BMW fault code C5A1

User interface

In the user interface, code C5A1 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: main board: hardware fault

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: Main board: hardware fault

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

Reading and clearing it

Fault code C5A1 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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