Electrical System Malfunction (E90)

[T.E.D]

Hello everyone,

I currently own a 2009 328i, couple days ago I was driving to school while I noticed that my car's dash went nuts and it said "Electrical System Malfunction", i scanned the car with INPA and i had all these Error's reading it so anyone know what it might be or how I can start diagnosing it. Thanks

[Flipxcru]

Can you post the errors?


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2015 VW Passat TDI
2011 BMW 335D

[RocketSurgeon]

When that many error lights illuminate at once, it's usually a voltage problem caused by the alternator or battery. Honestly INPA kind of sucks for diagnostics, ISTA+ is the dealer software, and it's entirely in English. PM me if you want a free download link for ISTA+, it will work with your existing cable.

[TonyAngel]

Yeah, check your battery's voltage. A fully charged battery should come in at around 12.6v or just over. At 12.2v, the battery is, for all practical purposes, dead. The battery should hold around 10.5v under load, when starting the car. While running, you should be getting around 13.5v.

If you battery is under 12.6v, try putting it on a charger. If you're seeing under 13.5v with the car running, you may have an alternator issue.

[T.E.D]

Update:
I got my battery checked at a local car shop they said the battery was fine. Sorry, im new to this diagnosing car issues and stuff but they said the new battery is supposed to be at 700 (something) mine was at 500?

[cochise325]

CCA? cold cranking amps.

Is your battery the original one? Is the battery white or black?

There is a recall that affects some cars. You can ask a BMW dealer to run your VIN to see if your car is affected. A main electrical cable connection at the fuse box in the dash can short out and cause the type of problems you are experiencing.

[T.E.D]

Duped Reply

[T.E.D]

Duped

[T.E.D]

Will check CCA Tomorrow
Original Battery with a White Shell (from what i know) will confirm tomorrow
No Current Recalls match the description of what you were saying also since i bought the car used i don't know if the last owner kept up with the recalls is there a way i can tell also if they haven't am i able to go in and get it done and i have listed all the recalls ever on my car.

Recall Subject: Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Report Receipt Date: 08-10-2012
NHTSA Campaign: 12E029000
Manufacture: Valeo

Summary:This Recall Involves Aftermarket Parts Sold By Valeo. Valeo Is Recalling Certain Engine Cooling Fans, Part Numbers 696121, 696273, And 696275, Used As Service Replacement Parts For Model Year 2008-2011 Bmw 1-series, 2006-2011 Bmw 3-series, 2000-2009 Bmw 5-series, 2004-2005 Bmw 6-series, And 2006-2007 Bmw 7-series Vehicles. A Metal-oxide Semiconductor May Overheat Due To Insufficient Screwing Of The Semiconductor On The Aluminum Heat Sink. This Primary Failure Could Cause Adjacent Components On The Fan Assembly Motor Circuit Board To Overheat And Short.

Consequence:This Condition Could Cause The Fan Motor To Become Inoperative, Or Cause The Motor Circuit Board In The Assembly To Overheat, Potentially Leading To A Fire In The Engine Compartment.

Remedy:Valeo Will Notify Owners And Replace The Fans Free Of Charge. The Safety Recall Began On August 22, 2012. This Recall Is Being Conducted By Valeo, Not By Bmw. For Further Information, Owners May Contact Valeo At 1-888-718-2536.


Recall Subject: Electrical System
Report Receipt Date: 02-07-2013
NHTSA Campaign: 13V044000
Manufacture: BMW of North America, LLC

Summary:Bmw Is Recalling Certain Model Year 2008-2012 1-series Coupes And Convertibles Manufactured December 2007 Through September 2011; And 2007-2011 3-series Coupes And Convertibles Manufactured March 2007 Through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-series Sedans Manufactured March 2007 Through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-series Sports Wagons Manufactured March 2007 Through June 2011; And 2009-2011 Z4 Vehicles Manufactured March 2009 Through June 2011. In February 2013, Bmw Recalled 504,545 Vehicles. In July 2013, Bmw Informed The Agency That It Was Adding 1-series, 3-series, And Z4 Vehicles, Representing An Additional 12,094 Vehicles. The Total Number Of Vehicles Being Recalled Is Now 516,791. The Connector For The Positive Battery Cable Connector And The Corresponding Terminal On The Fuse Box May Degrade Over Time. Over Time, The High Current Flow And Heat From Electrical Resistance May Lead To A Breakage Of The Connection, And A Loss Of Electrical Power To The Vehicle.

Consequence:If There Is A Loss Of Electrical Power To The Vehicle, The Vehicle May Unexpectedly Stall, Increasing The Risk Of A Crash.

Remedy:Bmw Will Notify Owners, And Dealers Will Replace The Positive Battery Cable Connector And Secure It With An Improved Method, Free Of Charge. The Recall Began On March 13, 2013. Owners May Call Bmw At 1-800-525-7417 Or Email Bmw At Customerrelations@bmwusa.com.


Recall Subject: Electrical System:battery:cables
Report Receipt Date: 02-07-2013
NHTSA Campaign: 13V044000
Manufacture: BMW of North America, LLC

Summary:Bmw Is Recalling Certain Model Year 2008-2012 1-series Coupes And Convertibles Manufactured December 2007 Through September 2011; And 2007-2011 3-series Coupes And Convertibles Manufactured March 2007 Through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-series Sedans Manufactured March 2007 Through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-series Sports Wagons Manufactured March 2007 Through June 2011; And 2009-2011 Z4 Vehicles Manufactured March 2009 Through June 2011. In February 2013, Bmw Recalled 504,545 Vehicles. In July 2013, Bmw Informed The Agency That It Was Adding 1-series, 3-series, And Z4 Vehicles, Representing An Additional 12,094 Vehicles. The Total Number Of Vehicles Being Recalled Is Now 516,791. The Connector For The Positive Battery Cable Connector And The Corresponding Terminal On The Fuse Box May Degrade Over Time. Over Time, The High Current Flow And Heat From Electrical Resistance May Lead To A Breakage Of The Connection, And A Loss Of Electrical Power To The Vehicle.

Consequence:If There Is A Loss Of Electrical Power To The Vehicle, The Vehicle May Unexpectedly Stall, Increasing The Risk Of A Crash.

Remedy:Bmw Will Notify Owners, And Dealers Will Replace The Positive Battery Cable Connector And Secure It With An Improved Method, Free Of Charge. The Recall Began On March 13, 2013. Owners May Call Bmw At 1-800-525-7417 Or Email Bmw At Customerrelations@bmwusa.com.


Recall Subject: Electrical System:fuses And Circuit Breakers
Report Receipt Date: 02-07-2013
NHTSA Campaign: 13V044000
Manufacture: BMW of North America, LLC

Summary:Bmw Is Recalling Certain Model Year 2008-2012 1-series Coupes And Convertibles Manufactured December 2007 Through September 2011; And 2007-2011 3-series Coupes And Convertibles Manufactured March 2007 Through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-series Sedans Manufactured March 2007 Through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-series Sports Wagons Manufactured March 2007 Through June 2011; And 2009-2011 Z4 Vehicles Manufactured March 2009 Through June 2011. In February 2013, Bmw Recalled 504,545 Vehicles. In July 2013, Bmw Informed The Agency That It Was Adding 1-series, 3-series, And Z4 Vehicles, Representing An Additional 12,094 Vehicles. The Total Number Of Vehicles Being Recalled Is Now 516,791. The Connector For The Positive Battery Cable Connector And The Corresponding Terminal On The Fuse Box May Degrade Over Time. Over Time, The High Current Flow And Heat From Electrical Resistance May Lead To A Breakage Of The Connection, And A Loss Of Electrical Power To The Vehicle.

Consequence:If There Is A Loss Of Electrical Power To The Vehicle, The Vehicle May Unexpectedly Stall, Increasing The Risk Of A Crash.

Remedy:Bmw Will Notify Owners, And Dealers Will Replace The Positive Battery Cable Connector And Secure It With An Improved Method, Free Of Charge. The Recall Began On March 13, 2013. Owners May Call Bmw At 1-800-525-7417 Or Email Bmw At Customerrelations@bmwusa.com.


Recall Subject: Air Bags:frontal:driver Side Inflator Module
Report Receipt Date: 02-05-2016
NHTSA Campaign: 16V071000
Manufacture: BMW of North America, LLC

Summary:Bmw Of North America, Llc (bmw) Is Recalling Certain Model Year 2008-2013 128i And 135i Coupes And Convertibles And 1 Series M Coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i Xdrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i Xdrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d Sedans, 2006-2012 325xit, 328i And 328xi Sports Wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i Xdrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i Xdrive, 335is And M3 Coupes And Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 Sdrive28i, X1 Xdrive28i And X1 Xdrive35i Savs, 2007-2010 X3 Xdrive30i Savs, 2007-2013 X5 Xdrive30i, X5 Xdrive35i, X5 Xdrive48i, X5 Xdrive50i And X5 M Savs, 2009-2013 Bmw X5 Xdrive35d Savs, 2008-2014 X6 Xdrive35i, X6 Xdrive50i, And X6 M Sacs, 2010-2011 Bmw X6 Xdrive50i Sacs And 2008-2011 M3 Sedan Vehicles. Upon Deployment Of The Driver's Frontal Air Bag, Excessive Internal Pressure May Cause The Inflator To Rupture.

Consequence:In The Event Of A Crash Necessitating Deployment Of The Driver's Frontal Air Bag, The Inflator Could Rupture With Metal Fragments Striking The Driver Or Other Occupants Resulting In Serious Injury Or Death.

Remedy:Bmw Will Notify Owners, And Dealers Will Replace The Driver's Frontal Air Bag Module Or Inflator Depending On The Vehicle Model, Free Of Charge. The Interim Remedy Began June 22, 2016. Owners May Contact Bmw Customer Service At 1-800-525-7417.

[White94RX]

Jeez, you guys on this forum with the battery stuff!!! Here's how the forum diagnoses problems.

seat heaters don't work: battery
car vibrates on the highway: battery
CEL on : battery
car misfiring : battery
electrical malfunction : battery
bulb out : battery
battery dead : battery

The first step is to take it so someone with BMW experience that can read all the modules and find out which ones are or aren't communicating. And anyone with experience knows to hook a battery charger to the car while diagnosing, which will eliminate that battery factor. Don't just guess at the problem. A proper diagnosis is worth it's weight in gold, as opposed to the internet, and just throwing parts at it.

[T.E.D]

seat heaters don't work: battery = don't have seat heater's
car vibrates on the highway: battery = kind of, has rattling noises.
CEL on : battery - Dont know what that is
car misfiring : battery - no misfires
electrical malfunction : battery - have this.
bulb out : battery - front angel eyes bulb went out.
battery dead : battery - battery is fine according to a local shop.

[mandd]

Jeez, you guys on this forum with the battery stuff!!! Here's how the forum diagnoses problems.

seat heaters don't work: battery
car vibrates on the highway: battery
CEL on : battery
car misfiring : battery
electrical malfunction : battery
bulb out : battery
battery dead : battery

The first step is to take it so some one with BMW experience that can read all the modules and find out which ones are or aren't communicating. And anyone with experience knows to hook a battery charger to the car while diagnosing, which will eliminate that battery factor. Don't just guess at the problem. A proper diagnosis is worth it's weight in gold, as opposed to the internet, and just throwing parts at it.

This!

[cochise325]

f***King battery!

[SlackTube]

RDC control unit located behind rr wheel is bringing down your K-bus. Loosen the 8mm screw that holds the felt fenderliner to the rear bumper and you'll see the RDC. Unplug it. Aside from tire pressure light your warnings will be gone in 1 key cycle.

[T.E.D]

I was able to do further testing and these are the current Faults and are Active.

[White94RX]

Obviously the K-CAN is down. Now the question is what's bringing it down.

[T.E.D]

Could it be that Faulty Receiver CON?

[T.E.D]

Okay, so I cleared the code's and then checked the codes again and these were the codes right off the bat.

Then turned off the car then read the codes again, and these were the codes after.


ALSO, the Mileage is completely off for the K-CAN, the only correct mileage is the first 2 Codes, 74064 KM

[SlackTube]

see post 14. I already told you whats wrong

[T.E.D]

So anyway to fix it without removing the TPM?

[SlackTube]

The TPM is in each tire. Your wanting to unplug the RDC module located behind the RR wheel in the fender liner. It's easy to access, you literally have to remove 2 8mm screws.
unplug the module and cycle the key. If all your lights are gone except TPM light then you need the RDC module replaced and programmed. There is no way around the RDC module

[T.E.D]

Oh okay thanks, i could try to reprogram it. If thats causing it

[SlackTube]

Reprogram will not fix it. RDC control unit needs replaced. The issue is water ingress and the circuit board inside is corroded and green.

[T.E.D]

Okay so, I just came home from school and was able to diagnose it and it came to my attention that this problem started after the car went over a pothole and when I hit the top of the dashboard the system goes all wonky and that error comes up.

[SlackTube]

There is an SIB about k-can wiring shorts on E90 but I've never seen one with an actual chaffed wife. 99% of the time it is RDC control unit. This will get very expensive IF it us a wiring short as someone will need to gut the car to trace k-can wires. Most common locations are behind the instrument cluster and under the center console. I still think it's RDC by the way.