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      02-03-2011, 10:57 PM   #8
Finnegan
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Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Teaching the dog to slalom

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My understanding is that there are generic (all model) OBDII codes and then there are specific BMW (supplemental) codes. OBDII was a means to standardize a large number of codes and the generic codes apply across all makes. The supplemental list is a smaller subset for each make to allow for "unique" codes.

The error code itself tells us what kind of code it is and which system is impacted. The first character describes the system. P in the first position means powertrain. The second character defines whether this is a generic (0) or make specific supplemental or enhanced (1) code. The third character is for the system, and a 2 means injector related. The rest of the string describes the specific error in more detail.

So your SA was telling the truth when they said "there is no P1200 for BMW". Maybe there was a misunderstanding or lack of clarity supplied by the SA in describing the code. Yes, it is not a supplemental code on BMW's list.. However, it is a valid OBDII code--just not a BMW enhanced code. The code doesn't describe a misfire; rather it's a code that says the injector control isn't working properly. That could lead to detonation (lean condition) and knocking and misfires (but there are other specific codes for those as well in additional to the injector code).

Someone chime in and correct this if I'm wrong.

Last edited by Finnegan; 02-03-2011 at 11:08 PM..
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