BMW fault code 0052

Electronic immobilizer

In the electronic immobilizer, code 0052 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.

EWS: Key no. 6, incorrect random code

Module versions: Electronic immobilizer 3 (EWS3), Electronic immobilizer 3D (EWS3D)

In: 3 Series (E36) 1990–2000, 3 Series (E46) 1998–2006, 5 Series (E39) 1995–2003, 7 Series (E38) 1995–2001, X3 (E83) 2003–2010, X5 (E53) 1999–2006, Z4 (E85) 2002–2008, Z4 (E86) 2006–2008, Z8 (E52) 2000–2003

EWS: 6 Key 6 not detected (incorrect exchange code)

Module version: Electronic immobilizer 2 (EWS)

In: 3 Series (E36) 1990–2000, 5 Series (E39) 1995–2003, 7 Series (E38) 1995–2001

Reading and clearing it

Fault code 0052 is a BMW code, stored in the car's electronic immobilizer, 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 electronic immobilizer is on: 8 Series (E31), 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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