BMW 3 Series F30 and F31 (2012–2019), plus the F34 GT and the 4 Series F32, F33 and F36 — common faults, maintenance guides and repair tips.
The code indicates that the 12 V battery is deteriorating, i.e. the battery is worn or faulty. After the battery is replaced, the new battery is regis...
A cold battery accepts charge poorly, so a short drive does not restore the energy used for starting. Seat and steering wheel heating use even more. T...
When cold, shifting can be rough in the lower gears, and it smooths out as the gearbox warms up. In an xDrive car the winter mode keeps the revs highe...
The cause is often a worn V-bushing, whose play lets the tie rod bounce. The steering gear's sliding piece can also stick, in which case it does not p...
The likely cause is software stuck in the iDrive unit. A workshop reloads the software to the car. A USB stick can only update the media side, so it i...
A possible cause is the flange at the transfer case's rear output, whose splines have worn smooth. Then power is not transmitted to the front either, ...
The cause can be that the drum diameter of the new discs is too large. When the discs were replaced with the correct type, the handbrake worked normal...
When the noise depends only on speed, the cause is often in the driveline or bearings. Play in the rear propshaft is a known cause of rumble at 110-13...
A fault code may point to the blower motor even though the motor itself is fine. Disconnecting and reconnecting the blower connector got the blower wo...
The N20's timing chain and oil pump chain can stretch and the sprocket teeth can wear. It is heard as a whine or rattle when cold. After replacing the...
Yes, the N47's timing end parts (chain, sprockets, guides) are known as a weak point. Replacing the timing end has been common especially in engines b...
The most common cause is worn rubber bushings in the suspension, even if the wheel alignment is fine. Worn control arms and wheel bearings also add pl...
A common cause is a corroded ground wire on the power steering unit: at idle the current is enough, but under load it is not. The cable's ring termina...
Usually the cause is a stuck or detached handle cable or lock mechanism. The repair requires removing the door panel to see the condition of the lock ...
The F30/F31 rear bearing is a press-fit in the housing and locked with a circlip, not bolted on like on the F10. The driveshaft is removed and the bea...
The cause can be the battery, even if it looks fine in a test. Replacing the battery has cleared the faults in the indicators, power windows and light...
The lean mixture code and a high long-term fuel trim almost always point to a vacuum leak. On the N20 engine the cause was a torn rubber hose (crankca...
A misfire means a cylinder is not firing properly. Fit new spark plugs in the cylinders that report the fault. If the jerking continues, replacing the...
The tailgate can be opened mechanically with the pull cord next to the lock, inside the tailgate behind the trim. The cord breaks easily if pulled fro...
The manufacturer describes the oil as lifetime fill, but ZF recommends changing it about every 80–120 tkm (thousand km). In practice the change should...
The fault codes may be 8041B6 and D90D2F. Replacing the control board does not necessarily help. The cause may be in the wiring harness, where a wire ...
The driver's side channel is under the brake booster and the passenger's side channel under the fuse box. Leaves and mud clog them, which lets water c...
The message comes from a fault in the engine or transmission, and the car limits power to protect itself. Read the fault codes first and fix the cause...