[FSU BMW]

Hey all,

My active grille is not working, and it is driving me crazy.

Getting these two codes from ISTA:
1) LIN Bus, message; radiator blind, top; missing
2) Signal (status, cooling flap, brake, front axle, 257.6.8) invalid, transmitter DME/DDE

Here is what I have done:
1) Replaced top radiator blind actuator with a brand new one from BMW
2) That did not fix the problem, so I checked all the wiring - looks good, and the plug to the actuator is receiving 2-3 volts so power is there
3) made sure there is nothing blocking the blinds (the actuator itself does not make any noise anyways)
4) Since I am receiving a 'transmitter DME' error along with the radiator blind top missing, I also flashed the DME module through E-Sys on the latest i-step level - did not fix, so it's not a programming issue
5) unplugged all connectors going to DME, replugged - unplugged battery, replugged
6) cleared all fault codes, ran radiator blind ABL in ISTA

And no fix - the fault is still there and driving me nuts!

Any other ideas / things I may have overlooked?

Thanks all!!!

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by FSU BMW

Hey all,

My active grille is not working, and it is driving me crazy.

Getting these two codes from ISTA:
1) LIN Bus, message; radiator blind, top; missing
2) Signal (status, cooling flap, brake, front axle, 257.6.8) invalid, transmitter DME/DDE

Here is what I have done:
1) Replaced top radiator blind actuator with a brand new one from BMW
2) That did not fix the problem, so I checked all the wiring - looks good, and the plug to the actuator is receiving 2-3 volts so power is there
3) made sure there is nothing blocking the blinds (the actuator itself does not make any noise anyways)
4) Since I am receiving a 'transmitter DME' error along with the radiator blind top missing, I also flashed the DME module through E-Sys on the latest i-step level - did not fix, so it's not a programming issue
5) unplugged all connectors going to DME, replugged - unplugged battery, replugged
6) cleared all fault codes, ran radiator blind ABL in ISTA

And no fix - the fault is still there and driving me nuts!

Any other ideas / things I may have overlooked?

Thanks all!!!

If your issue is related to a failure of the Active Grill, you do know they extended the warranty to something like 15 years on them?

[FSU BMW]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

If your issue is related to a failure of the Active Grill, you do know they extended the warranty to something like 15 years on them?

I don't think mine would qualify for this repair, because my car was previously a rebuilt title :/

[V8life 550]

Originally Posted by FSU BMW

Hey all,

My active grille is not working, and it is driving me crazy.

Getting these two codes from ISTA:
1) LIN Bus, message; radiator blind, top; missing
2) Signal (status, cooling flap, brake, front axle, 257.6.8) invalid, transmitter DME/DDE

Here is what I have done:
1) Replaced top radiator blind actuator with a brand new one from BMW
2) That did not fix the problem, so I checked all the wiring - looks good, and the plug to the actuator is receiving 2-3 volts so power is there
3) made sure there is nothing blocking the blinds (the actuator itself does not make any noise anyways)
4) Since I am receiving a 'transmitter DME' error along with the radiator blind top missing, I also flashed the DME module through E-Sys on the latest i-step level - did not fix, so it's not a programming issue
5) unplugged all connectors going to DME, replugged - unplugged battery, replugged
6) cleared all fault codes, ran radiator blind ABL in ISTA

And no fix - the fault is still there and driving me nuts!

Any other ideas / things I may have overlooked?

Thanks all!!!

I had a similar issue, to fix it I just coded off the air flaps it should be under AKKS in the dme you have to code it to wert 0x00 and it should stop giving the cel

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by V8life 550

I had a similar issue, to fix it I just coded off the air flaps it should be under AKKS in the dme you have to code it to wert 0x00 and it should stop giving the cel

Very cool. First time seeing that the active grill is code-able. Most people just yank them out. I have no issue with active grill functionality. Mine work fine and I have no issue with heat.

[PPMKING]

There's really no reason to code this out. It's open most of the time. From my observation it's open when engine is up to operating temperature. I feel like it's an excuse for guys to show colored bars lol.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by PPMKING

There's really no reason to code this out. It's open most of the time. From my observation it's open when engine is up to operating temperature. I feel like it's an excuse for guys to show colored bars lol.

The people who want them open all the time or remove them are usually the people who have some type of aftermarket intakes. I'm with you though, I would hate to look at my parked car and see right through the radiators.

[V8life 550]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Very cool. First time seeing that the active grill is code-able. Most people just yank them out. I have no issue with active grill functionality. Mine work fine and I have no issue with heat.

I don't like how people break off the flaps and how they paint the two bars but it's not my car so they can do whatever makes them happy.

I never really had a issue with the flaps I actually think it's cool but I did the m5 conversion so I had to change the air duct to the f90 one, that's what caused my cel and it took me almost a month for me to figure out to code the cel away

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by V8life 550

I don't like how people break off the flaps and how they paint the two bars but it's not my car so they can do whatever makes them happy.

I never really had a issue with the flaps I actually think it's cool but I did the m5 conversion so I had to change the air duct to the f90 one, that's what caused my cel and it took me almost a month for me to figure out to code the cel away

I do like the M5 double slat grill, but it doesn't work with active grills. BTW, they don't paint the bars, they sell colored covers that snap over the bars on eBay. Not a fan.

[Dasky_spas]

Originally Posted by V8life 550

I don't like how people break off the flaps and how they paint the two bars but it's not my car so they can do whatever makes them happy.

I never really had a issue with the flaps I actually think it's cool but I did the m5 conversion so I had to change the air duct to the f90 one, that's what caused my cel and it took me almost a month for me to figure out to code the cel away

Funny bc I did the m8 conversion on my m850 and ofc I have the cel on. The shutter motor
Is still plugged in with the rotating piece in as well yet 2 codes:
138224, 138802 upper and lower limit not detected

You're saying this cel can be coded away?

[Dasky_spas]

Originally Posted by V8life 550

I had a similar issue, to fix it I just coded off the air flaps it should be under AKKS in the dme you have to code it to wert 0x00 and it should stop giving the cel

Did you notice that before and or after the codes, if the radiator fan stopped working? Either during operation or after the car shuts down. I realized i haven't been hearing the radiator fan when shutting off the car. I had the AKKS code ( drivetrain malfunction and cel) removed by my tuner finally and still no radiator fan upon shutoff. Strange and this seems to be a crucial function to make sure oil isn't getting cooked within the turbos and other intricate pathways.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I do like the M5 double slat grill, but it doesn't work with active grills. BTW, they don't paint the bars, they sell colored covers that snap over the bars on eBay. Not a fan.

Yes they do, if you get the 7-pronged aftermarket version.

[V8life 550]

Originally Posted by Dasky_spas

Did you notice that before and or after the codes, if the radiator fan stopped working? Either during operation or after the car shuts down. I realized i haven't been hearing the radiator fan when shutting off the car. I had the AKKS code ( drivetrain malfunction and cel) removed by my tuner finally and still no radiator fan upon shutoff. Strange and this seems to be a crucial function to make sure oil isn't getting cooked within the turbos and other intricate pathways.

Hi sorry for the late response I didn’t see this or your older post

I don’t exactly remember but I think the fans were on just like normal when I did it but I can’t exactly remember. Look at your oil temps if it isn’t high then it might not be a problem maybe the oil isn’t that hot to be needing the fans to run, the m8 bumper has way more air going into it compared to the regular bumper and you removed the flaps so it always has air going into the engine. I could be wrong but I think it’s not a big deal if the fans aren’t on.

Also you should post some pics if you have some

[Dasky_spas]

Originally Posted by V8life 550

Hi sorry for the late response I didn’t see this or your older post

I don’t exactly remember but I think the fans were on just like normal when I did it but I can’t exactly remember. Look at your oil temps if it isn’t high then it might not be a problem maybe the oil isn’t that hot to be needing the fans to run, the m8 bumper has way more air going into it compared to the regular bumper and you removed the flaps so it always has air going into the engine. I could be wrong but I think it’s not a big deal if the fans aren’t on.

Also you should post some pics if you have some

I'm using the prior behavior as the benchmark- even with the upgraded bumper, shutter removed, the fan would always come on after shutdown and in traffic. Now it doesn't come on at all. Nor sure if it's due to coding out the akks error or an update with the bmw newest software.

[V8life 550]

Originally Posted by Dasky_spas

I'm using the prior behavior as the benchmark- even with the upgraded bumper, shutter removed, the fan would always come on after shutdown and in traffic. Now it doesn't come on at all. Nor sure if it's due to coding out the akks error or an update with the bmw newest software.

Then I’m not sure really, maybe it’s something your Tuner changed. You can tell your tuner to remove his flash and code the akks out yourself, but I don’t really see a concern that the fan isn’t coming on.

Sorry for the late response

[TexasBruiser]

Originally Posted by V8life 550

I had a similar issue, to fix it I just coded off the air flaps it should be under AKKS in the dme you have to code it to wert 0x00 and it should stop giving the cel

Glad I kept searching. If it is not too much trouble,

I need step-by-step to deactivate the active grill.

I have the same issues and tried all the other fixes. So did BMW and a 3rd party certified shop. Of course, THEY know the real problem, but will not de-program for the obvious reasons. I do not qualify under that very limited BMWUSA recall program. I am sure it is just a glitch in the ECM/BCM. Mines a 2016 G12 (750i xDrive). No inspection station will even hook-it up for test with that damn CEL on.
I have ESTA+ with all the software that ShawnSheridan gave me - but have never gone into the coding module.

[Dasky_spas]

Funny enough, I did my inspection and failed bc my cel could not be activated which is the trick my tuner used to get me out of limp mode. I'll have to load the oem file which means I too will need to solve the shutter issue on that file. I'll contact a couple guys and see what they can do.