BMW fault code A838
Gear selector switch
In the gear selector switch, code A838 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: Play protection blocking 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: Childproof lock 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: Control module internal temperature too high
Module version: Gear selector switch (GWS_70)
In: X5 (E70) 2006–2013, X6 (E71) 2008–2014, X6 (E72) 2009–2011
LED control implausible
Module version: Gear selector switch (GWS_90)
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, Z4 (E89) 2009–2016
Reading and clearing it
Fault code A838 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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