TL;DR
- What: The complete list of OBD1 fault codes for the E36’s Bosch DME, from the Bentley manual, with what to check first for each.
- Which cars: 1992–1995 E36s use OBD1. From 1996 the cars use OBD2, which needs an OBD2 scan tool and uses completely different codes.
- Reading them: on US-spec cars, pressing the accelerator pedal fully five times within five seconds (ignition on) makes the Check Engine light blink the codes out. This feature was a US emissions requirement: many European-spec E36s have no Check Engine light, so the blink method may show nothing. There, read the codes with a BMW-capable diagnostic tool on the 20-pin connector.
Reading the codes with the accelerator pedal (US-spec cars)
This procedure is from the US-market Bentley manual. It needs a working Check Engine light in the instrument cluster, which many European-spec cars don’t have. Without one, use a diagnostic tool instead (see the OBD1 diagnostic setup guide). The code meanings below apply either way.
- Turn the ignition on (engine off).
- Press the accelerator pedal fully to the floor five times within five seconds.
- The Check Engine light stays on for 5 seconds, goes off, then comes on for 2.5 seconds and off again for 2.5 seconds. Then the codes start.
- Each code is four digits, flashed as groups of blinks. Code 1221 is one blink, a pause, two blinks, a pause, two blinks, a pause, one blink. Codes are separated by a 2.5-second pause.
- After the last code there is a 0.5-second flash and the light stays off.
To read them again, switch the ignition off and on, and repeat the five pedal presses.
Erasing the memory
- Read the codes until you get 1000 (a short blink, then the light stays off for a long time), meaning the end of the output.
- Then hold the accelerator pedal fully down for at least 10 seconds.
- Read the codes again and check for 1444: no faults stored.
Fix the cause before erasing: a code that comes back proves the fault is still there.
OBD1 fault codes (Bentley Table d)
“M3.3.1 only” codes exist only on the VANOS M50 (1993–1995). The 1992 non-VANOS M50 uses DME M3.1. See the DME pinout reference to tell them apart and to trace the wiring.
| Code | Meaning | What to check first |
|---|---|---|
| 1211 | DME control module | The module failed its self-test. Check the module’s inputs (power, grounds) before suspecting the module itself. |
| 1215 | Mass air flow sensor | The air flow sensor and its wiring to the DME |
| 1216 | Throttle potentiometer | Throttle position sensor resistance and wiring |
| 1218 | Output stage, group 1 (M3.3.1 only) | DME inputs and outputs |
| 1219 | Output stage, group 2 (M3.3.1 only) | DME inputs and outputs |
| 1221 | Oxygen sensor 1 | The sensor’s output signal to the DME |
| 1222 | Oxygen sensor lean/rich control limit | Intake air leaks, or causes of a rich mixture |
| 1223 | Coolant temperature sensor | Test the coolant temperature sensor |
| 1224 | Intake air temperature sensor | Test the intake air temperature sensor |
| 1225 | Knock sensor 1 (M3.3.1 only) | Knock sensor and its wiring |
| 1226 | Knock sensor 2 (M3.3.1 only) | Knock sensor and its wiring |
| 1231 | Battery voltage monitor | Battery voltage, charging system and starter |
| 1234 | Speed signal (M3.3.1 only) | Wiring between the instrument cluster and the DME |
| 1237 | A/C compressor cut-off (M3.3.1 only) | DME inputs and outputs to the A/C system |
| 1242 | A/C compressor signal (M3.3.1 only) | DME inputs and outputs to the A/C system |
| 1243 | Crankshaft position sensor (M3.3.1 only) | Crankshaft position / rpm sensor and its wiring to the DME |
| 1244 | Camshaft position sensor (M3.3.1 only) | Camshaft position sensor and its wiring to the DME |
| 1245 | Transmission control intervention (M3.3.1 only) | Wiring between the DME and the automatic transmission module |
| 1247 | Ignition secondary monitor (M3.3.1 only) | Secondary voltage to the ignition coils and the coil wiring |
| 1251 | Injector 1 (M3.1 and M3.3.1) | Injector operation and the signal reaching it |
| 1252 | Injector 2 | As above |
| 1253 | Injector 3 | As above |
| 1254 | Injector 4 | As above |
| 1255 | Injector 5 | As above |
| 1256 | Injector 6 | As above |
| 1261 | Fuel pump control | Fuel pump relay and the pump circuit |
| 1262 | Idle speed control | Idle control valve and its signal |
| 1263 | Evaporative (EVAP) system | The EVAP purge valve |
| 1264 | Oxygen sensor heater | Oxygen sensor heater and its relay |
| 1265 | Check Engine lamp (M3.3.1 only) | The bulb and its wiring |
| 1266 | VANOS (M3.3.1 only) | The VANOS solenoid and the signal to it. See the M50TU VANOS guide |
| 1267 | Air pump relay control (M3.3.1 only) | Air pump relay and wiring, where fitted |
| 1271 | Ignition coil 1 (M3.3.1 only) | The coil and its wiring |
| 1272 | Ignition coil 2 (M3.3.1 only) | As above |
| 1273 | Ignition coil 3 (M3.3.1 only) | As above |
| 1274 | Ignition coil 4 (M3.3.1 only) | As above |
| 1275 | Ignition coil 5 (M3.3.1 only) | As above |
| 1276 | Ignition coil 6 (M3.3.1 only) | As above |
| 1281 | DME memory supply (M3.3.1 only) | The constant battery supply to the DME |
| 1282 | Fault code memory (M3.3.1 only) | DME inputs and outputs; the module may be faulty |
| 1283 | Injector output stage (M3.3.1 only) | DME inputs and outputs; the module may be faulty |
| 1286 | Knock control test pulse (M3.3.1 only) | DME inputs and outputs; the module may be faulty |
| 1000 | End of code output | Nothing to fix: all stored codes have been shown |
| 1444 | No faults stored | Nothing to fix; this code must be present before the memory can be erased |
Before chasing a code
Bentley’s basic checks for any driveability fault, worth doing before replacing parts:
- Intake leaks: cracked, loose or disconnected hoses and ducts, and loose clamps. Unmetered air causes lean running and sets the Check Engine light. A classic one is a split in the intake boot between the air flow sensor and the throttle body; a smoke test finds it quickly.
- Battery and grounds: battery in good condition, cables tight and clean at both ends, ground points tight and corrosion-free, harness connectors undamaged. See the ground distribution guide.
- Power and ground at the DME, including its main grounds.
- Fuses, and enough fuel in the tank. After running out of fuel, pressure takes a moment to build again.
- Spark: if the tachometer needle bounces while cranking, the ignition is probably working.
Idle speed, idle mixture and ignition timing are not adjustable on these engines. The DME adapts automatically within limits; when those limits are exceeded, it turns on the Check Engine light.
Tools
On US-spec cars the pedal method shows the stored codes. On cars without a Check Engine light, and for live data (sensor values while the engine runs), you need a BMW-capable diagnostic tool connected to the round 20-pin diagnostic connector under the bonnet. See the OBD1 diagnostic setup guide.
Standard OBD2 code readers don’t work on OBD1 cars.
