Hello!

I bought a 530d a few months ago that came with a bundle of error codes which im trying to solve. Most of them are easy to problem solve, but some are harder to find. Im new to working on cars and could use some assistance in where to start looking for the problem. Ive downloaded ISTA+ to read codes. My error codes are:

004448 Message error (torque active steering, 0xB9) Reciever DDE, transmitter active steering
00A548 Message (Active Steering, 0x1FC) faulty, reciever KOMBI, transmitter AFS
00D35D No message (active steering, 0x1FC)
00D368 No message (LWS steering box, 0xC3), reciever DSC, transmitter LWS/RAD
00E244 SZM: K-CAN line fault
S 0058 No communication possible with: Active steering

The last one leads me to believe either wire to active steering module, or the module itself needs to be swapped, but could that be the source of all the other codes as well? Also have K-CAN line fault for CID, but i dont think thats connected.

Ive downloaded the BMW standard tools, but except for ISTA and INPA, i have no clue what they do. But if its needed, ive got it. Any and all help is apreciated! Thanks!

 

Please don’t read while driving. Skip to the end if it’s too much writing.

I’m NOT an expert, I’m only saying this stuff because there’s no other responses and maybe a new perspective will help; and I hope this doesn’t seem rude, but I’ve fixed a lot of different cars… I think using downloads and coding stuff is always a problem. I think there is serious risk involved when working with software because I have doubts that anything downloaded is correct. I think if a person is going to modify an ECU they should just buy a Haltech or Holley or other system. I think if you download or buy a Bentley Manual for the E60, then the diagrams will give you serious help for all that stuff… maybe you already have one. All I’m saying is I think that being able to accurately read wiring diagrams and chasing down fuses and relays and modules seems MUCH more valuable than attempting to fix anything with software. If you can run a multimeter and tell exactly which wire needs to be replaced, then you can basically do the same for modules. Is it the BR/WH wire or the GR/BL wire or the fuse? You know what I mean?

For example, on a Volkswagen, the turn signals wouldn’t work and it was as simple as buying a new turn signal part - not a fuse or wire. On another Volkswagen, the transmission wouldn’t shift and it was as simple as a shift kit install. What I mean is all the codes you’re getting say something about the steering, right? But what if the codes don’t really mean much about what is actually wrong? So, if you have a Bentley Manual, then you can see detailed diagrams of the parts and wires associated and it’s priceless to know what parts actually connect to what and where and how. There is always a chain of parts and even a plug that connects to an engine or transmission sensor is somewhere connected a primary computer. I just think that the codes can actually throw you off track. I think the codes can be anything - especially if an unofficial scanner or download is being used. Even an expensive code scanner can be wrong. I’ve had code scanners that read different than each other. I’m NOT an expert… but those diesels are worth keeping unless there’s too many problems. So, if you can justify keeping the car, then maybe start with attempting to keep all the software as unmodified as possible. The reason a video game can freeze or crash can easily be something as simple as having made one modification that shouldn’t be there. Then it’s game over. Right? A game run on an emulator will work 99% of the time… the 1% is the problem of not being originally controlled.

So, with the OEM BMW electronics, swapping modules has to be risky… all it takes is the factory making one change to one part or line of code over a different production year and now that module will work 98% of the time… but that 2% makes the car stop functioning. A 2007 module in a 2006 car might work… but not always. If my car was saying what yours said, I wouldn’t go to the dealer because I doubt they would actually be willing or interested (maybe not even able) to give me a diagnosis. If my car said those codes, I would first want to be sure it’s the problem by using a decent scan tool, then I would SAFELY get underneath the car and familiarize myself with all the parts the computer says is broken. If everything mechanical and hydraulic is okay, then I would start by checking all the wires; with the active steering there’s lots to do with the complexity of the hydraulic driven steering modifier. With the help of an assistant, if all the wires were guaranteed to have continuity, then the only problem it could be is a module. The problem is whether or not the wires and modules connected to the steering are actually the problem or if it’s a random computer elsewhere!

You might already know these things. Overall , I’m just saying this: you can comfortably replace hard mechanical parts and wires and modules whenever you want if you have the skill, but if you want to modify SOFTWARE you’re assuming that you are equally as capable and equipped as the original engineers who designed the system…. See what I mean?

 

Thanks for the reply!

Yes, i think i understand. My intention has never been to reprogram or code the car differently. Ive simply aquired ISTA, since its the manufacturer software, to read faults and get problem solving procedures with them.

The reason im asking regarding these codes is i hvae yet to see these fault codes together, and i was wondering if anybidy has ran into the same. I have an issue with the DSC button, where nothing happens regardles of how i push the button. Ive found some sources that say all my error cides and the DSC have a commonality, which is the Active Steering module, hence why i think its that. In the end just cuirious if anybidy else have experience with these codes.

Thanks again for answers!
Johannes

 

Post a pic of your ISTA codes? Did you run test plan to see what ISTA tells you is wrong? Also have you updated your SP-DATEN files after you installed the BMW software tools? If not you'll need it eventually if there is a bad module.

 

please see attached images.

if you’re using this button, it has nothing to do with codes.

another helpful secret is that with a scan tool you can access a German language menu by pressing and holding the odometer reset button.

it seems crazy at first but the manual shows they use both DSC and DTC buttons for the same thing. .