4/26/23, 2:38 PM

66 08 23_KAFAS04 CAMERA-BASED ASSISTANCE SYSTEM LIMITS

SIB 66 08 23
KAFAS04 CAMERA-BASED ASSISTANCE SYSTEM LIMITS

2023-04-20

MODEL
ESeries
F44
G01
G02
G05
G06
G07
G12

2 Series Gran Coupe
X3 Sports Activity Vehicle1
X4 Sports Activity Coupe1
X5 Sports Activity Vehicle
X6 Sports Activity Coupe
X7 Sports Activity Vehicle
7 Series Sedan2

ESeries
G16
G20
G22
G23
G26
G29
G30

G14

8 Series Convertible

G32

G15

8 Series Coupe

G42

Model Description

Model Description

Affected
Option Code

8 Series Gran Coupe
3 Series Sedan
4 Series Coupe
4 Series Convertible
4 Series Gran Coupe
Z4 Roadster
5 Series Sedan3
640i xDrive Gran
Turismo3
2 Series Coupe

OE 5AV
or
OE 5AQ
or
OE 5DF
or
OE 5AS
or
OE 5AU

Production date ranges
1- From August 1, 2021 onwards.
2- From March 1, 2019 onwards.
3- From July 1, 2020 onwards.

SITUATION
The camera-based driver assistance systems (KAFAS) provide support for the following systems:
Lane Departure Warning with active feedback
Collision warning with city braking function
Pedestrian/cyclist warning with city braking function
Road sign detection / Speed Limit Assist
Lane Change Warning/Assist
Crossing-traffic Warning
Distance information
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function
Steering and Lane Control Assistant
Emergency Stop Assistant
Lane Keeping Assistant with active side collision protection
Evasion Assistant
Crossing-traffic Warning
Wrong-way Warning (Wrong-way Assist)
Issues with the various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (KAFAS system) can
possibly lead to following customer complaints:
KAFAS camera system deactivates itself, due to system restrictions that are not clear to the customer
KAFAS camera system cannot be activated due to system restrictions that are not clear to the customer
Road signs are sporadically not detected
Various Check Control messages and the following fault memory entries may also appear alongside these
complaints:
Fault code – 800ABF - KAFAS camera – Field of vision impaired for a short time

CAUSE
Limitations of camera-based driver assistance systems (KAFAS04).

Copyright ©2023 BMW of North America, Inc.
about:blank

1/6

4/26/23, 2:38 PM

66 08 23_KAFAS04 CAMERA-BASED ASSISTANCE SYSTEM LIMITS

PROCEDURE
Determine what is the vehicle’s current I-level by either using AIR or the ISPA NEXT/Aftersales Workplace
(AWP) applications.
If KAFAS fault memories are available, they must be diagnosed with ISTA first.
Marginal conditions that may be linked to the complaint situation must be clarified and, if applicable, stopped
as follows: Visual inspections belowIs the windscreen in the camera area clean from the outside and not covered (miscellaneous soiling,
streaks, road salt, stickers, etc.)?
Yes
Clean the windscreen, check wiper quality (smearing especially in the camera field of view);
recommend that the customer renew the wiper blades, if necessary.
No
Continue with steps below.
Check the KAFAS camera installation and check that the camera holder is correctly installed. Is the
KAFAS camera correctly locked into the holder?
Is there any wiring in the field of view of the camera (e.g. driving light sensor cable)?
Is the camera holder glued straight onto the window glass?
Is the camera pointing straight ahead (visual inspection from the outside)?

Note: If a fault was detected on the camera holder (not glued correctly), the windscreen needs to be
replaced, according to the repair instructions.
Ask the customer clarifying questions prior to diagnosis.
Was visibility restricted at the time of the complaint due to heavy rain, snowfall, icing, fog, low or dazzling
sun (strong back light), tunnel entries / exits (rapid change from bright / dark)?
Does the customer encounter such weather phenomena or special conditions (driving every morning
looking into the sun low down on the horizon, regular dew/frost on the windscreen, regular thick fog, ...)?
All these environmental conditions can lead to reduced visibility and therefore to functional restrictions for
safety reasons.
Were vehicles with a non-typical rear end (whether passenger car / truck) not recognized, for example
trucks with tree trunks, heavy loads, passenger cars with a loaded trailer?
Did a vehicle driving ahead suddenly change lanes?
Was another obstacle too close to the edge of the road (pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, side road
traffic) or was a parked vehicle protruding into the lane?
Was the vehicle driving ahead a two-wheeled vehicle?

If the above-mentioned points yielded no result, then carry out the diagnosis with ISTA and work through the
corresponding test module if necessary.
If no faults could be identified and no entries have been made in the fault memory, inform the customer
about the limitations of the camera based KAFAS system (see also operating instructions).

Copyright ©2023 BMW of North America, Inc.

about:blank

2/6

4/26/23, 2:38 PM

66 08 23_KAFAS04 CAMERA-BASED ASSISTANCE SYSTEM LIMITS

Various limitations of the camera-based system are described in more detail in the Owner’s Manual
(electronic version in the vehicle, or the actual printed manual) in the “Driver assistance systems” section.
Important: Proceed as follows for vehicles with chassis conversions and performance problems
with the driver assistance system (for example, false warnings):
Read out the I level as noted above
Is the I level is greater (higher) than or equal to …19-07-500?
Yes
Do not program the vehicle. Diagnosis with ISTA is needed.
No
Program and encode the vehicle to the current I-level.

Note: This programming activates a height detector in the camera-based driver assistance system.
If there is (raised or lowered suspension) greater than 6% than the value coded in the camera, the Check
Control message (CCM-ID 311) “High-beam Assistant” is created.
In this case the fault memory 800AC8 “Permanent calibration error” is also entered.
Important: After programming, the KAFAS camera can take up to approximately 65 miles to fully adapt
Reassess the vehicle

If during the test drive the Check Control - message (CCM-1D 311) “High-beam Assistant” is displayed and
“Permanent calibration error” is displayed during the fault memory search with ISTA 800AC8, the
corresponding test module must be worked through.
Important additional points.
The system does not absolve the driver from taking responsibility for speed, distance and adapting their
driving style to the traffic conditions and ambient conditions ("Personal responsibility")
The camera cannot see the traffic ahead in these situations and thereby loses the reference to the vehicle ahead
and switches off for safety reasons. A parts replacement does not provide a solution in this case.

After replacing the windscreen, calibration must be started manually using the diagnosis system.
Start calibration via the diagnosis system and inform the customer that the calibration may
take some time along with possible limitations on individual functions as a result.
Is the tire size within the range permitted by BMW for the vehicle? Non-approved tires can lead to
anomalous system behavior, because of which the KAFAS camera switches off for safety reasons.
If changing tire sizes, you must calibrate KAFAS using ISTA.
Chassis modifications (raised or lowered suspension) can lead to deviating system behavior and
customer complaints. In vehicles with chassis modifications, the KAFAS camera can switch off for
safety reasons after a chassis modification and display various Check Control messages.

CLAIM INFORMATION
This Service Information Bulletin provides technical, diagnosis, and repair-related information.

Copyright ©2023 BMW of North America, Inc.
about:blank

3/6

4/26/23, 2:38 PM

66 08 23_KAFAS04 CAMERA-BASED ASSISTANCE SYSTEM LIMITS

System function issues caused by outside influences, soiling, obstructions, damage, improper prior repairs,
mis-matched/incorrect and/or aftermarket equipment as noted above, are not covered under the BMW
limited warranties.
Eligible and Covered Work/Repairs
Repairs that address a verified defect in materials or workmanship is covered under the terms of the BMW
New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks.
To submit a claim, please follow the established and applicable warranty policy and procedures
(Labor/Part/Sublet) that apply to the repair being performed.
Refer to AIR for the corresponding Defect Code, flat rate labor operations (including the diagnosis that
applies*) and the flat rate unit (FRU) allowances.
Only one Main labor operation code can be claimed per repair visit.
Vehicle Programming and Encoding (When applicable)
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.
Select one of these open Technical Campaigns to perform and submit for updating the vehicle to the required I-level
or higher.
Please be sure to also perform any additional before and/or after work (including attaching labels) as required by
the open campaigns on the vehicle. Close any other open programming and encoding Campaign repairs as outlined
in the corresponding Service Information Bulletin.

Only when the above 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.
Defect Code:

6138160200

KAFAS control unit (camera-based driver assist systems)
Software error / internal device fault

Refer to AIR for the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowances.
Labor
Operation
00 00 006
Or:
00 00 556
And:
61 21 528
And, as needed:
61 00 006*
Or:
00 58 500*
And:
61 00 730

Description

Labor Allowance

Carrying out vehicle test (Main work)

Refer to AIR

Carrying out vehicle test (Plus work)

Refer to AIR

Supporting voltage of the vehicle electrical system /
recharging vehicle battery

Refer to AIR

Carrying out vehicle diagnosis, ABL (Work time)

WT

Diagnosis Worktime Flat Rate

2 FRU

Program/encode control unit(s), includes deleting the fault
memory

Refer to AIR

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, or exclude (including 61 21 528) when the Vehicle Test is included in another repair.

Copyright ©2023 BMW of North America, Inc.
about:blank

4/6

4/26/23, 2:38 PM

66 08 23_KAFAS04 CAMERA-BASED ASSISTANCE SYSTEM LIMITS

Work time labor operation codes 61 00 006 and 00 58 500 are not considered Main labor operations.
Vehicle Programming and Encoding – Additional Work (RO and Claim Comments Required)
This procedure automatically reprograms and encodes any vehicle control modules that do not have the latest software Ilevel.
If one or more control modules fail during the reprogramming procedure, claim the required consequential repair work
procedures to address this issue (including performing the IRAP Control Unit Recovery first as required, refer to the SIB in
AIR) under the Defect Code in this bulletin with the labor operations in AIR that apply.
Please explain the additional work procedures that were performed (The why and the what) on the repair order and in the
claim comments.
For covered repairs that address control module failures that occurred prior to performing this reprogramming procedure,
claim this work with the Defect Code and labor operations (including the diagnosis that applies*) in AIR that apply.

*Based on which one applies to your center, please refer to SI B01 01 20 or B01 07 20 for the applicable
procedure for documenting, claiming, and explaining, on the RO and in the claim comments, your diagnosis
work time (WT), job/repair work time (WT), and the vehicle repairs your center performed, unless otherwise
required by State law.

FEEDBACK REGARDING THIS BULLETIN
Technical Feedback
Warranty Feedback

To submit feedback for the technical topic of this bulletin: Submit your
feedback in the rating box at the top of this bulletin
To submit feedback for the CLAIMS section of this bulletin: Submit an IDS
ticket to the Warranty Department, or use the chat available in the Warranty
Documentation Portal

Copyright ©2023 BMW of North America, Inc.
about:blank

5/6

4/26/23, 2:38 PM

66 08 23_KAFAS04 CAMERA-BASED ASSISTANCE SYSTEM LIMITS

Copyright ©2023 BMW of North America, Inc.
about:blank

6/6