4/2/2020

61 03 20_MIL MAY BE ILLUMINATED BY ERRONEOUS FAULT IN THE DME

SIB 61 03 20
MIL MAY BE ILLUMINATED BY ERRONEOUS FAULT IN THE DME

2020-03-09

MODEL
E-Series
G12
G30

Model Description
7 Series Sedan (PHEV)
5 Series Sedan (PHEV)

Production Date
July 1st, 2018 to March 1st, 2020

SITUATION
The customer states that the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is illuminated.
During diagnosis, fault code 231507 “BDC RESET by watchdog” stored in the DME.

CAUSE
Software error in the Body Domain Control (BDC) unit.
Important: Only Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) are affected.

PROCEDURE
1. Perform vehicle test with the latest version of ISTA and read fault memory.
2. Is the fault code 231507 “BDC RESET by watchdog” the only fault stored in the DME?
Yes: Proceed to next step
No: Work through the corresponding test modules
3. Is the vehicle’s I-level older (lower) than S15A-20-03-524?
Yes: Proceed to next step
NO: Submit TSARA case for further assistance.
4. Program the vehicle using ISTA 4.22.1x or higher (released late February 2020).
Target integration level
Model
G12
G30

S15A-20-03-524 or higher

Note that ISTA will automatically reprogram and code all programmable control modules that do not
have the latest software.
5. If necessary start the combustion engine repeatedly up to 3 times for the MIL to go out.
6. Clear fault memory and reassess the vehicle.
Always connect a BMW-approved battery charger/power supply (SI B04 23 10).
For information on programming and coding with ISTA, refer to DealerSpeed / TIS / Technical
Documentation / Diagnostics and Programming / Programming Documentation.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Copyright ©2020 BMW of North America, Inc.
1/3

4/2/2020

61 03 20_MIL MAY BE ILLUMINATED BY ERRONEOUS FAULT IN THE DME

During this workshop visit, the affected vehicle may also show one or more programming and encoding
Technical Campaign repairs open, the programming and encoding procedure may only be invoiced one
time.
Update the vehicle to the required I-level or higher by performing and submitting for one of the open
Technical Campaigns instead. Please be sure to also perform any additional work (before and/or
after) the campaign repairs require and/or close the remaining open programming and encoding
Technical Campaign repairs as outlined in the corresponding Service Information Bulletin.
Only if the above situation does not apply, the BMW software solution is then:
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks or
the BMW Certified Pre-Owned Program as described below.
BDC Body Domain Controller software error / internal
equipment fault

Defect Code:

6138270200

Labor Operation

Description
Performing vehicle test (with vehicle diagnosis system –
checking faults) (Main work)

00 00 006

Labor Allowance
Refer to AIR

Or:
00 00 556

Performing vehicle test (with vehicle diagnosis system –
checking faults) (Plus work)

Refer to AIR

Connect an approved battery charger/power supply
(indicated in AIR as Charging battery)

Refer to AIR

Recharging high-voltage battery unit (to high voltage
charging socket)

Refer to AIR

Programming/encoding control unit(s)

Refer to AIR

And:
61 21 528
And:
61 25 910
And:
61 00 730

If you are using a Main labor code for another repair, use the Plus code labor operation 00 00 556 instead of
00 00 006.
Refer to AIR for the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowances.
Programming and Encoding - Vehicle Control Units (RO and Claim Comments Required)
The programming procedure automatically reprograms and encodes all vehicle control modules which do
not have the latest software I-level. If one or more control module failures occur during this programming
procedure:

Please claim this consequential control module-related repair work (including performing the
IRAP Control Unit Recovery procedure first as required, refer to the SIB in AIR) under the
defect code listed in this bulletin with the applicable AIR labor operations.
Please explain this additional work (The why and what) on the repair order and in the claim comments
section
For control module failures that occurred prior to performing this programming procedure:

Copyright ©2020 BMW of North America, Inc.
2/3

4/2/2020

61 03 20_MIL MAY BE ILLUMINATED BY ERRONEOUS FAULT IN THE DME

When covered under an applicable limited warranty, claim the applicable test plan and the
corresponding control module-related repair work using the applicable defect code and labor
operations in AIR (including diagnosis with separate punch times).
Other Repairs
If other eligible and covered work is performed as a result of performing the ISTA diagnostics and related
test plans, claim this work with the applicable defect code and the labor operations that are listed in AIR
(including diagnosis with separate punch times).

Copyright ©2020 BMW of North America, Inc.
3/3