Active Grill Shutter Malfunction

[jlin101]

The CEL in my '16 750 lit up, and OBD reader showed P05B1/P05AE codes which corresponded to Active Grill Shutter malfunction. Sure enough, the grill shutters are stuck in the CLOSED position, even when the radiator fans are running. I know active grill shutter malfunction is common in various models (my '18 X3 included), but most, if not all, refers to the shutters being stuck in the OPEN position. Made an appointment. Hope the engine doesn't overheat.

[13M5F10]

Originally Posted by jlin101

The CEL in my '16 750 lit up, and OBD reader showed P05B1/P05AE codes which corresponded to Active Grill Shutter malfunction. Sure enough, the grill shutters are stuck in the CLOSED position, even when the radiator fans are running. I know active grill shutter malfunction is common in various models (my '18 X3 included), but most, if not all, refers to the shutters being stuck in the OPEN position. Made an appointment. Hope the engine doesn't overheat.

I had that happen to me as well. It was a quick fix. Shouldn't have any issues.

[750LiBeemer]

Originally Posted by 13M5F10

I had that happen to me as well. It was a quick fix. Shouldn't have any issues.

When you say quick fix, I'm assuming your car was under warranty and the dealer fixed it?

My active grill shutters also made the CEL pop up but it disappeared the next day

[jlin101]

Originally Posted by 750LiBeemer

When you say quick fix, I'm assuming your car was under warranty and the dealer fixed it?

My active grill shutters also made the CEL pop up but it disappeared the next day

There is a service bulletin to extend the active grill shutter warranty to 10 yr/120k miles for some MY2017 models

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...60279-9999.pdf

and 15 yr/150k miles for some MY2018 cars

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...70559-9999.pdf

[750LiBeemer]

Originally Posted by jlin101

There is a service bulletin to extend the active grill shutter warranty to 10 yr/120k miles


https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...60279-9999.pdf

Thanks for this info.
Surprised bmw stepped up and provided extended warranty for this fairly new issue. Now where's the extended warranty for the turbo coolant leak?

[pcrispy]

My lower shutter failed in the open position this summer (much better than closed). The dealer said they fail so often that they had replacements in stock. When I dropped it off they said that they wanted to replace the upper while they were at it, since it would eventually fail too, so they gave me a new loaner 7 series and kept it overnight for the upper unit to get delivered and installed the next morning. My car is a CPO and it was all covered under warranty.

[jlin101]

Update: was told by the service dept. that the service bulletin on the air flaps only applied to G12's produced from 6/2016-2/2017, which did not include my car (produced in 8/2015). I am going to contact BMW NA to see if they would kindly extend the coverage (my car has less than 15k miles) since the bulletin stated "The “Model” information is for informational purposes only, it is not the only deciding factor."

[Lawguy]

Does the car give some sort of warning message about the issue when it occurs?

[pcrispy]

Originally Posted by Lawguy

Does the car give some sort of warning message about the issue when it occurs?

Yes, mine had an error notification, but I had to use my OBD port Bluetooth adaptor to check and see what it actually was.

[mrgicm]

They will update your Software l, om 2019+ Istep version, shitter faults do not give a cel.

[750LiBeemer]

Originally Posted by jlin101

Update: was told by the service dept. that the service bulletin on the air flaps only applied to G12's produced from 6/2016-2/2017, which did not include my car (produced in 8/2015). I am going to contact BMW NA to see if they would kindly extend the coverage (my car has less than 15k miles) since the bulletin stated "The "Model" information is for informational purposes only, it is not the only deciding factor."

Bmw for some reason does this often, covering an issue affecting many model years but only choosing to provide warranty for select years. I guess the excuse is that those parts are vin specific and only certain faulty parts need replacement under warranty, and other model years do not. To me this sounds like BS but what can you do but attempt to fight them on it.

So let us know how it goes

[jlin101]

Originally Posted by mrgicm

They will update your Software l, om 2019+ Istep version, shitter faults do not give a cel.

without CEL, how would one know that the shutters broke?

[jlin101]

Originally Posted by 750LiBeemer

Bmw for some reason does this often, covering an issue affecting many model years but only choosing to provide warranty for select years. I guess the excuse is that those parts are vin specific and only certain faulty parts need replacement under warranty, and other model years do not. To me this sounds like BS but what can you do but attempt to fight them on it.

So let us know how it goes

BMW NA said no go.

[TexasBruiser]

JLIN -

I've got exactly the same scenario - except mine in SEP 2016 and an iDrive. It was repaired under my third party warranty a few months ago. BMW has a two year parts and labor, so I am going back to the dealer for a re-repair and hopefully no hassle (but I expect one between them and the useless BMWUSA / BMWNA). I'm sure you know that the BMW dealers not only don't share info even if there is one owners of two or more dealerships, but they do not share even basic info such as TSARA case info for the dreaded "back-office OTA provisioning" head unit / map updates.

If you do have anything further, please PM me the details or a file. THANKS!

[TexasBruiser]

Did you ever find a permanent solution to the active grill fault errors? I've replaced both actuators with new OEM. CEL light still on. Someone suggested disconnecting and shorting both sets of batter cables to erase the ECM/BCM memories (does not affect the permanent vehicle coding which is in ROM). The inspection station for my annual check won't even talk to me when an idiot light is on.

[jlin101]

Originally Posted by TexasBruiser

Did you ever find a permanent solution to the active grill fault errors? I've replaced both actuators with new OEM. CEL light still on. Someone suggested disconnecting and shorting both sets of batter cables to erase the ECM/BCM memories (does not affect the permanent vehicle coding which is in ROM). The inspection station for my annual check won't even talk to me when an idiot light is on.

the system was repaired at BMW dealership but NOT covered by warranty

[M_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by TexasBruiser

Did you ever find a permanent solution to the active grill fault errors? I've replaced both actuators with new OEM. CEL light still on. Someone suggested disconnecting and shorting both sets of batter cables to erase the ECM/BCM memories (does not affect the permanent vehicle coding which is in ROM). The inspection station for my annual check won't even talk to me when an idiot light is on.

If this is setting a CEL, can't this be addressed under the "emissions" warranty?

Maybe worth perusing your "Service and Warranty" booklet...it varies state-to-state.