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. |