and eliminate it. |
| P1570 | This combination indicates an open circuit of the immobilizer circuit . |
| P1600 | Lost communication with immobilizer device . |
| P1602 | BC reports the loss of signal from the controller. |
| P0389 | Incorrect operation of the electric circuit of the second crankshaft position sensor is noticed. |
| P0400 – P0403 | One of these combinations of numbers indicates a malfunction in the circuit of the exhaust gas circulation system. |
| P0221 | There are defects in the electrical circuit of the second throttle sensor. In particular, the signal from this component is inaccurate because it is out of range. |
| P0230 | There are errors in the gas pump control circuit . If this malfunction is actually present in the auto system, then starting the engine is impossible. This combination is most often found in vehicles BMW e46. |
Engine
| The code | Description |
| P0217 | This code indicates that the BMW motor is overheating , that is, boiling coolant in the system for some reason. First of all, it is necessary to check the quality of antifreeze, the operation of the thermostat, as well as the radiator cooling fan. |
| P0218 | This combination indicates overheating of the transmission system. First of all, check the gear oil level. |
| P1501, P1502 | A failure of the fuel pump relay has been reported. A short circuit may also occur. If this combination appears, the fuel pump may not work, as a result of which the start of the car engine may not be possible. It is necessary to replace the relay . |
| P0231 – P0233 | The signal of the secondary circuit of the fuel pump is incorrect . |
| P0243 – P0246 | Defects have arisen in the functioning of the exhaust gas shutter solenoid of the first turbine. The solenoid is either always closed or open. An incorrect signal from a component may also be transmitted. |
| P0247 – P0250 | Incorrect operation of the exhaust solenoid of the second turbine. As in the previous case, the component is either always closed, or always open, or the wrong signal comes from it. |
| P0380 – P0381 | Failure of all or one of the glow plugs. |
| P0442 | A leak has occurred in the fuel vapor fixation system. |
| P0443 – P0445 | Defects have occurred in the functioning of the purge valve of the system or the fixation of fuel vapor. |
| P0446 – P0448 | The air valve is out of order. |
| P0173 | There was a fuel leak from the BC fuel system. |
| 2a82 | Code 2a82 is one of the most common. 2a82, as a rule, occurs when the vehicle begins to adjust , periodically twitching at a set of revolutions. Code 2a82 indicates the need to replace or clean the vanos solenoid valves . If this failure is not corrected in time, then the operation of the vehicle may not be possible. |
The decoding of codes and their translation presented here is only part of the errors that can occur during the diagnostic process. If you find a fault and have replaced one part or another, you must disconnect and reconnect the battery poles. If you do not do this, the fault may reappear on the display screen. Disconnecting the battery poles is a kind of reboot of the trip computer system, so do not forget to do this.
