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BMW 3 (E46). Manual - part 23

OBD-3

BMW Fault Codes
(DTCs)

Below is a comprehensive listing of
BMW DTCs and the corresponding
SAE P-codes.

Table a. Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)

BMW
code

P-code

Fault type and
function

Signal type and
range

Explanation

Ignition coil cyl.2

Input analog
timing (100 mV)

DME initiates secondary
ignition for each cylinder then
looks for feedback through
shunt resistor in harness to
determine if ignition actually
occurred.

Ignition coil cyl.4

Input analog
timing (100 mV)

DME initiates secondary
ignition for each cylinder then
looks for feedback through
shunt resistor in harness to
determine if ignition actually
occurred.

Ignition coil cyl.6

Input analog
timing (100 mV)

DME initiates secondary
ignition for each cylinder then
looks for feedback through
shunt resistor in harness to
determine if ignition actually
occurred.

P0202

Injector circuit cyl.
2

Output digital
pulse width (active
low)

DME final stage will set flag
whenever a short to ground, a
short to battery voltage or a
disconnection between output
transistor and component
exists.

P0201

Injector circuit cyl.
1

Output digital
pulse width (active
low)

DME final stage will set flag
whenever a short to ground, a
short to battery voltage or a
disconnection between output
transistor and component
exists.

BMW
code

P-code

Fault type and
function

Signal type and
range

Explanation

P0101

Mass air flow
circuit range/perf.

Input analog
(0-5V)

Failed signal range check
against predefined diagnostic
limits.

Engine coolant
temp. circuit
range/perf.

Input analog
(0-5V)

Signal range is checked
against predefined diagnostic
limits within specific engine
operations.

Coolant temp.
coolant outlet

Input analog
(0-5V)

Signal range is checked
against predefined diagnostic
limits within specific engine
operations.

P0111

Intake air temp.
range/performance

Input analog
(0-5V)

Signal range is checked
against predefined diagnostic
limits within specific engine
operations.

P1397

Exhaust cam
position sensor
malfunction

Input analog
phase shift (0-5V)

Internal check of phase shift
from camshaft sensor -
should change during every
crankshaft revolution.Phase
shift occurs due to 2:1
relationship between
camshafts.

P1529

VANOS solenoid
activation, exhaust

Output digital
pulse width (active
low)

DME final stage will set flag
whenever a short to ground, a
short to battery voltage or a
disconnection between output
transistor and component
exists.

P1525

VANOS solenoid
activation, intake

Output digital
pulse width (active
low)

DME final stage will set flag
whenever a short to ground, a
short to battery voltage or a
disconnection between output
transistor and component
exists.

P0203

Injector circuit cyl.
3

Output digital
pulse width (active
low)

DME final stage will set flag
whenever a short to ground, a
short to battery voltage or a
disconnection between output
transistor and component
exists.

BMW
code

P-code

Fault type and
function

Signal type and
range

Explanation

P0206

Injector circuit cyl.
6

Output digital
pulse width (active
low)

DME final stage will set flag
whenever a short to ground, a
short to battery voltage or a
disconnection between output
transistor and component
exists.

P0204

Injector circuit cyl.
4

Output digital
pulse width (active
low)

DME final stage will set flag
whenever a short to ground, a
short to battery voltage or a
disconnection between output
transistor and component
exists.

P0135

Oxygen sensor
heater pre-cat
(Bank1)

Output digital
pulse width (active
low)

DME final stage will set flag
whenever a short to ground, a
short to battery voltage or a
disconnection between output
transistor and component
exists.

P1550

Idle control valve
closing coil

Output digital
pulse width (active
low)

DME final stage will set flag
whenever a short to ground, a
short to battery voltage or a
disconnection between output
transistor and component
exists.

Ignition coil cyl.1

Input analog
timing (100 mV)

DME initiates secondary
ignition for each cylinder then
looks for feedback through
shunt resistor in harness to
determine if ignition actually
occurred.

Ignition coil cyl.3

Input analog
timing (100 mV)

DME initiates secondary
ignition for each cylinder then
looks for feedback through
shunt resistor in harness to
determine if ignition actually
occurred.

Ignition coil cyl.5

Input analog
timing (100 mV)

DME initiates secondary
ignition for each cylinder then
looks for feedback through
shunt resistor in harness to
determine if ignition actually
occurred.

BMW
code

P-code

Fault type and
function

Signal type and
range

Explanation

P0205

Injector circuit cyl.
5

Output digital
pulse width (active
low)

DME final stage will set flag
whenever a short to ground, a
short to battery voltage or a
disconnection between output
transistor and component
exists.

P1453

Secondary air
injection pump

Output digital
on/off (active low)

TDME final stage will set flag
whenever a short to ground, a
short to battery voltage or a
disconnection between output
transistor and component
exists.

MS 43

Main relay
malfunction

Input analog
(0-12V)

Signal range check between
DME ignition analog input
and main relay power circuit
analog input.

MS 43

Clutch switch
faulty

Input digital
(0-12V)

Plausibility check of clutch
switch and DME internal
values such as load and
engine speed.

Brake light switch,
and brake light
plausibility test

Input digital
(0-12V)

When brake light switch is
active, brake light test switch
must be also active. If not,
fault is stored.

Brake light switch,
pedal sensor
plausibility test

Input digital /
analog (0-12V /
0-5V)

If pedal sensor is showing
angle greater than "limp
home angle" and additionally
brake light switch is active,
fault is stored.

Multi functional
steering wheel,
redundant code

Input binary
stream (0-12V)

Every signal from cruise
control switch is transferred
redundantly. A fault is set
whenever two redundant
information paths are showing
a different status.

Multi functional
steering wheel,
control switch

Input binary
stream (0-12V)

When status from cruise
control showing
set/accelerate and
deceleration are same time,
fault is set.

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