BMW fault code 0071
Electronic immobilizer
In the electronic immobilizer, code 0071 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: 8 Key 8 not detected (incorrect password)
Module version: Electronic immobilizer 2 (EWS)
In: 3 Series (E36) 1990–2000, 5 Series (E39) 1995–2003, 7 Series (E38) 1995–2001
Key no. 7 invalid due to faulty password
Module version: Electronic immobilizer 3 (EWS3)
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: Key no. 8, incorrect password
Module version: Electronic immobilizer 3D (EWS3D)
In: 3 Series (E36) 1990–2000
Reading and clearing it
Fault code 0071 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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