Self-diagnosis system (BMW 5 Series E39)

Graphic indication

When the ignition key is in position 2, the following warnings (conditions) are displayed on the indicator and do not go out until the causes that caused them to appear are eliminated.

1. Check the low beam.

2. Add windshield washer fluid, goes out after about one minute.

3. The door is open.

4. The trunk is open.

5. Check the reversing lights or brake lights.

If at the end of the trip you get out of the car and forget to turn off the lights, a warning signal sounds (no indication appears), reminding of this.

Alphanumeric indication

When the ignition key is in position 2, the following warnings (conditions) are displayed in text form, accompanied by a gong sound.

1. Symbols indicating the presence of diagnostic information.



2. Indication.

3. Automatic diagnostics button (CHECK).

According to the degree of priority, messages about system malfunctions are divided into two groups.

First priority group

Information about these faults is accompanied by a gong and flashing signal symbols (1). If several faults occur simultaneously, they are displayed one after another. The messages do not disappear until the faults are eliminated and cannot be erased by pressing the automatic diagnostics button (3).

"Parkbremse losen" (Release the parking brake).

"Kuhlwassertemperatur" (Coolant temperature). The engine is overheated. You should stop immediately and turn off the engine.

"Stop! Oldruck Motor" (Stop! Engine oil pressure). Oil pressure is below normal. Stop immediately and turn off the engine.

"Bremsflussigk prufen" (Check the brake fluid level). The brake fluid level has dropped almost to the minimum. It should be topped up at the first opportunity.

"Niveauregel. inaktiv" (The ride height regulator does not work).

"Einspritzanlage" (Injection system).

"LIMIT" (Speeding). The indication appears when the speed limit prescribed by the traffic regulations of the relevant country is exceeded.

Second priority group

This indication appears for approximately 20 seconds with the ignition key in position 2. After the inscription goes out, the signal symbols remain. To recall the messages, press the CHECK button.

"Kolferraum often" (The trunk is open). The message appears only when you first start moving with the trunk open

"Tur often" (The door is open). The message appears as soon as the speed of movement exceeds a certain insignificant value.



"Gurt anlegen" (Put on the belt). Additionally, a warning light with a seat belt symbol lights up.

"Vorgluhen" (Pre-heat). The engine can only be started after the message goes out.

"Waschwasser fullen" (Top up the windshield washer fluid). Fluid level is too low, top up as soon as possible.

"Olstand Motor prufen" (Check the engine oil level). At the first opportunity (for example, when refueling) the level should be brought up to normal.

"Bremslicht prufen" (Check the brake lights). The lamp has burned out or there is a fault in the electrical circuit.

"Abbtendbcht prufen" (Check the low beam).

"Standlicht prufen" (Check the parking lights).

"Rucklicht prufen" (Check the rear lights).

"Nebellicht vorn prufen" (Check the fog lights).

"Nebellicht hinten prufen" (Check the rear fog lights).

"Kennzeichenlicht prufen" (Check the license plate light).

"Anhangerlicht prufen" (Check the lighting fixtures on the trailer).

"Femlicht prufen" (Check the high beam).

"Ruckfahrlicht prufen" (Check the reversing lights). The lamp has burned out or there is a fault in the electrical circuit.

"Getriebenotprogramm" (Gearbox control emergency program).

"Bremsbelag prufen" (Check the brake pads).

"Funkschlussel-Batt." (Remote control battery). Replace the batteries. After replacement, initialize the remote control transmitter (this is not necessary, however, if the replacement took no more than a minute and no buttons were pressed).

"Kuhlwasserst. prufen" (Check the coolant level). The fluid level has dropped below normal. Top up at the earliest opportunity.



"Motornotprogramm" (Engine operation control according to emergency program). Malfunction in the engine control system.

"Einspiitzanlage" (Injection system).

End of trip messages

All fault messages that appeared during the trip are displayed one after another on the display after turning the ignition key to position 0.

The following message may also appear:

"Licht an" (The light is not turned off). The indicator appears when you open the driver's door at the end of the trip. Using the CHECK button, you can call up messages for about three minutes after the end of the trip, when the key is already removed from the ignition switch and the indicator has gone out. If there are several messages, press the CHECK button several times.

Checking the operability of the self-diagnostic system

After turning the ignition key to position 2, press the CHECK button.

A confirmation message should appear on the display: "CHECK CONTROL OK" (The automatic diagnostic system is working properly).

This means that no violations were detected in the controlled systems.