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2013 BMW X3 drivetrain malfunction warning code 120308

Customer Question

2013 BMW X3 drivetrain...

2013 BMW X3 drivetrain malfunction warning code 120308 Charge air pressure control plausibility, pressure too low

Mechanic's Assistant: Have you seen this error before with the same vehicle?

Drivetrain malfunction yes, that specific code no

Mechanic's Assistant: What's the approximate mileage on your 2013 BMW X3?

63000

Mechanic's Assistant: Is there anything else the BMW Mechanic should know before I connect you? Rest assured that they'll be able to help you.

I just had the valvetronic motor replaced because I got stranded on a drivetrain malfunction warning that ended up leading to the car not being able to start. So that was replaced less than a month ago. Now I get another drivetrain malfunction warning with this code now.

Submitted: 1 year ago.Category: BMW

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Answered in 9 hours by:

6/23/2021

BMW Mechanic: Jeff B.,

replied 1 year ago

Jeff B.

Category: BMW

Satisfied Customers: 4

Experience: Expert

Verified

Hi I’m Jeff and thanks for using Just Answer. That fault is set when there is a leak in the air piping to the engine. Listen for sucking sounds or unattached vacuum lines. Look for cracked air ducts or since you recently had work done, look for loose ducting clamps or lines that are not clipped completely into other pipes. If you could gain access to a smoke machine, that would be the best way to diagnose the issue. With that machine , you can introduce smoke into the ducting and see where it seeps out, pointing out the source of the leak.

Customer reply replied 1 year ago

I don’t hear anything along any piping both when engine is on or off. It idles smoothly, accelerates normally, etc. The drivetrain error appeared on a steep incline in the mountains but going at a low and constant speed, little acceleration. After turning off the vehicle and restarting it the drivetrain message is gone and no warning light. But when using a scanner that code appears. Been a couple days since and no visible issues. Trying to determine if needed to bring into BMW. It is hard to get a smoke machine but not impossible. I just wouldn’t know where to inject the smoke.Another note but probably not the cause is It has 63k mileage on it and the spark plugs haven’t been replaced yet.

BMW Mechanic: Jeff B.,

replied 1 year ago

Yeah, worn plugs won’t cause that fault. You won’t hear anything while the engine is not running either. The fault is caused when the engine detects a fault in the ducts while running. Sounds like it may be a very small leak because you had the fault only once, and it only occurred under arduous conditions driving through the mountains. Probably hard to detect without a smoke machine.
I usually remove the air box and introduce smoke at the intake pipe previously attached to the box. You’ll need both a smoke machine and a special adapter to do this.
Those tools are expensive and I would do a good visual inspection like I’ve suggested. If you can’t find anything, it may be time to bring it to BMW.

Customer reply replied 1 year ago

I know I will have to get it checked out since it seems whatever leak is very small. But is it a good sign that ever since, the drivetrain malfunction warning hasn’t come back on? Will it keep coming on if/when it detects more of the same?

BMW Mechanic: Jeff B.,

replied 1 year ago

It does sound like the issue is relatively minor, as it has only happened once. There is always the chance though, that it will reoccur unless you get it checked out.

Customer reply replied 1 year ago

This is a separate issue perhaps but I have noticed the AC doesn’t blow hard or even throughout the vents, very weak on the outside ones by the doors, stronger coming out of the middle. Cold but not freezing cold like before.Code 80118CAir conditioning compressor. Shut down due to vacuum in refrigerant circuitAnd something about IHKA integrated automatic heating AC systemCould this also be from that leak?

BMW Mechanic: Jeff B.,

replied 1 year ago

No. Charge air faults will not cause an AC issue.

BMW Mechanic: Jeff B.,

replied 1 year ago

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2013 BMW X3 drivetrain malfunction warning code 120308

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