[cruisin_psu]

I received the above error. It came intermittently one drive then the next no error. No issues driving otherwise.

Took to BMW and ISTA+ is showing the following code:
030e0a

these codes are also present:
03064D
210002
210201
800ABF

BMW wants to replace the alternator. 1 month out of warranty @ $3500. The car has ~25k mi.

Has anyone experienced this error/code?



I tested the voltage at under hood terminals at 12.48V with car off and 13.39V with car running, right after starting. The car does have the secondary lithium ion battery toward the cowl.

I found a SIB related to a charging/dual storage that sounds applicable:

SIB 61 03 21

SITUATION The 12 V battery’s dual storage system (DSS) may contain a software error which intermittently causes a continuous resetting of the microcontroller and communication failure. The error is displayed by a red Check Control message.

[cruisin_psu]

For anyone that finds this thread - BMW luckily good willed the alternator replacement due to low mileage and very recent warranty expiration. Hopefully that was the only issue.

[prostcfc]

Nice. Yes, https://bmwfault.codes/ shows that code 030e0a points to the alternator.

Looks like the alternators one these are north of $1,000 online. $3,500 is certainly a dealer quote, but, not a cheap replacement regardless.

[SenatorPickle]

Hello World!

The above SIB helped me (THANK YOU) to have a decent conversation with my dealership in the Midwest. That said, I came to find out that this SIB was already completed and the dealership gave it the ol college try. To their defense, I had cleared the codes, but still provided a comprehensive list/milage/time stamp with a long discussion (not mad, just curious when this problem will return ha). I am the second owner, purchased my B46 2020 model at ~42K miles, currently have ~50K miles. The car is on its 3rd AGM battery (second one replaced by BMW approx 31K, and then I put one in at ~43K in an effort to throw the easiest and "least expensive" part at it during my own fumbling diagnosis). Given the below codes pulled..... right or wrong there ha.

My alternator decides not to start/charge once about every 2-5000 miles, plus I receive the identical idrive 6 warning above (among the below codes). Why? I lean towards programming... Perhaps once the system voltage drops to a certain arbitrary level (only my hypothesis at this point).

First time diagnosis, I tried restarting the car which didn't seem to remedy anything (the car fixes itself after the car formally "sleeps" though, like nothing happened). Hence my strategy to replace the 70aH AGM battery). Second, more recent time, that it decided to throw this error, the alternator (somewhat violently) re-engages after cycling the car on/off + idling for ~2 minutes in the parking lot. I was pulling codes at this time trying to guide myself as-to what was actually happening (yes, the motor mounts flexed hard and this is how I discovered that the alternator was not running; amidst the plethora of below codes - again, hence why I originally tossed a new battery in initially - likely a misdiagnosis of my own accord). Runs like a top since then, like nothing ever happened. This occurred after battery #3 installed, which is why I'm so puzzled (yes, I coded the new battery immediately after installation).

I am curious if anyone else has experienced this? It just seems like one of those BMW electrical gremlins if I'm honest as BMW assured me the aforementioned 1.1 scan tool software (which is noted in the above SIB) was completed before I purchased the car.

Perhaps this is a leading indicator of a premature alternator failure? Perhaps I'm correct on the software hiccup? Sorry for the novel.

Gateway Module (not present the first time this occurred):
801C16
801C17

Digital Motor Electronics (present for both times this occurred):
030E06
34F200
210201
210002
030E0A
030E07

Virtual Integration System:
03064D

I hope someone else has experienced this and can share in my puzzlement. Stay tuned!