BMW fault code A831

Gear selector switch

In the gear selector switch, code A831 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.

GWS: Energy-saving mode active

Module version: Gear selector switch (GWS_60)

In: 1 Series (E82) 2007–2013, 1 Series (E88) 2008–2013, 3 Series (E90) 2005–2012, 3 Series (E92) 2006–2013, 3 Series (E93) 2007–2013, 5 Series (E60) 2003–2010, 5 Series (E61) 2004–2010, 6 Series (E63) 2003–2010, 6 Series (E64) 2004–2010, Z4 (E89) 2009–2016

GWS: Transport mode active

Module version: Gear selector switch (GWS_60_2)

In: 1 Series (E82) 2007–2013, 1 Series (E88) 2008–2013, 3 Series (E90) 2005–2012, 3 Series (E92) 2006–2013, 3 Series (E93) 2007–2013, 5 Series (E60) 2003–2010, 5 Series (E61) 2004–2010, 6 Series (E63) 2003–2010, 6 Series (E64) 2004–2010, Z4 (E89) 2009–2016

GWS: Sport button faulty

Module version: Gear selector switch (GWS_70)

In: X5 (E70) 2006–2013, X6 (E71) 2008–2014, X6 (E72) 2009–2011

Reading and clearing it

Fault code A831 is a BMW code, stored in the car's gear selector switch, 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 gear selector switch is on: 5 Series (E60), 5 Series (E61), 6 Series (E63), 6 Series (E64), X5 (E70), X6 (E71), X6 (E72), 1 Series (E82), X1 (E84), 1 Series (E88), Z4 (E89), 3 Series (E90), 3 Series (E91), 3 Series (E92), 3 Series (E93)

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