I experienced the same message yesterday on my 2010 X5D with 18KM. It popped up on start up, before I even shifted to drive. I restarted the engine and the message disappeared. And I thought BMW does not run Windows! I decided that was a glitch. It happened again this morning - the same thing, message at start up, disappears after restart. I don;t have time to take it to the dealer now, will wait until the next oil change in a few weeks.

It amazes me that the computer can know enough to put the engine in
Limp" mode and display a message that it is in "limp mode" on the idrive, but apparently cannot record a code that says it did this.

I think BMW needs to fire a few programmers, or hire a new third-party to do their software.


P.S. Does it surprise anyone else that the BMW software apparently cannot store a code indicating that it put the engine into "Limp" mode; however, it can record the last few dozen "short trips," so that BMW can deny a battery replacement claim?

Sometimes I wonder if the the dealer shorthand of "we didn't find anything"... really means: there was a code, we ran tests, nothing wrong, no longer any error or code present, reset...done.

But yeah, hear you on the battery 'warranty management' software....

My cars back in the shop again - now the 4th time and somewhere around 35+ days. They don't know what to do.

Im sure there's always a code for every cel..theres a reason it pops up. If you have a bt scan tool you'll b able to see the codes triggered. That way u can see if your sa is jerking u or not, that's what i usually do ahead of time anyways.

True.

BUT..... the 'engine malfunction' and 'limp home' mode are NOT "EMISSIONS RELATED FAILURES" and do not trip an OBD code.

I've seen it with my own eyes (and scanners)

Now, will a BMW-specific computer (GT1, Autogenuity) be able to pull them? Dunno. but there is no OBD code to be pulled.

If BMW truly has made these silent with no history, then Penguins comments ring true....

Could b shadow codes if the regular obd scanners aren't picking them up..just a guess. I've always had codes whenever I got a engine malfunction or cel of any type on my x5d and 335.

This is an old post but I thought I would put my 2 cents in. My 2011 35d with 34000 miles. Idrive says "engine malfunction operating at reduced power" as soon as I slow down to 50ish it goes away. On a 240 mile trip it happened about 5 or 6 times and after the last time the engine light illuminated and stayed on for the last 60 miles of the trip. When I started it the next day the light was off and it ran fine for a week around town.

I own and operate a diesel injection and light duty diesel repair shop for 28 years. I am very familiar with the fuel systems on these vehicles because they are virtutally the same Bosch injectors used in the newest Dmax pickups.

What I notice is a bit of a surge or "fish bite" feeling in the seat of the vehicle. If I had not changed it I would swear it was a restricted fuel filter.

I drove to my vacation home "240 miles" in Montana this past Friday and it never happened. I did feel the "surge" a couple of times when running in the 60 to 70 mph range but no light or message on the Idrive display. When I had the chance on the trip I drove the bag off the car. Several times I had 2 and 3 mile stretches of 220 to 230 kph (Canadian car) when I drive it hard it runs great. I only feel the surge at steady state driving.

With my background I would think if it were a fuel pump issue (supply pump) or even the common rail high pressure pump that it would be more pronounced at high speeds-high load- high fuel consumption operation.

Anyone that has had this issue solved please let me know.

Thanks