2023-2024 BMW i7 'Drive faulty' Message SIB 61 14 24

Symptoms

Owners of affected 2023-2024 BMW i7 vehicles may observe a specific warning message on their instrument cluster. The primary symptom of this issue is the display of a "Drive faulty" Check Control message. This message indicates a potential problem with the vehicle's electric drive system.

Cause

The root cause of the "Drive faulty" message in the 2023-2024 BMW i7 is the chafing of the rear high-voltage cable. This cable is crucial for the electric drive unit, and abrasion can lead to malfunctions and trigger the warning message.

Important Warnings

BMW has issued critical advisories regarding this issue, especially concerning vehicle delivery and repair procedures. It is essential for owners and dealerships to be aware of these warnings:

• "Do not deliver to a customer, a New, Certified Pre-Owned or Used vehicle subject to a Delivery Stop, until the remedy is completed."
• "Do not use or sell replacement equipment/parts subject to a Delivery Stop."
• "Only properly trained personnel, who passed all applicable HV Technical Training Courses, should perform repairs which require disconnecting, or removal of High Voltage battery components on any Hybrid or Electric Vehicle. Work performed on High Voltage systems by unqualified persons may result in severe injury or damage to the vehicle."
• "High Voltage Battery removal and rework can ONLY be performed by a High-voltage Certified Technician with a HV Battery Certification level corresponding to a specific Electric or Hybrid vehicle."

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair outlined in BMW Service Information Bulletin SIB 61 14 24 involves a detailed inspection and potential repair of the high-voltage cable. Technicians will first remove the high-voltage cable connected to the rear electrical machine, following repair instruction REP 61 12 477. The entire cable will then be thoroughly inspected for any signs of chafing or damage.

If chafing or damage is found, the high-voltage cable must be replaced, and abrasion protection installed. If no damage is present, abrasion protection will still be installed to prevent future issues. Finally, the high-voltage cable will be reinstalled according to REP 61 12 477. Special attention is given to cables with index Al08, which require abrasion protection to be retrofitted before installation, while Al09 (or higher) cables already include this protection.

Required Parts

For the repair of the BMW i7 Drive faulty message, specific parts may be required:

• Repair cable: Part Number 61 29 5 B5B BE9
• High voltage wiring harness: Part Number 61 12 5 A37 103 (if required)

Additional small parts like screws, nuts, O-rings, and seals, which are not explicitly listed, must be replaced according to ISTA repair instructions and the Electronic Parts Catalogue.

Owner Action

If you own a 2023-2024 BMW i7 and experience a "Drive faulty" message, or if you are concerned about this potential issue, you should contact your authorized BMW dealership. The Service Information Bulletin SIB 61 14 24 indicates that vehicles requiring this campaign will show as "Open" in BMW's internal systems. Your dealer can check your vehicle's status and perform the necessary inspection and repair. It is important to address this issue promptly to ensure the safe operation of your vehicle.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 11006737