[cassina1]

Originally Posted by transcendid

Hi all,

Recently added a 2018 X3 to my BMW Family (also own a 2016 340i) and a couple of months into ownership had 2 problems. 1. the Comfort Access stopped working and 2. the active kidney grilles were stuck in the open position. Took the car in about a month ago and they "found a short" in the Comfort Access system, which they fixed. But when they went to troubleshoot the active kidney grille issue, the diagnostics triggered the Check Engine light and indicated the entire Active Grille Assembly needs to be replaced. They tell me they've ordered the part, but it needs to ship directly from Germany and is showing a status of "backordered, not available" for the past month. They also do not want to give the car back to me because the Check Engine light is on, and it could mask other issues that can occur while I have the car. They tell me they have several other X3's that are in the same boat and BMW is not providing any information about what is possibly going wrong.

So... looking for some sage advice from this group... Has anyone experienced a similar issue and gotten a fix? I'd like to get my car back while they wait on this part OR get some kind of reimbursement if they NEED to hang on to it.

Thanks in advance!

In New Zealand they are sold with non active kidney grills. So you could ask if they could be fitted instead.

[bluesky]

My MY2018 X3 (late 2017 production) had same check engine light issue occur in mid-2019... after trying “reprogramming”, dealer replaced the indicated Upper Shutters which cleared the fault. (I rarely use Eco or Sport mode). Just today the engine light came on again and the diagnosis now is both Upper and Lower Shutters failed, with parts overnighted to arrive tomorrow morning. Service Advisor acknowledged this has become a well known issue in MY2018 X3 & X5.

Now I’m wondering if enough time has elapsed (~2 yrs) for BMW to begin substituting more robust parts to prevent recurrence of these widespread failures.

[Orenco]

Kuni BMW in Portland, Oregon replaced the grill shutter actuator on my wife's 2018 X3 approximately 6 months ago because it was stuck in the open position. This week, the CEL lit up and it's throwing the same P05A0 code. I checked the grill shutter and once again, it's in the open position. Looks like the replacement shutter is no more reliable than original. Took it back to Kuni and they are replacing the upper and lower grill flaps.
BTW, The dealer service advisor claimed that BMW is developing a more reliable replacement part but they aren't ready for production yet.

[WallyF]

My 2018 X3 30ixDrive is throwing the following two fault codes when I perform a Carly diagnostic scan:
21B042 Bottom flaps "Lower radiator shutter: Blocked
21B043 Upper flaps "Upper radiator shutter: Blocked

The CEL does not come ON. My 2018 X3 has a build date of April 2018 so it fits right in with this problem. I am not sure when they failed but my scan of June 2019 did not show this problem.

Since the CEL is not ON, do you think that the dealer will allow me to keep my X3 while they get the replacement parts?

wally

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by WallyF

My 2018 X3 30ixDrive is throwing the following two fault codes when I perform a Carly diagnostic scan:
21B042 Bottom flaps "Lower radiator shutter: Blocked
21B043 Upper flaps "Upper radiator shutter: Blocked

The CEL does not come ON. My 2018 X3 has a build date of April 2018 so it fits right in with this problem. I am not sure when they failed but my scan of June 2019 did not show this problem.

Since the CEL is not ON, do you think that the dealer will allow me to keep my X3 while they get the replacement parts?

wally

Yes but parts are in stock so you should be in and out within a day if everything goes smoothly. Just say your CEL came on and it went off. They'll check faults and see the radiator blinds faults. Just make sure you don't clear them obviously

[Tenacious X]

Not sure if you guys are aware but BMW has extended the warranty at least on 2018 m40i's in regards to the active shutters.

See my original thread here: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...php?p=25578882

[BillofVegas]

MY 18 X3 m40i here. CEL and code yesterday AM early. 105F in the desert southwest here, but not too hot. Drove it right over to dealer and let them have it. By days end they called back to say the repair was done. And I picked it up. It was the lower flaps operated on.

A couple things learned.

First, they had the parts in stock, here in Vegas. Which means they are used to repairing them now, and had inventory from Germany.

Also I walked over to an X3M Competition and noted a completely different grill design, which is of much lighter plastic, less elaborate vent, which do not appear to have the chance to close. In other words, not automatic. So I guess, just pop for an X3M, and problems solved!

I expect this to be an ongoing problem, and hope I get one of those 15 year warranty extension letters in the mail soon.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by BillofVegas

MY 18 X3 m40i here. CEL and code yesterday AM early. 105F in the desert southwest here, but not too hot. Drove it right over to dealer and let them have it. By days end they called back to say the repair was done. And I picked it up. It was the lower flaps operated on.

A couple things learned.

First, they had the parts in stock, here in Vegas. Which means they are used to repairing them now, and had inventory from Germany.

Also I walked over to an X3M Competition and noted a completely different grill design, which is of much lighter plastic, less elaborate vent, which do not appear to have the chance to close. In other words, not automatic. So I guess, just pop for an X3M, and problems solved!

I expect this to be an ongoing problem, and hope I get one of those 15 year warranty extension letters in the mail soon.

So far, no BMW M vehicles have closing air shutters for the radiators. Those vehicles have to get as much air as possible. You should see how hot the oil temps get on a mild 80° day at the track in Thermal, CA. Forget about the normal summer time 110°+ days.

[freshxdough]

All models now have parts in stock and available. In the early days parts availability was low and most were from Germany. G12/G30 get only the top air flap actuator. The g01 gets full air flap assembly. All models get full lower assembly.

[g05_50i]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

I would remove that Active Grill like I did on my G30.
It is there for Aerodynamic purposes to save some gas.
I bet you with it open all the time you won't lose 1mpg, unless you are doing highway speed all the time.

r33_RGSport, how did you go about removing the Active Grill while preventing CEL from being thrown? I've removed the vertical slats and horizontal bar which the actuator moves to open/close the slats. I'm now getting a CEL. Upon starting the truck, the Active Grill actuator seems to cycle 1.5x in one direction before stopping and throwing the CEL. I'm almost certain the actuator is a hall effect sensor and I lost the magnet in the process of removing the other pieces. Can you shed some light on this one for me? Feel free to DM. TIA!

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by g05_50i

r33_RGSport, how did you go about removing the Active Grill while preventing CEL from being thrown? I've removed the vertical slats and horizontal bar which the actuator moves to open/close the slats. I'm now getting a CEL. Upon starting the truck, the Active Grill actuator seems to cycle 1.5x in one direction before stopping and throwing the CEL. I'm almost certain the actuator is a hall effect sensor and I lost the magnet in the process of removing the other pieces. Can you shed some light on this one for me? Feel free to DM. TIA!

Hmm, I didn't do enough of them where I can remember things clearly.
I believe I left the swinging arms in place.

[dj_intrinsic]

It was only a matter of time but I received the check engine light on Sunday night (9/27) and pulled the P05AF code from my 2018 M40i

Next day went to BMW service and they confirmed
13820A "Active Air Flap Control, Bottom: Blocks During Initialization"
13820B "Active Air Flap Control, Bottom: Blocks During Initialization in the event of warm ambient temperatures"

Over the past month my SA mentioned that they have serviced over 300 2018 X3s for this issue.

Now all parts are back ordered for at least 3-4 weeks! At least they let me take my car home instead of driving some base model loaner.

[chassis]

Has anyone had a recent CEL resulting in active shutter replacement?

- Are the parts readily available nowadays?
- Does anyone have intermittent CEL related to the active shutter failure?

My wife's 2018 G01 X3 30i is experiencing intermittent CEL and I think it's the shutters. Last night when the vehicle was stone cold in the garage, the shutters were open. I took a test drive last night, the CEL was on the shutters didn't change position (remained open).

Today the vehicle was stone cold, and the shutters were closed. We went out to dinner, CEL was on. On the second hot start, the CEL turned off. Now, the car is very warm/hot in the garage, and the shutters are closed. The CEL is off.

Will the dealer push back on our requesting the shutters to be replaced? Does an intermittent CEL store a code that the dealer can read, even without an active CEL?

Thanks.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by chassis

Has anyone had a recent CEL resulting in active shutter replacement?

- Are the parts readily available nowadays?
- Does anyone have intermittent CEL related to the active shutter failure?

My wife's 2018 G01 X3 30i is experiencing intermittent CEL and I think it's the shutters. Last night when the vehicle was stone cold in the garage, the shutters were open. I took a test drive last night, the CEL was on the shutters didn't change position (remained open).

Today the vehicle was stone cold, and the shutters were closed. We went out to dinner, CEL was on. On the second hot start, the CEL turned off. Now, the car is very warm/hot in the garage, and the shutters are closed. The CEL is off.

Will the dealer push back on our requesting the shutters to be replaced? Does an intermittent CEL store a code that the dealer can read, even without an active CEL?

Thanks.

All parts are available. Haven't had an issue getting parts since about 2019

If you have faults for lower or upper, the whole upper or lower assembly gets replaced on G01.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

All parts are available. Haven't had an issue getting parts since about 2019

If you have faults for lower or upper, the whole upper or lower assembly gets replaced on G01.

Thanks freshxdough . The shutters are not failing in a regular or quasi-permanent way. The CEL has been off for one day, and the shutters are in the correct position now, with the vehicle warm and in the garage.

I will keep an eye on things. When I take it to the dealer I don't want any of my time or breath wasted explaining the situation. I want to take it in, and they do the work no questions asked. That isn't the normal procedure with car dealers these days, meaning they deny and push back against warranty claims repeatedly.

The car has about 1.5 years and 25k miles left in the factory warranty, so there is no rush.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by chassis

Thanks freshxdough . The shutters are not failing in a regular or quasi-permanent way. The CEL has been off for one day, and the shutters are in the correct position now, with the vehicle warm and in the garage.

I will keep an eye on things. When I take it to the dealer I don't want any of my time or breath wasted explaining the situation. I want to take it in, and they do the work no questions asked. That isn't the normal procedure with car dealers these days, meaning they deny and push back against warranty claims repeatedly.

The car has about 1.5 years and 25k miles left in the factory warranty, so there is no rush.

They will check faults and see the faults for whatever caused the CEL. They will then do whatever repair is necessary. There should be no issue for the warranty claim.

[Torinalth]

How do you get to remove them? just pull the kidney, or does the bumper have to come off? I want to play with it this weekend.

[Fast400]

Are these codes also related to the shutters...I don't hear them moving anymore.
138210
138203
138204
138205

P05B1

FF1382

That's a handful if they're all related to the shutters

[Yobyot]

Reviving an old thread:

I just pulled a DME 13820B (SAE P05AF) code from ISTA+ on my 2019 M40i. Same as before: active flap bottom stuck.

This happened on my 2018 30i in 2019. Then in 2020, I got a letter from BMW extending warranty on the flaps for 15 years/150K miles. But I didn't get that letter for the M40i. I assumed it was because they had worked out the issue and MY19 production was using fixed parts.

ISTA+'s description of 13820B includes this wording: "...blocks during initialisation [sic] in the event of warm ambient temperature." It's been freakin' hot in Boston -- though nothing like in the West -- this month. I wonder if others are seeing failures associated with high air temperatures.

I remember thinking about active shutters when I bought these cars, "How long is that gonna last in the tough New England climate?" Answer: not very.

It looks like BMW didn't really fix it and if you have early production MY19 units, you may want to be on the lookout for this issue.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Yobyot

Reviving an old thread:

I just pulled a DME 13820B (SAE P05AF) code from ISTA+ on my 2019 M40i. Same as before: active flap bottom stuck.

This happened on my 2018 30i in 2019. Then in 2020, I got a letter from BMW extending warranty on the flaps for 15 years/150K miles. But I didn't get that letter for the M40i. I assumed it was because they had worked out the issue and MY19 production was using fixed parts.

ISTA+'s description of 13820B includes this wording: "...blocks during initialisation [sic] in the event of warm ambient temperature." It's been freakin' hot in Boston -- though nothing like in the West -- this month. I wonder if others are seeing failures associated with high air temperatures.

I remember thinking about active shutters when I bought these cars, "How long is that gonna last in the tough New England climate?" Answer: not very.

It looks like BMW didn't really fix it and if you have early production MY19 units, you may want to be on the lookout for this issue.

New parts were introduced august 2020 I believe. So 2018/2019 model years will typically have this issue. Haven't seen any for 2020s yet. My own 2020 hasn't had this issue yet either. It's a parts supplier issue not so much a part failure due to climate or usage issue.

[roc571]

thanks for all the info. my car was 2019 model and it is out of warranty. will bmw cover this? if not, may I know how much it may cost to repair?

[AllBlackBimmer]

Can you permanently remove the active shutters and code this out so it does some a CEL or other error codes?

Also looks better without them IMO.
I want to remove mine permanently and wrap the V brace
I don’t care about the “benefits” the shutters offer.