Code out LED bulbs (FEM based vehicles)

April 13, 2021

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Overview

When you change a halogen bulb to an LED bulb within your BMW, you'll get one of the following happen:

Error on the iDrive/cluster for each specific bulb/function
Flickering of the LED bulb(s) on vehicle start up
Sporadic flickering of the LED bulb(s) whilst the ignition is on

Cause

Your BMW has a bulb check system in place which is designed for halogen bulbs. When you change the bulb to an LED bulb, the resistance is too low when compared to a halogen bulb and the vehicle will throw up an error as the resistance is outside of the expected range. LED bulbs are also very responsive to any slight voltage fluctuations and when the vehicle pulses the bulb to ensure that there's a closed circuit, the LED will rapidly flick and flash.

Resolution

Code your vehicle to expect LED bulbs instead of halogen bulbs for all bulbs changed.

Coding Values

Daytime running bulbs (halogen headlights)

FEM > 3061 > TFL_R_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > TFL_R_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > TFL_R_IS_LED: activ  
FEM > 3061 > TFL_L_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > TFL_L_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > TFL_L_IS_LED: activ

Side light bulbs (halogen headlights)

FEM > 3061 > POL_R_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > POL_R_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > POL_R_IS_LED: activ  
FEM > 3061 > POL_L_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > POL_L_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > POL_L_IS_LED: activ

Front fog light bulbs

FEM > 3061 > NSW_R_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > NSW_R_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > NSW_R_IS_LED: activ  
FEM > 3061 > NSW_L_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > NSW_L_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > NSW_L_IS_LED: activ

Front indicator bulbs

FEM > 3061 > FRA_V_R_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > FRA_V_R_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > FRA_V_R_IS_LED: activ  
FEM > 3061 > FRA_V_L_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > FRA_V_L_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > FRA_V_L_IS_LED: activ

Side indicator bulbs

FEM > 3061 > FRA_Z_R_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > FRA_Z_R_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > FRA_Z_R_IS_LED: activ  
FEM > 3061 > FRA_Z_L_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > FRA_Z_L_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > FRA_Z_L_IS_LED: activ

Low/dipped beam (halogen headlights)

FEM > 3061 > AL_R_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > AL_R_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > AL_R_IS_LED: activ  
FEM > 3061 > AL_L_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > AL_L_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > AL_L_IS_LED: activ

High/full beam (halogen headlights)

FEM > 3061 > FL_R_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > FL_R_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > FL_R_IS_LED: activ  
FEM > 3061 > FL_L_KALTUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > FL_L_WARMUEBERWACHUNG: nicht_activ  
FEM > 3061 > FL_L_IS_LED: activ