My car threw a code.. ideas?

mrgoochio · 11-08-2008, 02:31 PM

My car only has 2xxx miles on it and is about 6 months old.. It is my weekend car and when I started it up the other day, it threw a yellow code that looks something like this (,,!,,). I looked it up in the book and I said something about the tires or tire pressure monitoring system. Do you guys have any idea why it would throw this code suddenly? The code hasn't gone away so I think I'll have to go down to the dealership but I was just curious for some insight before I do.

mikeo · 11-08-2008, 02:42 PM

Check your tire pressure and bring it back up to recommended levels if needed, then reset the TPMS per instructions in the manual. If that doesn't clear the code visit your dealer.

mrgoochio · 11-08-2008, 05:34 PM

I checked through the maintenance manual posted in the sticky and maybe I'm slow, but the chart confuses me. (tire measurements always did..) Am I reading it right when I think the correct PSI for the tires should be 36psi on all 4 corners? I attached the picture for reference.. What is that 38 and 42 on there for? Can anyone explain this diagram to me better lol. By the way, my tires seem to be anywhere from 30psi to maybe 33psi.. too low?

On the other hand, I wonder if thats the problem.. because I was reading the manual on how the TPMS actually works and it seems like the system wouldn't detect a slow leakage of pressure and if it was on all four wheels.. Once I verify the correct psi for the wheels I'll go fill it up and then reset the system and go from there though.

Bizall · 11-08-2008, 05:34 PM

Yep, make sure your air pressure it gtg, then reset the sensors by scrolling to TPMS then reset then hold side button down. With the weather getting cooler, I'm sure most will get the same thing.

mrgoochio · 11-08-2008, 05:36 PM

I just posted right before you, I'm not sure if you read my post.. If you can elaborate on my followup post that would be great. Thanks

mikeo · 11-08-2008, 05:50 PM

36 lbs. front and rear (I like 1 lb. more in the front). The warning was thrown most likely due to low tire air pressure, so fill them up and reset the TPMS.

mrgoochio · 11-08-2008, 06:01 PM

Thanks mikeo, I'll try that out and report back later

mrgoochio · 07-15-2009, 08:27 PM

just for reference it was low tire pressure and i reset it and it went away. weird that i got another one yesterday though. going to fill up and reset again

Formel1 · 07-15-2009, 09:06 PM

For about $35.00 you can get a reader, plug it in, get the code and look it up....of course if it is under warranty...just let BMW deal with it...

mrgoochio · 07-20-2009, 08:38 AM

its just low tire pressure, for some reason my passenger side rear wheel was down at 25-26ish psi while all 3 others were still up at about 36. refilled, reset, and no more code

1speedbike · 07-20-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrgoochio

its just low tire pressure, for some reason my passenger side rear wheel was down at 25-26ish psi while all 3 others were still up at about 36. refilled, reset, and no more code

Since you said "weird that ii got another one yesterday" so did it happen more than once? If it did, your tire is leaking

stovesax08 · 07-20-2009, 11:43 AM

Sounds like you have a rear passenger side leaking tire-you should check it out and get it fixed (or listen to bmw and replace it if you really want to).

cagekicker · 07-23-2009, 01:28 AM

strange code!

jeremyc74 · 07-23-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrgoochio

its just low tire pressure, for some reason my passenger side rear wheel was down at 25-26ish psi while all 3 others were still up at about 36. refilled, reset, and no more code

There are a lot of these cars out there with improperly tightened valve stems, and it causes random air leaks. It's a PITA to find, but I'd be willing to bet there's nothing wrong with your tires, only a loose stem or two. All four were loose on my car, one of them got so bad the tire was going down within minutes of filling it up.

JimD · 07-23-2009, 11:17 AM

Anybody know if you can reset this code through a OBD II reader? I have a reader (a cheap one from Harbor Freight but it works well on my other cars) and it is real easy to reset codes that way. I am starting to get used to the BMW system (I set my turn signals to 3 blinks last night) but it is more combursome than plugging in a OBD II and pushing the reset button (it is not quite that easy but it is about 3 steps, you have to read the code first).

stevenc · 07-23-2009, 11:21 AM

Its super easy to reset the TPMS through the dash. But if you fill your tires back up to recommended pressure, the code will go away by its self.

oh and by the way, to the original posted, the 38 psi and 42 psi tire pressures are for when you intend to drive over 100 miles per hour for extended periods of time. For normal driving, the tires are 36 psi front and rear.

jeremyc74 · 07-23-2009, 01:08 PM

I think we need to clear something up here. Low tire pressure isn't an OBDII code. It's an operator warning, just like Low Fuel, or E-Brake on. It should reset itself when the problem is corrected, or through the operator interface. You shouldn't need a code reader for this at all.

x97Melbourne · 07-23-2009, 01:28 PM

i have gotten that twice. first time needed a new tire. replaced under the tire warranty.

second time, i just needed to add air.

and i agree with the others....you don't need a code reader to check your tire pressure.

11-08-2008, 02:31 PM	#1
mrgoochio 135i Coupe Owner! 46 Rep 1,009 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	My car threw a code.. ideas? My car only has 2xxx miles on it and is about 6 months old.. It is my weekend car and when I started it up the other day, it threw a yellow code that looks something like this (,,!,,). I looked it up in the book and I said something about the tires or tire pressure monitoring system. Do you guys have any idea why it would throw this code suddenly? The code hasn't gone away so I think I'll have to go down to the dealership but I was just curious for some insight before I do. __________________ 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Jet Black Sport Pkg. P1 Lemon Boston Leather High Gloss Black Trim Comfort Access System
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11-08-2008, 02:42 PM	#2
mikeo Santa Fe Concorso 103 Rep 2,984 Posts Drives: '11 M-sport 328i, '13 X1 28i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Santa Fe, NM iTrader: (3)	Check your tire pressure and bring it back up to recommended levels if needed, then reset the TPMS per instructions in the manual. If that doesn't clear the code visit your dealer. __________________ Santa Fe Concorso - The Southwest's Premier Automotive Gathering.
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11-08-2008, 05:34 PM	#3
mrgoochio 135i Coupe Owner! 46 Rep 1,009 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I checked through the maintenance manual posted in the sticky and maybe I'm slow, but the chart confuses me. (tire measurements always did..) Am I reading it right when I think the correct PSI for the tires should be 36psi on all 4 corners? I attached the picture for reference.. What is that 38 and 42 on there for? Can anyone explain this diagram to me better lol. By the way, my tires seem to be anywhere from 30psi to maybe 33psi.. too low? On the other hand, I wonder if thats the problem.. because I was reading the manual on how the TPMS actually works and it seems like the system wouldn't detect a slow leakage of pressure and if it was on all four wheels.. Once I verify the correct psi for the wheels I'll go fill it up and then reset the system and go from there though. Attached Images __________________ 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Jet Black Sport Pkg. P1 Lemon Boston Leather High Gloss Black Trim Comfort Access System
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11-08-2008, 05:34 PM	#4
Bizall Captain 123 Rep 905 Posts Drives: 2019 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (0)	Yep, make sure your air pressure it gtg, then reset the sensors by scrolling to TPMS then reset then hold side button down. With the weather getting cooler, I'm sure most will get the same thing.
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11-08-2008, 05:36 PM	#5
mrgoochio 135i Coupe Owner! 46 Rep 1,009 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I just posted right before you, I'm not sure if you read my post.. If you can elaborate on my followup post that would be great. Thanks __________________ 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Jet Black Sport Pkg. P1 Lemon Boston Leather High Gloss Black Trim Comfort Access System
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11-08-2008, 05:50 PM	#6
mikeo Santa Fe Concorso 103 Rep 2,984 Posts Drives: '11 M-sport 328i, '13 X1 28i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Santa Fe, NM iTrader: (3)	36 lbs. front and rear (I like 1 lb. more in the front). The warning was thrown most likely due to low tire air pressure, so fill them up and reset the TPMS. __________________ Santa Fe Concorso - The Southwest's Premier Automotive Gathering.
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11-08-2008, 06:01 PM	#7
mrgoochio 135i Coupe Owner! 46 Rep 1,009 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Thanks mikeo, I'll try that out and report back later __________________ 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Jet Black Sport Pkg. P1 Lemon Boston Leather High Gloss Black Trim Comfort Access System
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07-15-2009, 08:27 PM	#8
mrgoochio 135i Coupe Owner! 46 Rep 1,009 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	just for reference it was low tire pressure and i reset it and it went away. weird that i got another one yesterday though. going to fill up and reset again __________________ 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Jet Black Sport Pkg. P1 Lemon Boston Leather High Gloss Black Trim Comfort Access System
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07-15-2009, 09:06 PM	#9
Formel1 Second Lieutenant 47 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Winter Park, FL iTrader: (1)	For about $35.00 you can get a reader, plug it in, get the code and look it up....of course if it is under warranty...just let BMW deal with it...
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07-20-2009, 08:38 AM	#10
mrgoochio 135i Coupe Owner! 46 Rep 1,009 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	its just low tire pressure, for some reason my passenger side rear wheel was down at 25-26ish psi while all 3 others were still up at about 36. refilled, reset, and no more code __________________ 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Jet Black Sport Pkg. P1 Lemon Boston Leather High Gloss Black Trim Comfort Access System
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07-20-2009, 11:43 AM	#12
stovesax08 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 269 Posts Drives: 135i, X5 45e Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	Sounds like you have a rear passenger side leaking tire-you should check it out and get it fixed (or listen to bmw and replace it if you really want to). __________________ 135i Coupe-Manual, Montego, Lemon, HG Black, sport, premium, CA, HiFi, Ipod/USB, heated seats
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07-23-2009, 01:28 AM	#13
cagekicker Major 16 Rep 1,335 Posts Drives: '09 crimson red 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: miami (vice city) fl. iTrader: (0)	strange code! __________________ 6MT/ Sport Package/ N54/ Asa wheels/ Eibach pro kit springs/ Active autowerke Exhaust/ 35% tint
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07-23-2009, 11:17 AM	#15
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	Anybody know if you can reset this code through a OBD II reader? I have a reader (a cheap one from Harbor Freight but it works well on my other cars) and it is real easy to reset codes that way. I am starting to get used to the BMW system (I set my turn signals to 3 blinks last night) but it is more combursome than plugging in a OBD II and pushing the reset button (it is not quite that easy but it is about 3 steps, you have to read the code first). __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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07-23-2009, 11:21 AM	#16
stevenc Coming Soon 254 Rep 960 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M4 Alphine White MT Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Its super easy to reset the TPMS through the dash. But if you fill your tires back up to recommended pressure, the code will go away by its self. oh and by the way, to the original posted, the 38 psi and 42 psi tire pressures are for when you intend to drive over 100 miles per hour for extended periods of time. For normal driving, the tires are 36 psi front and rear.
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07-23-2009, 01:08 PM	#17
jeremyc74 Banned 76 Rep 5,970 Posts Drives: '08 135i Montego/Terra Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Evansville, IN iTrader: (0)	I think we need to clear something up here. Low tire pressure isn't an OBDII code. It's an operator warning, just like Low Fuel, or E-Brake on. It should reset itself when the problem is corrected, or through the operator interface. You shouldn't need a code reader for this at all.
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07-23-2009, 01:28 PM	#18
x97Melbourne Molar World 47 Rep 916 Posts Drives: 2016 435i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	i have gotten that twice. first time needed a new tire. replaced under the tire warranty. second time, i just needed to add air. and i agree with the others....you don't need a code reader to check your tire pressure. __________________ Current: 2016 435i Coupe Previous: 2014 335i Sedan; 2013 328i Cv, 2011 335i Sedan Gone But Not Forgotten: 2008 135i Convertible (my favorite)
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