BMW fault code 0090

Electronic immobilizer

In the electronic immobilizer, code 0090 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: 10 Key 10 not detected (incorrect key identification)

Module version: Electronic immobilizer 2 (EWS)

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

Key no. 9 invalid due to faulty identification

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. 10, faulty identification

Module version: Electronic immobilizer 3D (EWS3D)

In: 3 Series (E36) 1990–2000

Reading and clearing it

Fault code 0090 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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