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Engine Controls - Tests W/codes: Diagnosis BMW 5 series E39

Testing & Diagnostics 2 illustrations ~700 words

SELF-DIAGNOSTICS FEATURE

DME/Motronic control unit has a self-diagnostic feature with internal memory. Self-diagnostic feature detects malfunctions in control unit or emission-related components and stores fault codes.

DME/Motronic control unit provides a substitute value if a failure occurs in engine (coolant) temperature sensor, intake air temperature sensor, airflow meter or exhaust gas oxygen sensor. These substitute values are canceled when normal engine operation is resumed. To aid in trouble shooting, stored fault codes and sensor values can be monitored via control unit when components are actuated.

In addition to control of relevant systems, DME/Motronic control unit can supply or receive data for diagnostic procedures. Data can be read out or entered with BMW MoDIC (hand-held scan tester) or BMW Service Tester (Sun 2013 Engine Analyzer) and applicable BMW diagnostic software.

Data exchange between control unit and BMW diagnostic software occurs via Diagnostic Initiation Line (RxD) and Diagnostic Data Line (TxD) in engine diagnostic (connector) socket. (Scheme 10)

After installing diagnostic software in BMW Service Tester, general overview of DME/Motronic control unit appears on display screen. Self-diagnostic procedure is initiated by selecting relevant control unit; corresponding diagnostic program functions are automatically assigned from diagnostic software.

Note. To avoid faults during vehicle operation, RxD line is connected to battery voltage and TxD line to ground when diagnostic (connector) socket cover is closed.

Scheme 10

Scheme 10: SELF-DIAGNOSTICS FEATURE

READ STATUS Diagnostic Function

This function permits technician to read status and current input/output values being received/sent out by DME/Motronic control unit. Compare display with actual status of vehicle. If a signal is found to be defective or if status detected by control unit deviates from actual status of vehicle, carry out trouble shooting of associated input or output (voltage, resistance, etc.).

DRIVE COMPONENTS Diagnostic Function

This function allows technician to drive (actuate) component without DME/Motronic control unit switch-on condition being set. Actual statuses of inputs at control unit are ignored. With this function, proper operation of components can be checked with components installed.

READ DEFECT CODE MEMORY Diagnostic Function

Contents of DME/Motronic control unit defect code memory and operating conditions under which defect occurred can be accessed via this function. More extensive trouble shooting is then carried out in accordance with instructions provided in diagnostic program or diagnostic procedure.

Note. Fault codes (except Codes 26 and 200) are stored after engine has started. If several codes have been stored, they appear in chronological order.

QUICK TEST Function

QUICK TEST permits checking of defect codes on all control units with a self-diagnostic feature. Ignition switch must be turned to ON position before QUICK TEST is started. QUICK TEST is started from general overview of DME/Motronic control unit screen and is indicated by "QUICK TEST ACTIVE" in last (screen) line.

Control units are read out in same sequence as control unit overview. Progression of QUICK TEST is indicated to technician by flashing relevant line of control unit overview. Continuation to second page of control unit overview takes place automatically.

When BMW diagnostic software finds a control unit, corresponding line of DME/Motronic control unit overview is marked by an asterisk (*). If a defect code is stored in control unit, line is highlighted. QUICK TEST can be canceled at any time by pressing any key on BMW Service Tester. Completion of QUICK TEST is indicated by "QUICK TEST COMPLETED" in last (screen) line.

Reading Diagnostic (Flash) Codes

  1. With ignition switch in RUN position and after depressing accelerator pedal 5 times to WOT, CHECK ENGINE light comes on for 5 seconds to indicate self-diagnostic feature is preparing to output diagnostic codes. (Scheme 11)
  2. CHECK ENGINE light then turns off for 0.5 second (awaiting synchronization signal), comes on for 2.5 seconds (light check) and again turns off for 2.5 seconds (wait for readout). Last 2.5 second pause tells technician to wait for diagnostic code readout.
  3. Next CHECK ENGINE light on/off periods represent diagnostic codes stored. CHECK ENGINE light will be on or off for 0.5 second with a 2.5 second pause between each code digit and a 2.5 second pause between each code. (Scheme 11) See appropriate FAULT CODE IDENTIFICATION table under «TROUBLE CODE DEFINITION»(ref-9972-S35325990712000110700000).

Scheme 11

Scheme 11
CodeComponent MalfunctionDiagnosis
1211Digital Motor Electronics (DME) Control UnitCode indicates failure of DME. Erase stored codes. Start and run vehicle for 30 seconds. Turn ignition off for 30 seconds. If code reoccurs, replace DME.
1212Oxygen Sensor No. 2Code indicates oxygen sensor signal is out of range or not present at an engine temperature of 158°F (70°C) or more. Check wiring and sensor. Sensor voltage should be 0.02-0.85 volt.
1213Oxygen Sensor Control No. 2Code indicates DME has detected excessive variation in air-fuel (rich/lean) mixture for greater than 10 seconds. Possible causes include no fuel, inadequate fuel pressure, injector defective, temperature sensor defective, secondary air leak, EVAP system defective, airflow meter defective or engine mechanical problem.
1215Mass Airflow SensorCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground at mass airflow sensor or wiring. Check airflow sensor wiring and connections.
1216Throttle Position SensorCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground at throttle position sensor or wiring. Check throttle position sensor wiring and connections.
1218Output Stage (Bank 1)Code indicates an open or short to voltage at output amplifier stage (bank 1). Code may be caused by idle speed actuator, EVAP, control valve, CHECK ENGINE light, injectors, ignition coil(s), oxygen sensor heater relay, or EKP relay. Delete code after checking for other faults. Erase code. If code reoccurs, erase code again and reset DME by disconnecting its connector for at least 5 minutes. If code reoccurs and no other problems are present, replace DME.
1219Output Stage (Bank 2)Code indicates an open or short to voltage at output amplifier stage (bank 2). Code may be caused by idle speed actuator, EVAP, control valve, CHECK ENGINE light, injectors, ignition coil(s), oxygen sensor heater relay, or EKP relay. Delete code after checking for other faults. Erase code. If code reoccurs, erase code again and reset DME by disconnecting its connector for at least 5 minutes. If code reoccurs and no other problems are present, replace DME.
1221Oxygen Sensor 1Code indicates oxygen sensor signal is out of range or not present at an engine temperature of 158°F (70°C) or more. Check wiring and sensor. Sensor voltage should be 0.02-0.85 volt.
1222Lambda Control 1Code indicates DME has detected excessive variation in air-fuel (rich/lean) mixture for greater than 10 seconds. Possible causes include no fuel, inadequate fuel pressure, injector defective, temperature sensor defective, secondary air leak, EVAP system defective, airflow meter defective or engine mechanical problem.
1223Coolant Temperature SensorCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground at coolant temperature sensor or wiring. Check sensor wiring and connections. Sensor value should be 8.3-10.6 k/Ohms at 14°F (-10°C), 2.2-2.7 k/Ohms at 68°F (20°C), and 2.9-3.6 k/Ohms at 140°F (60°C).
1224Intake Air Temperature SensorCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground at intake air temperature sensor or wiring. Check sensor wiring and connections. Sensor value should be 2.2-2.7 k/Ohms at 68°F (20°C), and 7.6-9.0 k/Ohms at 122°F (50°C).
1225Knock Sensor No. 1Code indicates an open or short to voltage or ground at knock sensor No. 1 or its wiring. Check sensor, sensor wiring and connections. Check fuel octane and possible carbon in cylinders.
1226Knock Sensor No. 2Code indicates an open or short to voltage or ground at knock sensor No. 2 or its wiring. Check sensor, sensor wiring and connections. Check fuel octane and possible carbon in cylinders.
1227Knock Sensor No. 3Code indicates an open or short to voltage or ground at knock sensor No. 3 or its wiring. Check sensor, sensor wiring and connections. Check fuel octane and possible carbon in cylinders.
1228Knock Sensor No. 4Code indicates an open or short to voltage or ground at knock sensor No. 3 or its wiring. Check sensor, sensor wiring and connections. Check fuel octane and possible carbon in cylinders.
1231Battery Voltage Or DME Main RelayCheck charging system and/or battery.
1232Idle Throttle Valve SwitchCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground at idle throttle valve switch or wiring. Check idle throttle valve switch wiring and connections.
1233Full Load Throttle Valve SwitchCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground at full load throttle valve switch or wiring. Check throttle position sensor wiring and connections.
1234Vehicle Speed SensorCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground in speed sensor wiring to DME, or speedometer malfunction.
1237A/C Compressor Cut-OffCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground in A/C cut-out relay wiring or defective relay.
1241Air Mass Sensor (HFM)Observe load signal with scan tool. The nominal value is 1.8-2.2 ms when the battery is charged, air conditioning switched off and gear selector lever in position P or N. If the nominal value is not achieved, check voltage supply of air mass sensor, wires and connector. If voltage supply, wires and connector are okay, check air mass sensor.
1242A/C CompressorCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground in A/C compressor signal wire to DME. Check A/C belt and refrigerant charge.
1243Crankshaft Position SensorCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground in crankshaft position sensor wiring, or defective sensor.
1244Camshaft Position SensorCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground in camshaft position sensor wiring, or defective sensor or coil(s).
1245EGSCode indicates a short to ground in wiring between EGS and DME.
1247Ignition Secondary MonitorDiagnosis is not available.
1251Injector No. 1 (Group 1)Check injector wiring. Check injector for proper operation and spray.
1252Injector No. 2 (Group 2)Check injector wiring. Check injector for proper operation and spray.
1253Injector No. 3Check injector wiring. Check injector for proper operation and spray.
1254Injector No. 4Check injector wiring. Check injector for proper operation and spray.
1255Injector No. 5Check injector wiring. Check injector for proper operation and spray.
1256Injector No. 6Check injector wiring. Check injector for proper operation and spray.
1257Injector No. 7Check injector wiring. Check injector for proper operation and spray.
1258Injector No. 8Check injector wiring. Check injector for proper operation and spray.
1261Fuel Pump RelayCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground in fuel pump relay pin No. 3
1262Idle Speed ActuatorCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground in wiring to idle actuator from DME, or output stage of DME is defective.
1263Purge ValveCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground in wiring to EVAP control valve, or output stage of DME is defective.
1264Lambda HeaterCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground in wiring to DME, lambda sensor heater, heater relay or air pump relay.
1265CHECK ENGINE LightCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground in CHECK ENGINE light wiring, or bulb is defective.
1266VANOSCode indicates an open or short to voltage or ground in wiring to VANOS relay or defective relay.
1267Air Pump RelayCode indicates an open or short to voltage in wiring between DME and air pump relay, or defective air pump relay.
1271Ignition Coil No. 1Code indicates an open or short to voltage in ignition final stage wiring.
1272Ignition Coil No. 2Code indicates an open or short to voltage in ignition final stage wiring.
1273Ignition Coil No. 3Code indicates an open or short to voltage in ignition final stage wiring.
1274Ignition Coil No. 4Code indicates an open or short to voltage in ignition final stage wiring.
1275Ignition Coil No. 5Code indicates an open or short to voltage in ignition final stage wiring.
1276Ignition Coil No. 6Code indicates an open or short to voltage in ignition final stage wiring.
1277Ignition Coil No. 7Code indicates an open or short to voltage in ignition final stage wiring.
1278Ignition Coil No. 8Code indicates an open or short to voltage in ignition final stage wiring.
1281DME MemoryCode indicates a problem in DME memory. Check for a low battery voltage problem and repair as necessary. Erase code and reconnect DME. If code reoccurs, replace DME.
1282Code MemoryCode indicates an incorrect code has been set in memory. Erase code and disconnect a monitored component. If code reoccurs, replace DME.
1283Injector Output StageCode indicates an intermittent open or short circuit to voltage at an injector, injector wiring or defective DME injector stage.
1286Knock Sensor Test PulseCode indicates an internal pulse was not detected in DME. Check knock sensor wiring and knock sensors.
1444No Fault

DIAGNOSTIC FLASH CODES

TROUBLE CODE DEFINITION

CodesAffected Circuit
0Undefined Defect
1Fuel Pump Relay
2Idle Speed Actuator (Close)
3Injector No. 5
4Injector No. 6
5Injector No. 4
6Fuel Injectors (Output Signal)
7VANOS
8CHECK ENGINE Light
12Oxygen Sensor No. 2
13Oxygen Sensor No. 1
15Ignition Circuit Monitoring
16Crankshaft (Pulse) Sensor
17Camshaft Sensor
23Ign. Coil (Cyl. 4)
24Ign. Coil (Cyl. 6)
25Ign. Coil (Cyl. 5)
26DME Power Supply (B+)
29Idle Speed Actuator (Open)
31Injector No. 5
32Injector No. 6
33Injector No. 5
36Fuel Tank Vent (Evaporation) Control
37O2 Sensor Heater
41Air Mass (Sensor) Meter
42Vehicle Speed Sensor
48A/C Compressor Shutoff
50Ignition Coil (Cyl. 1)
51Ignition Coil (Cyl. 2)
52Ignition Coil (Cyl. 3)
54DME Power Supply
57Ign. Timing Intervention
62Electronic Engine Power Control Signal
66Theft Alarm Signal
69Knock Sensor 2
70Knock Sensor 1
73Throttle Valve Potentiometer
77Intake Air Temp. Sensor
78Engine (Coolant) Temp. Sensor
82Engine Drag Torque Control Intervention
83Automatic Stability Control Intervention
100Output Stage (Signal 1)
101Output Stage (Signal 2)
200DME Control Unit
201Oxygen Sensor Control
204Idle Speed Increase During MSR Operation
206Knock Control Test Pulse

FAULT CODE IDENTIFICATION (M50)