BMW fault code 38A4

Engine electronics

BSD, message; intelligent battery sensor (IBS): Missing (extended communication intelligent battery sensor malfunction)

Module versions: Engine electronics (MEVD174K), Engine electronics (MEVD176K), Engine electronics (MEVD17KW), Engine electronics (MVD1722)

Which BMWs have these versions depends on the engine and equipment, so we don't list them here; AutoLingo for BMW reads which version your car has.

Reading and clearing it

Fault code 38A4 is a BMW code, stored in the car's engine electronics, 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 engine electronics is on: 3 Series (E46), Z8 (E52), X5 (E53), 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), X3 (E83), X1 (E84), Z4 (E85), Z4 (E86), 1 Series (E87), 1 Series (E88), Z4 (E89), 3 Series (E90), 3 Series (E91), 3 Series (E92), 3 Series (E93)

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