Is The BMW Catalytic Converter Code Costing You?

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The Bmw Catalytic Converter Code indicates issues with your catalytic converter’s efficiency. Addressing it promptly ensures optimal engine performance and minimizes environmental impact. Let AutoExplain.com assist you in diagnosing and resolving catalytic converter issues, preventing costly repairs and maintaining your BMW’s performance. We are here to help you with catalyst system efficiency, oxygen sensors, and exhaust leaks.

1. What Does a BMW Catalytic Converter Code Mean?

A BMW catalytic converter code signifies that the catalytic converter isn’t functioning efficiently, failing to adequately reduce harmful emissions, so it is important to know the BMW catalytic converter replacement cost. This triggers a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) in your car’s onboard computer, which illuminates the check engine light. The most common codes are P0420 and P0430, indicating low catalytic converter efficiency for bank 1 and bank 2, respectively. The catalytic converter is a crucial component in your BMW’s exhaust system, responsible for converting harmful gases like hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into less harmful substances such as carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and nitrogen (N2).

  • Catalytic Converter Function: The catalytic converter uses chemical reactions to reduce pollutants.
  • Emission Standards: Failing converters result in non-compliance with emission standards.

2. What Are the Common BMW Catalytic Converter Codes?

Common BMW catalytic converter codes include P0420 and P0430, which signal catalyst system efficiency below threshold. These codes indicate the catalytic converter’s inability to effectively reduce harmful emissions. Here are some of the most common BMW catalytic converter codes, their meanings, and potential causes:

Code Description Possible Causes
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) Aged or damaged catalytic converter, exhaust leaks, faulty oxygen sensors (O2 sensors), rich or lean fuel mixture, engine misfires, oil contamination of the converter, damaged exhaust manifold.
P0430 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2) Aged or damaged catalytic converter, exhaust leaks, faulty oxygen sensors (O2 sensors), rich or lean fuel mixture, engine misfires, oil contamination of the converter, damaged exhaust manifold.
P0421 Warm Up Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) Faulty catalytic converter, exhaust leaks, defective O2 sensors, engine misfires, incorrect fuel mixture, vacuum leaks.
P0431 Warm Up Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2) Faulty catalytic converter, exhaust leaks, defective O2 sensors, engine misfires, incorrect fuel mixture, vacuum leaks.
P0422 Main Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) Aged or damaged catalytic converter, exhaust leaks, issues with the engine’s air-fuel ratio, faulty O2 sensors, engine misfires, damaged exhaust manifold.
P0432 Main Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2) Aged or damaged catalytic converter, exhaust leaks, issues with the engine’s air-fuel ratio, faulty O2 sensors, engine misfires, damaged exhaust manifold.
P0130 O2 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 1) Defective O2 sensor, wiring issues (shorts, opens, corrosion), faulty ECU, exhaust leaks.
P0133 O2 Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 1, Sensor 1) Aging O2 sensor, exhaust leaks, wiring problems, contamination of the sensor, issues with the ECU.
P0136 O2 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 2) Defective O2 sensor, wiring problems, exhaust leaks, ECU issues.
P0140 O2 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected (Bank 1, Sensor 2) Faulty O2 sensor, wiring issues, exhaust leaks, problems with the ECU.
P0171 System Too Lean (Bank 1) Vacuum leaks, faulty mass airflow (MAF) sensor, defective O2 sensor, fuel delivery issues (e.g., weak fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, dirty fuel injectors), unmetered air entering the engine.
P0174 System Too Lean (Bank 2) Vacuum leaks, faulty mass airflow (MAF) sensor, defective O2 sensor, fuel delivery issues (e.g., weak fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, dirty fuel injectors), unmetered air entering the engine.
P0300 Random Misfire Detected Faulty spark plugs, ignition coils, or fuel injectors; vacuum leaks; low compression; incorrect timing; defective crankshaft or camshaft sensor; issues with the ECU.
P1128 Long Term Fuel Trim Additive Air, Bank 1 System Too Lean Vacuum leaks, malfunctioning MAF sensor, defective O2 sensor, fuel pressure issues.
P1129 Long Term Fuel Trim Additive Air, Bank 2 System Too Lean Vacuum leaks, malfunctioning MAF sensor, defective O2 sensor, fuel pressure issues.
29F4 DME, catalytic converter conversion, bank 1 Aged or damaged catalytic converter, exhaust leaks, faulty oxygen sensors (O2 sensors), rich or lean fuel mixture, engine misfires, oil contamination of the converter, damaged exhaust manifold, issues with the engine’s air-fuel ratio.
29F5 DME, catalytic converter conversion, bank 2 Aged or damaged catalytic converter, exhaust leaks, faulty oxygen sensors (O2 sensors), rich or lean fuel mixture, engine misfires, oil contamination of the converter, damaged exhaust manifold, issues with the engine’s air-fuel ratio.
2737 Oxygen sensor before catalytic converter, signal line, short circuit to positive Short in wiring, faulty oxygen sensor.
2738 Oxygen sensor before catalytic converter, signal line, short circuit to ground Wiring issue, faulty oxygen sensor.
2739 Oxygen sensor before catalytic converter, signal line, interruption Damaged wiring, faulty oxygen sensor.
2741 Oxygen sensor after catalytic converter, signal line, short circuit to positive Short in wiring, faulty oxygen sensor.
2742 Oxygen sensor after catalytic converter, signal line, short circuit to ground Wiring issue, faulty oxygen sensor.
2743 Oxygen sensor after catalytic converter, signal line, interruption Damaged wiring, faulty oxygen sensor.
2745 Oxygen sensor heater before catalytic converter, activation, short circuit to positive Short in wiring, faulty oxygen sensor.
2746 Oxygen sensor heater before catalytic converter, activation, short circuit to ground Wiring issue, faulty oxygen sensor.
2747 Oxygen sensor heater before catalytic converter, activation, interruption Damaged wiring, faulty oxygen sensor.
2749 Oxygen sensor heater after catalytic converter, activation, short circuit to positive Short in wiring, faulty oxygen sensor.
274A Oxygen sensor heater after catalytic converter, activation, short circuit to ground Wiring issue, faulty oxygen sensor.
274B Oxygen sensor heater after catalytic converter, activation, interruption Damaged wiring, faulty oxygen sensor.
29E0 Fuel mixture control, bank 1 Vacuum leaks, faulty mass airflow (MAF) sensor, defective O2 sensor, fuel delivery issues (e.g., weak fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, dirty fuel injectors), unmetered air entering the engine.
29E1 Fuel mixture control, bank 2 Vacuum leaks, faulty mass airflow (MAF) sensor, defective O2 sensor, fuel delivery issues (e.g., weak fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, dirty fuel injectors), unmetered air entering the engine.
2A2B Fuel mixture adaptation, bank 1, mixture too lean Vacuum leaks, malfunctioning MAF sensor, defective O2 sensor, fuel pressure issues.
2A2C Fuel mixture adaptation, bank 2, mixture too lean Vacuum leaks, malfunctioning MAF sensor, defective O2 sensor, fuel pressure issues.
2A2D Fuel mixture adaptation, bank 1, mixture too rich Faulty fuel injectors, high fuel pressure, defective O2 sensor.
2A2E Fuel mixture adaptation, bank 2, mixture too rich Faulty fuel injectors, high fuel pressure, defective O2 sensor.
2C31 Oxygen sensor before catalytic converter, trimming control Exhaust leaks, vacuum leaks, faulty oxygen sensor.
2C32 Oxygen sensor after catalytic converter, trimming control Exhaust leaks, vacuum leaks, faulty oxygen sensor.
2C6C Oxygen sensor after catalytic converter, signal implausible Exhaust leaks, faulty oxygen sensor.
2C6D Oxygen sensor after catalytic converter, signal implausible Exhaust leaks, faulty oxygen sensor.
2CA0 Oxygen sensor heater after catalytic converter, activation Faulty oxygen sensor, wiring issues.
2CA1 Oxygen sensor heater after catalytic converter, activation Faulty oxygen sensor, wiring issues.
2D0F Air-mass flow sensor, signal Faulty MAF sensor, vacuum leak.
2D24 Air-mass flow sensor, signal implausible Faulty MAF sensor, vacuum leak.
2D31 Oxygen sensor before catalytic converter, signal line, aging Aged oxygen sensor, exhaust leak.
2D32 Oxygen sensor before catalytic converter, signal line, aging Aged oxygen sensor, exhaust leak.
2D60 Oxygen sensor after catalytic converter, signal line, aging Aged oxygen sensor, exhaust leak.
2D61 Oxygen sensor after catalytic converter, signal line, aging Aged oxygen sensor, exhaust leak.
2E98 Generator, serial data interface Faulty generator, wiring issues.
2EF4 Map thermostat, activation Faulty thermostat, wiring issues.
2F0D Exhaust backpressure sensor, electrical Faulty exhaust backpressure sensor, wiring issues.
2F11 Fuel high pressure, plausibility Faulty high-pressure fuel pump, fuel pressure sensor, fuel injectors, or related components. It can also be triggered by issues with the fuel pressure regulator, fuel filter, or even a problem with the engine control unit (ECU) that manages the fuel system.
2F6A Oil level sensor, signal Faulty oil level sensor, wiring issues.
2F71 Oil temperature sensor, signal Faulty oil temperature sensor, wiring issues.
2F76 Engine oil pressure sensor, electrical Faulty engine oil pressure sensor, wiring issues.
2F7A BSD, message; power management, missing Issues with the BSD (Bit-Serial Data) communication interface, or problems with the power management system.
2F9E Thermal oil-level sensor, communication Faulty thermal oil-level sensor, wiring issues.
2FF0 Coolant temperature sensor, signal Faulty coolant temperature sensor, wiring issues.
30BA DME, digital motor electronics, internal failure Internal failure of the DME (Digital Motor Electronics) module.
3100 Boost-pressure control, deactivation Faulty boost pressure control system.
3104 Air mass flow sensor, plausibility Faulty MAF sensor, vacuum leak.
31DA Exhaust-gas recirculation valve, activation Faulty EGR valve, wiring issues.
3224 Exhaust-gas recirculation cooler, plausibility Faulty EGR cooler, wiring issues.
3261 Knock sensor 1, signal Faulty knock sensor, wiring issues.
3265 Knock sensor 2, signal Faulty knock sensor, wiring issues.
32A0 Exhaust flap, activation Faulty exhaust flap, wiring issues.
32A2 Exhaust flap, position control Faulty exhaust flap, wiring issues.
3395 Valvetronic eccentric shaft sensor, plausibility Faulty Valvetronic eccentric shaft sensor, wiring issues.
33A0 Valvetronic, adjustment range exceeded Valvetronic system issue, mechanical problem.
33A1 Valvetronic, servo motor, position control Valvetronic servo motor issue, wiring problems.
33B3 Valvetronic, servo motor, speed monitoring Valvetronic servo motor issue, wiring problems.
33BC Valvetronic, power limitation, activation Valvetronic system issue, possibly due to overheating or other limiting factors.
33BD Valvetronic, thermal overload protection Valvetronic system issue, specifically related to thermal overload protection being activated.
36D0 Injectors, activation, cylinder 1 Faulty fuel injector, wiring issues.
36D1 Injectors, activation, cylinder 2 Faulty fuel injector, wiring issues.
36D2 Injectors, activation, cylinder 3 Faulty fuel injector, wiring issues.
36D3 Injectors, activation, cylinder 4 Faulty fuel injector, wiring issues.
36D4 Injectors, activation, cylinder 5 Faulty fuel injector, wiring issues.
36D5 Injectors, activation, cylinder 6 Faulty fuel injector, wiring issues.
36D6 Injectors, activation, cylinder 7 Faulty fuel injector, wiring issues.
36D7 Injectors, activation, cylinder 8 Faulty fuel injector, wiring issues.
3701 Crankshaft sensor, signal implausible Faulty crankshaft sensor, wiring issues.
3719 Camshaft sensor, signal implausible Faulty camshaft sensor, wiring issues.
372B VANOS, intake, control error VANOS system issue, mechanical problem.
372C VANOS, exhaust, control error VANOS system issue, mechanical problem.
3780 Throttle-valve angle sensor, signal implausible Faulty throttle-valve angle sensor, wiring issues.
3782 Throttle-valve actuator, control deviation during test routine Faulty throttle-valve actuator, wiring issues.
3783 Throttle-valve actuator, adaptation value outside permissible range Faulty throttle-valve actuator, wiring issues.
3790 Idle-speed control valve, activation Faulty idle-speed control valve, wiring issues.
379A Intake-air temperature sensor, signal implausible Faulty intake-air temperature sensor, wiring issues.
37A8 Fuel tank vent valve, activation Faulty fuel tank vent valve, wiring issues.
37AA Leak diagnosis pump, activation Faulty leak diagnosis pump, wiring issues.
37E7 Secondary-air system, bank 1, flow rate too low Faulty secondary-air system.
37E8 Secondary-air system, bank 2, flow rate too low Faulty secondary-air system.
387F Swirl-flap actuator, control deviation Faulty swirl-flap actuator.
38A4 Hot film air mass meter, signal Faulty hot film air mass meter.
38A6 Hot film air mass meter, plausibility Faulty hot film air mass meter.
38BB Fuel pump relay, activation Faulty fuel pump relay.
38D1 Fuel pump, delivery rate Faulty fuel pump.
38E8 Tank ventilation valve, activation Faulty tank ventilation valve.
3900 Crankshaft-inlet camshaft synchronization Synchronization issue with the crankshaft and inlet camshaft.
3901 Crankshaft-exhaust camshaft synchronization Synchronization issue with the crankshaft and exhaust camshaft.
3920 Turbocharger, blow-off valve, activation Turbocharger blow-off valve issue.
3930 Boost pressure sensor, electrical Boost pressure sensor issue.
3931 Boost pressure sensor, plausibility Boost pressure sensor issue.
3971 Boost pressure, plausibility Boost pressure issue.
3985 Rail pressure sensor, electrical Rail pressure sensor issue.
3986 Rail pressure sensor, plausibility Rail pressure sensor issue.
3990 Rail pressure control valve, activation Rail pressure control valve issue.
39A0 Lambda probe heating after catalyst, activation Lambda probe heating issue.
39B0 Lambda probe heating before catalyst, activation Lambda probe heating issue.
39C0 Lambda probe after catalyst, trimming control Lambda probe issue.
39D0 Lambda probe before catalyst, trimming control Lambda probe issue.
3A00 Fuel mass, plausibility Fuel mass issue.
3A09 Air mass, plausibility Air mass issue.
3A10 Intake air temperature sensor, electrical Intake air temperature sensor issue.
3A19 Exhaust gas temperature before catalyst, plausibility Exhaust gas temperature sensor issue.
3A20 Exhaust gas temperature after catalyst, plausibility Exhaust gas temperature sensor issue.
3A30 Exhaust gas recirculation valve, position control Exhaust gas recirculation valve issue.
3A40 Exhaust gas recirculation cooler, bypass valve, activation Exhaust gas recirculation cooler issue.
3A50 Exhaust backpressure sensor before turbine, plausibility Exhaust backpressure sensor issue.
3A60 Differential pressure sensor particle filter, plausibility Differential pressure sensor issue.
3A70 Particulate filter system, plausibility Particulate filter system issue.
3A80 Additive metering valve, activation Additive metering valve issue.
3AA0 Reductant injector, activation Reductant injector issue.
3AB0 Reductant metering valve, activation Reductant metering valve issue.
3AC0 Reductant pressure sensor, electrical Reductant pressure sensor issue.
3AD0 Reductant temperature sensor, electrical Reductant temperature sensor issue.
3AE0 Reductant tank heating, activation Reductant tank heating issue.
3AF0 Reductant pump, activation Reductant pump issue.
3B00 Reductant level sensor, electrical Reductant level sensor issue.
3B10 Reductant control unit, internal fault Reductant control unit issue.

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Josh William

Josh William

Josh William is a seasoned automotive expert and technical writer at AutoExplain. With a background as an automotive technician, he brings hands-on experience and deep industry knowledge to his writing.