BMW fault code 0038
Transmission control
In the transmission control, code 0038 means different things depending on the version of the module in the car. Find your car below; the app shows the right one for yours.
EGS: Symptom GLUE
Module versions: Transmission management (GS8600), Transmission management (GS8602), Transmission management (GS8603), Transmission management (GS8604)
In: 3 Series (E46) 1998–2006, 5 Series (E39) 1998–2003, 7 Series (E38) 1998–2001, X3 (E83) 2003–2010, X5 (E53) 1999–2006, Z4 (E85) 2002–2008, Z4 (E86) 2006–2008, Z8 (E52) 2000–2003
hydraulic pressure
Module version: Transmission control (SMG)
In: 3 Series (E46) 1998–2006, 5 Series (E39) 1995–2003, 7 Series (E38) 1994–2001, X5 (E53) 1999–2006, Z8 (E52) 2000–2003
SMG: ON period, hydraulic unit (OBDII: P1717)
Module version: Transmission control (SMG2)
In: 3 Series (E36) 1990–2000, 3 Series (E46) 1998–2006, X5 (E53) 1999–2006, Z8 (E52) 2000–2003
Reading and clearing it
Fault code 0038 is a BMW code, stored in the car's transmission control, not a generic OBD2 code (P0xxx): a generic OBD2 reader only reaches the engine's emissions faults, so it won't show it. AutoLingo for BMW reads it with BMW's own diagnostic protocols, in plain English, with the details the module stored about it, and clears it after a repair. If a fault comes right back after it's cleared, the problem is still there.
The transmission control is on: 8 Series (E31), 7 Series (E32), 5 Series (E34), 3 Series (E36), Z3 (E36/7), 7 Series (E38), 5 Series (E39), 3 Series (E46), Z8 (E52), X5 (E53), X3 (E83), Z4 (E85), Z4 (E86)
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