Error code on my BMW

obi604

I have a 2008 BMW 320 D automatic
The last 2 days ive started it, an error has appeared on the dash, see attachment : error on dashboard.JPG
This stays constant on the dashboard after starting and driving


I looked up the error code in the manual and thats in attachement : error code meaning.JPG


IM bloody colour blind so I dont know if the if the light is yellow or red, must get a work colleague to verify the colour for me. I can start and drive the car and all.

My question is, so this is some kind of a steering lock issue, is this a big job to fix ? expensive ?

Eric Cartman

it appears the steering lock broke while off , or did somebody attempt to steal your car by any chance ?

its not essential for the cars functioning but id imagine getting it fixed would be an expensive enough job considering the steering column could all be one part.

MetzgerMeister

It's yellow in your picture so that just means that it's engaged.

smoking_kills

It's a fault with the column, the lock is sticking. Some were replaced under warranty... its your steering so I'd be off to a BMW dealership for a opinion and quote. Not sure about how safe it is to drive though.

obi604

Eric Cartman wrote: »

it appears the steering lock broke while off , or did somebody attempt to steal your car by any chance ?

its not essential for the cars functioning but id imagine getting it fixed would be an expensive enough job considering the steering column could all be one part.

But this is the thing, when the car is stopped and switched off, I can lock the steering wheel in to the lock position and it comes out of this position also.

As far as I know, nobody attempted to steal my car, wasnt broken in to etc

fook, so could be expensive to fix

obi604

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

It's yellow in your picture so that just means that it's engaged.

Thanks, ok, so its yellow, but what does the above statement mean.

Shows Yellow in the manual says : "Move the steering wheel before starting the engine"

So I do indeed move the steering wheel to unlock it before starting the engine, is this correct ?

But the error still shows on the dash afterwards

biko

As said, start by taking it to the dealership and let them have a look and give you a quote. Then take it from there.

MetzgerMeister

obi604 wrote: »

Thanks, ok, so its yellow, but what does the above statement mean.

Shows Yellow in the manual says : "Move the steering wheel before starting the engine"

So I do indeed move the steering wheel to unlock it before starting the engine, is this correct ?

But the error still shows on the dash afterwards

In cars that have normal keys that you push in and turn, you often had to "jiggle" the steering wheel while turning the key to disengage the steering lock. In your car and mine, the fob goes into the dash and you hear the steering lock disengage on its own then you press the start button.

IMO, you may have to "jiggle" the steering wheel to disengage the lock once you have the fob in the dash.

If the error still shows on the dash, it may have to be cleared but as OSI said, it could be a sensor so if it's cleared it will reappear after this happens for the second or third time.

Eric Cartman

OSI wrote: »

I'd say it's just a sensor if it's operating fine.

the problem is if the sensor is a part inside the lock mechanism on the column , youll only be able to order the complete part.

obi604

OSI wrote: »

I'd say it's just a sensor if it's operating fine.

By operating fine, do you mean that I can lock the wheel, unlock the wheel and start the car etc

obi604

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

In cars that have normal keys that you push in and turn, you often had to "jiggle" the steering wheel while turning the key to disengage the steering lock. In your car and mine, the fob goes into the dash and you hear the steering lock disengage on its own then you press the start button.

IMO, you may have to "jiggle" the steering wheel to disengage the lock once you have the fob in the dash.

If the error still shows on the dash, it may have to be cleared but as OSI said, it could be a sensor so if it's cleared it will reappear after this happens for the second or third time.

Thanks. Like this morning when I got in, put the key fob in and the steering wheel lock dis engaged by itself, I didnt have to "jiggle" it.

But yet error still there.

thanks for the advice.

MetzgerMeister

Did you ever have to jiggle it? If not, I'd say it's just a sensor and you may get away with just getting it cleared.

robbie99

I got that error once before on my own 320d. For whatever reason, I stopped the engine with the steering on full lock. When I went to restart the car, the error came up and the car wouldn't start. Only after I jiggled the steering wheel would the car start and the error went away. I've had no problem since, and this was about 3 years ago.

Because the error is staying up permanently for you, I think it's best to get it checked out at a bmw dealer. Typically €90 for a diagnosis.

renofan

The exact same thing is on my father's car since he got it in 2007. His is still running fine! Indy mechanic said not to worry about it so he hasn't.

obi604

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Did you ever have to jiggle it? If not, I'd say it's just a sensor and you may get away with just getting it cleared.

nope. no jiggiling required normally.

However when I see the error code, I did jiggle the wheel just to make sure nothing locked. but since that , dont have to jiggle it

MetzgerMeister

In that case I'd say it's just a sensor and you don't need to worry about it.

However if you want to be fully sure, bring it to a BMW indy/dealer and get it looked at and cleared.

declan_8

obi604 wrote: »

I have a 2008 BMW 320 D automatic
The last 2 days ive started it, an error has appeared on the dash, see attachment : error on dashboard.JPG
This stays constant on the dashboard after starting and driving


I looked up the error code in the manual and thats in attachement : error code meaning.JPG


IM bloody colour blind so I dont know if the if the light is yellow or red, must get a work colleague to verify the colour for me. I can start and drive the car and all.

My question is, so this is some kind of a steering lock issue, is this a big job to fix ? expensive ?

Have this same problem at present on my 2008 E90 and had it checked by my Indy who says it is a CAS module problem which can't communicate correctly and not the steering lock. My lock is fully functional like you mention yours is also. The CAS stands for car access system communicates between your key and car itself. I've had the error cleared twice in the last 6 months but returned within a month. I'm still driving away on it and have had no problems so far. I priced the part in an NI dealer at 300gbp then you need your mechanic to fit which is about 3 hours work or more given that he CAS needs reprogramming with your car. Hope is helps.

obi604

declan_8 wrote: »

Have this same problem at present on my 2008 E90 and had it checked by my Indy who says it is a CAS module problem which can't communicate correctly and not the steering lock. My lock is fully functional like you mention yours is also. The CAS stands for car access system communicates between your key and car itself. I've had the error cleared twice in the last 6 months but returned within a month. I'm still driving away on it and have had no problems so far. I priced the part in an NI dealer at 300gbp then you need your mechanic to fit which is about 3 hours work or more given that he CAS needs reprogramming with your car. Hope is helps.

Yes Declan, helps a lot .
bloody expensive to fix

MetzgerMeister

They E9x's also have a CAS fault whereby it will say that one of your rear light bulbs is blown when it's not. Again, to fix it you have to buy an expensive module.

aido76

Would the car not fail the NCT with this error showing constant on the dash? I see a number of posters have the issue for a while and would imagine their cars have gone through the NCT at this stage.

declan_8

aido76 wrote: »

Would the car not fail the NCT with this error showing constant on the dash? I see a number of posters have the issue for a while and would imagine their cars have gone through the NCT at this stage.

Yes I don't think the nct will accept the fault and hence ill have to fix it or chance putting the light out for the test. I think I will just bite the bullet and get it fixed because it annoys me every time I get into the car.

Cerco

I would try getting the alarm reset first before going the whole hog.
It may have been triggered by a once off event.

obi604

Just an update. Brought it to an Independent BMW Specialist

He did a software update and this has cleared the isssue.