BMW F30 330e high-voltage battery and electric drive faults
F30 330e: what does fault code S 0398 mean?
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 registered with BMW's diagnostic software, after which the code no longer returns.
F30 330e: why has the electric range dropped, or could it be a battery module fault?
The cause can be a broken battery cell. Symptoms include Max eDrive cutting in and out, recurring faults and the combustion engine starting more readily than usual. At worst the car tells you to stop driving mid-journey. Do not touch the high-voltage battery yourself.
How is the 330e high-voltage battery condition checked, and does the warranty cover the fault?
A BMW dealer performs a battery analysis in which the battery is charged from empty to full with the diagnostic tool connected. The job takes about 3-4 hours. Cell faults have been repaired under warranty. Replacing cell modules requires a brand-specific diagnostic tool and coding.
How do you calculate the real electric range of a 330e?
Drive the battery from full to empty and read the consumption in kWh/100 km from the trip meter. Divide the usable capacity (about 5.7 kWh in a new battery) by the consumption to get an estimate of the range.