Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Fault overview: Notes
- The following table contains the fault codes for the DME 7.1.1 in V8 naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines and in V6 naturally aspirated engines in the USA. It also includes the codes for countries adhering to the EU4 emission standard and countries in the rest of the world.
- In Tiptronic vehicles, the fault memory for the Tiptronic control unit may also have to be read out because the Check Engine light can also be switched on from there.
FAULT TYPES AND THEIR MEANINGS
| Fault type 1: | Signal implausible/implausible operating range/malfunction (Plaus) |
| Fault type 2: | Open circuit/no signal (Sig) |
| Fault type 3: | Short to ground/lower limit value not reached/lean limit (Min) |
| Fault type 4: | Short to B+/upper limit value exceeded/rich limit (Max) |
| *: | The fault types have a different meaning in the case of misfire faults. |
| Fault type 1: | Exhaust-related fault after engine start-up |
| Fault type 3: | Exhaust-related fault during driving |
| Fault type 4: | Fault causing damage to catalytic converter, CE flashes |
STATUS OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ITS MEANING FOR USA/countries adhering to the EU4 emission standard
| CE (MIL) | Check Engine light (Malfunction Indicator Light) |
| 0 | CE is off, no fault memory entry |
| 1 | CE flashes immediately, fault causing damage to catalytic converter |
| 2 | CE permanently lit, fault exhaust-related |
| 3 | CE permanently lit after 2 driving cycles |
| 4 | CE permanently lit after 5 seconds |
| 5 | CE off, fault memory entry, fault output to Scan Tool |
| 6 | CE off, fault not exhaust-related |
| 7 | Fault caused by short test |
| 11 | Fuel supply fault, CE on after 2 driving cycles, higher freeze frame priority |
| 30 | CE permanently lit after 3 driving cycles |
| 31 | CE permanently lit after 3 driving cycles with misfires or faults causing damage to the catalytic converter after start-up |
| 32 | CE off, fault memory entry, fault output to Scan Tool after 3 driving cycles |
| 33 | Fuel supply fault, CE permanently lit after 3 driving cycles, higher freeze frame priority |
| 34 | Major leak, CE permanently lit after 2 driving cycles, goes out immediately after OK check Fault memory entry for diagnosis |
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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