20a201 charge air cooling system coolant pump protective function active due to dry

andysheldon · 07-24-2023, 03:53 PM

Hi there, I am scanning my car as I am getting drive train issues when driving hard and the car is warm.

One error is: 20a201 charge air cooling system coolant pump protective function active due to dry running.

I have a 2019 F90 M5 and I have checked the charge cooling system. It had no fluid on the first check - I have topped this up and the cooling system appears to be holding. I drained some of the water and put in some more BMW HT-12 as recommended by the dealership.

I do however still have this code showing. Does this mean that there is a defective part on the car? Which part is failing? How can I reset the code to see if now that I have coolant in there that it runs fine?

Thanks in advance all for the help!

Andy

Maverik259 · 07-25-2023, 09:58 AM

Numerous ways to erase codes. Google search will give you more options than you can hope for. In short. BimmerLink app is one of the easiest. You’ll need a OBD -> phone adapter from Amazon. Recommend hard wire over Bluetooth/Wi-Fi.

andysheldon · 07-25-2023, 10:08 AM

Hi there, I have tried and the code remains. This is indicating to me that there is an ongoing problem despite the coolant levels being at max.

pbonsalb · 07-25-2023, 11:34 AM

An air pocket can prevent pump operation. Factory procedure is to use vacuum fill, but that is for refilling the system rather than minor tipping off. I had my system partially drained when changing intercoolers, did not do a vacuum refill, and had no problems. But the level was still well above pump level.

If it is not an air pocket, I would question whether the pump is running. Not sure you could reach it to listen with a stethoscope from above. Might have to pull the forward shield and feel or use a stethoscope from below.

If you can identify a fuse for the pump, that is also worth checking.

07-24-2023, 03:53 PM	#1
andysheldon New Member 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: BMW F90 M5 Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	20a201 charge air cooling system coolant pump protective function active due to dry Hi there, I am scanning my car as I am getting drive train issues when driving hard and the car is warm. One error is: 20a201 charge air cooling system coolant pump protective function active due to dry running. I have a 2019 F90 M5 and I have checked the charge cooling system. It had no fluid on the first check - I have topped this up and the cooling system appears to be holding. I drained some of the water and put in some more BMW HT-12 as recommended by the dealership. I do however still have this code showing. Does this mean that there is a defective part on the car? Which part is failing? How can I reset the code to see if now that I have coolant in there that it runs fine? Thanks in advance all for the help! Andy
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07-25-2023, 09:58 AM	#2
Maverik259 Major General 4140 Rep 7,160 Posts Drives: F90 M5 / F15 50i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M5 [10.00] 2014 X5 50i [0.00]	Numerous ways to erase codes. Google search will give you more options than you can hope for. In short. BimmerLink app is one of the easiest. You’ll need a OBD -> phone adapter from Amazon. Recommend hard wire over Bluetooth/Wi-Fi. __________________ '07 Yamaha R1 (sold) '06 C55 AMG (sold) ‘?20 M5, MP Carbon Pro Spoiler, MP Carbon Diffuser, MP Black grille and gills, MP Carbon Mirrors, CF side sills, 789M w/ Ti studs, eventuri, Dinan X pipe '14 X5 50i (wife’s now)
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07-25-2023, 10:08 AM	#3
andysheldon New Member 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: BMW F90 M5 Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Hi there, I have tried and the code remains. This is indicating to me that there is an ongoing problem despite the coolant levels being at max.
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07-25-2023, 11:34 AM	#4
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5234 Rep 10,616 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	An air pocket can prevent pump operation. Factory procedure is to use vacuum fill, but that is for refilling the system rather than minor tipping off. I had my system partially drained when changing intercoolers, did not do a vacuum refill, and had no problems. But the level was still well above pump level. If it is not an air pocket, I would question whether the pump is running. Not sure you could reach it to listen with a stethoscope from above. Might have to pull the forward shield and feel or use a stethoscope from below. If you can identify a fuse for the pump, that is also worth checking.
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