Roof code A6A4

[Big Bad Boris]

Had oil change, plugs and brake fluid done at BMW yesterday. Today I have changed air and cabin filter myself to save a good few quid, once done I hooked up my Autophix to clear the service light. Whilst doing that 3 other codes showed up, two seem to relate to the air con sensor (AUC) which I’ll investigate and sort later.

The 3rd was A6A4 which is stored open the convertible top module “CVM”, which of course immediately panics any E89 owner. I have searched the forum etc and seen one or two references to this code, although it seems that is rarely occurs on its own i.e. without other codes showing too. Also I have seen references to the fact that the code can be due to expansion when the car sits in the sun, the car is black and the sun has been out today?

It appears to relate to part number 54 34 8 268 997.. one of the many roof sensors.

I haven’t had any issues with the roof to date no bings or bongs or dash warnings of any colour., although I haven’t had it down for about a week.

Should I clear the code and see if it comes back, or is this an early warning that I should be changing the referenced sensor ASAP b4 something bad happens. If it’s the latter does anyone know where lives and how difficult it is to swap out. I know some are relatively straightforward to deal with..others not so (a bit like our membership )

[enuff_zed]

So you didn't know you had the code?
Could have been there for ages but obviously is not affecting anything that you can notice.
Clear it and never look again!
If it wants you it will let you know.

[Silverstar]

I would clear the codes and drive the car a few days and then see if they come back. If the car is driving ok and no errors showing I really wouldn't worry about it.

Sometimes these codes throw when doing some work on the car, e.g. when I was doing the audio install in mine a whole bunch of errors popped out from interior lights to airbags to god knows what. All of them really for nothing, cleared them all and none have come back since.

[Big Bad Boris]

Thanks chaps, EZ you are correct, I had no idea the code was there until I hooked up the reader today.

I think your idea is probably the way to go, I will clear the code and see if it comes back. I’ll do the same with the 2 AUC codes that also appeared today and see what happens. I’ll will check occasionally with the reader and and see how we go.

[BeardyJon]

Codes are a funny thing. I've never found a definitive guide to what they are/what they mean. Even with Carly, they show up but there's no clear explanation of what's going on with most of them. The other thing is once I ran the scan and 18 codes showed up. Cleared them, and they never came back again, despite changing nothing. So it doesn't feel super trustworthy.

[Zed Baron]

If its been at BMW, part of any service is the 'scope' (you get charged £20 for it) in BMW's own words 'Your BMW Technician will interrogate your BMW’s computer for error messages and reset completed service indicators.' so how comes they didn't tell you about the stored codes?

[enuff_zed]

Don't forget that any slight glitch in a system is likely to latch a code, even if it is a transient issue.
It is only the codes that keep coming back that you need to worry about.

When I was working on the Tornado, they had a Central Maintenance Panel under the RH Intake. First job when it landed, before the pilot shut down, was to check that panel. Usually there would be several red lights illuminated. We'd note them for reference then do a reset. Only the odd one or two that remained on were actual problems.
Same with your car, but not so easy to see in the first place. The codes you find could have been accumulating for months until you eventually check and think you have a catalogue of problems.

[BeardyJon]

If its been at BMW, part of any service is the 'scope' (you get charged £20 for it) in BMW's own words 'Your BMW Technician will interrogate your BMW’s computer for error messages and reset completed service indicators.' so how comes they didn't tell you about the stored codes?

The local stealers here charge £190 for diagnosis... so £20 seems like a bargain.

[enuff_zed]

If its been at BMW, part of any service is the 'scope' (you get charged £20 for it) in BMW's own words 'Your BMW Technician will interrogate your BMW’s computer for error messages and reset completed service indicators.' so how comes they didn't tell you about the stored codes?

The local stealers here charge £190 for diagnosis... so £20 seems like a bargain.

Yeah, but the £190 is if you ask them to check everything because you think you have an issue.
The £20 is you paying for the privilege of them looking without being asked, so they can then get more money from you if they find a fault you knew nothing about.

[SV8Predator]

so they can then get more money from you if they find a fault you knew nothing about.

But isn't that one of the reasons that you send your car to a main dealer? Surely it's a good thing that they find a fault that you were unaware of, before it gets any worse. If that's only £20, then it's a bargain.

[BeardyJon]

so they can then get more money from you if they find a fault you knew nothing about.

But isn't that one of the reasons that you send your car to a main dealer? Surely it's a good thing that they find a fault that you were unaware of, before it gets any worse. If that's only £20, then it's a bargain.

I found a stealer!

[304frp]

Hi Boris, Which autophix model do you have ?

[Big Bad Boris]

Hi Boris, Which autophix model do you have ?

Hi 304frp x It is the 5900

[Big Bad Boris]

So an update. As others have mentioned I have no idea why the codes I found were not picked up by BMW, I guess if we are being generous we could say they checked, it was clear…did the service work which may have triggered the codes… and maybe they don’t check for a second time? Conversely we could say they wouldn’t be the first dealer not to do things properly.

So as Mr Enuff Zed suggested I cleared all the codes. I have since been to Chelmsford and back with the roof down ..and back up with no issues. I have just checked the codes and the roof one has not reappeared at this point..although the AUC related ones have, hopefully it was just a blip, never to return

[304frp]

Glad it’s all worked out , I recently replaced both switches in the rear boot lid, and salmon relays, as mine had issues !!.
Don’t fear the codes, as with others on here, fingers crossed not difficult to replace.