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[K9Leader]

After finishing up the shocks/springs/struts job on Little Red (2011 128i) and buttoning it all back up, I got a TPMS inactive warning and these codes:

• Fault code: 00604E Error RDC system / Error tire pressure control system
• Fault code: 00604F Error transmission channel VL
• Fault code: 006050 Error transmission channel VR

Okay, maybe something wrong with the connections to the RDC transmitters so today I pulled the wheels and fender liners off and . . . oops! I left the right side disconnected. Left side was plugged in but I checked it and reseated it to make sure it was properly connected. Then I ran Carly diagnostics again, cleared the codes but the warning and right side code (006050 Error transmission channel VR) popped back up immediately.

I will pull the right wheel again and check/clean the connector and see if that makes a difference. But, any thoughts/advice/tips would be appreciated.

[Papa Popov]

Don't recall having to disconnect TPMS when I did my suspension, but my car is an '09 so the system is a bit different than later models.

I can say that in my experience the whole TPMS system is very fragile, RDC especially. I got intermittent errors for TPMS inactive til a giant snowstorm rolled through. After that it was constant errors every time I started the car. Turned out water had gotten into my trunk and fried the RDC. Swapped in a used RDC module, reset the system, and had no issues after that.

I doubt that's your culprit, but it might be worth checking. Its located on the passenger side of the trunk under the carpet (where the battery would be on an E9X). When you open up the top you can see the board and any signs of water damage. If there is damage be sure to check your taillight seals and replace 'em if needed to prevent further water damage. Hopefully this will help someone who stumbles across this post in the future.

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by Papa Popov

Don't recall having to disconnect TPMS when I did my suspension, but my car is an '09 so the system is a bit different than later models.

I can say that in my experience the whole TPMS system is very fragile, RDC especially. I got intermittent errors for TPMS inactive til a giant snowstorm rolled through. After that it was constant errors every time I started the car. Turned out water had gotten into my trunk and fried the RDC. Swapped in a used RDC module, reset the system, and had no issues after that.

I doubt that's your culprit, but it might be worth checking. Its located on the passenger side of the trunk under the carpet (where the battery would be on an E9X). When you open up the top you can see the board and any signs of water damage. If there is damage be sure to check your taillight seals and replace 'em if needed to prevent further water damage. Hopefully this will help someone who stumbles across this post in the future.

I pulled the front wheel well liners when I did the suspension to reach the bolt holding on the tension strut - I wanted to pull the entire hub off. Also, I wanted to replace the fog light housings. So, had to disconnect the transmitters. I thought about the RDC in the trunk - I did check it to get an exact part number in case that turns out to be the problem. But I agree that in my case the problem is probably more related to the disconnection of the transmitters. Perhaps the transmitter got bumped too hard or something dropped on it or something while it was off the car.

Are the transmitters plug-and-play replacement or are there secret BMW incantations that must be chanted at midnight of a full moon to make it work?

[K9Leader]

So, third time was the charm! Pulled the right wheel and fender liner and disconnected, cleaned the contacts, and reseated it making sure it was on completely (when I pulled it off, I could see that I had not plugged it all the way in). Reset the code and . . . success. Warning gone.