BMW fault code 00A1

Telematic Control Unit (I bus)

In the telematic control unit (i bus), code 00A1 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.

Prefit SIM read error

Module version: Telematic Control Unit (I bus) (TELIBUS)

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

TCU: Telematics fault (read error)

Module version: Telematic Control Unit (I bus) (TELIBUS2)

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

TCU: Telematics fault (cannot be read)

Module version: Telematic Control Unit (I bus) (TELIBUS3)

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

Reading and clearing it

Fault code 00A1 is a BMW code, stored in the car's telematic control unit (i bus), 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 telematic control unit (i bus) is on: 7 Series (E38), 5 Series (E39), 3 Series (E46), Z8 (E52), X5 (E53), X3 (E83), Z4 (E85), Z4 (E86)

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