BMW fault code C542
User interface
In the user interface, code C542 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.
CIC: speaker output leads, front left: short circuit to ground
Module versions: Car Information Computer (CICMR), Car Information Computer (CICR)
In: 1 Series (E87) 2004–2011, 1 Series (E82) 2007–2013, 1 Series (E81) 2007–2011, 1 Series (E88) 2008–2013, 3 Series (E90) 2005–2012, 3 Series (E91) 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, X1 (E84) 2009–2015, X5 (E70) 2006–2013, X6 (E71) 2008–2014, X6 (E72) 2009–2011, Z4 (E89) 2009–2016
CHAMP: Speaker output leads, front left: short circuit to ground
Module version: Central headunit and Multimedia Platform (CHAMP2R)
In: 1 Series (E87) 2004–2011, 1 Series (E81) 2007–2011, 1 Series (E82) 2007–2013, 1 Series (E88) 2008–2013, 3 Series (E91) 2005–2012, 3 Series (E90) 2005–2012, 3 Series (E92) 2006–2013, 3 Series (E93) 2007–2013, X1 (E84) 2009–2015, X5 (E70) 2006–2013, X6 (E71) 2008–2014, X6 (E72) 2009–2011, Z4 (E89) 2009–2016
Speaker output lines, front left Short circuit to ground
Module version: Radio (RAD12R)
In: 1 Series (E87) 2004–2011, 1 Series (E82) 2007–2013, 1 Series (E81) 2007–2011, 1 Series (E88) 2008–2013, 3 Series (E90) 2005–2012, 3 Series (E91) 2005–2012, 3 Series (E92) 2006–2013, 3 Series (E93) 2007–2013, X1 (E84) 2009–2015, Z4 (E89) 2009–2016
Reading and clearing it
Fault code C542 is a BMW code, stored in the car's user interface, 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 user interface is on: 5 Series (E60), 5 Series (E61), 6 Series (E63), 6 Series (E64), 7 Series (E65), 7 Series (E66), 7 Series (E67), X5 (E70), X6 (E71), X6 (E72), 1 Series (E81), 1 Series (E82), X1 (E84), 1 Series (E87), 1 Series (E88), Z4 (E89), 3 Series (E90), 3 Series (E91), 3 Series (E92), 3 Series (E93)
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