[Z06] C1214 H C code question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 18
From: Oklahoma
C1214 H C code question
I've researched and read the other threads on this subject. The guy who was selling said when he took possession of it in Oct last year that they weren't on and it was fine. It just recently came on he said. The car basically sat for four months and was only driven 300 miles during that time. It appears that this can occur if voltage gets too low. Does that damage the ECBM or will it eventually clear? The battery is a Optima red top and fully charged. I drove the car home 5 hours with no problem other than those blasted dash lights staring at me. I'm just trying to determine if I need to send the ECBM into that company who fixes them for $200?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,451
Likes: 27
From: Bay Area CA
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 18
From: Oklahoma
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,030
Likes: 9,786
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
C1214 can be more than the death code for the EBCM. The EBCM has a relay that supplies DC power to the BPMV pump motor. If the motor starts running slow or a high impedance short from the motor windings to the case ground occur too much current is drawn through the relay and its contacts burn thus increasing resistance in the circuit. The voltage across the motor drops and it stops turning shutting down the system. You can sometimes get the system to work by replacing the relay with a heavier duty relay but eventually that will fail as well. The best thing to do is to follow the many C1214 diagnostic procedures that have been posted on the forum and check to see if the BPMV is the cause of the problem. You may have to repair/replace the EBCM and replace the BPMV to get things working again.
Yes, a low voltage can cause this code since the system will look at a low supply voltage the same way it looks at an increased voltage drop across a resistance. The diagnostic procedures call for checking voltage and ground connections for the EBCM and BPMV.
The problem with pulling your EBCM out and sending it to ABS Fixer is he only replaces the relay. Nothing else in the EBCM can be fixed. If your EBCM is only showing a C1214 you want to make sure you get it back when you send it in for return. If you do a swap with one on the shelf there is no way to know if the one off the shelf has other errors. I think C1255 is the fatal error from which there is no return.
Bill
Yes, a low voltage can cause this code since the system will look at a low supply voltage the same way it looks at an increased voltage drop across a resistance. The diagnostic procedures call for checking voltage and ground connections for the EBCM and BPMV.
The problem with pulling your EBCM out and sending it to ABS Fixer is he only replaces the relay. Nothing else in the EBCM can be fixed. If your EBCM is only showing a C1214 you want to make sure you get it back when you send it in for return. If you do a swap with one on the shelf there is no way to know if the one off the shelf has other errors. I think C1255 is the fatal error from which there is no return.
Bill
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 231
Likes: 10
From: NH
I have Fixed no less than 6 C5 EBCM's with the 1214 code that the only thing wrong was really bad solder joints. There is a post on how to fix it on this forum. Basically look for cold joints and reflow them just like the AC control. It is a PITA to get the cover off it is bonded with silicone after removing the 4 small torx screws it has to be cut / pryed off, but not having to send the units out was worth it for me.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 18
From: Oklahoma
C1214 can be more than the death code for the EBCM. The EBCM has a relay that supplies DC power to the BPMV pump motor. If the motor starts running slow or a high impedance short from the motor windings to the case ground occur too much current is drawn through the relay and its contacts burn thus increasing resistance in the circuit. The voltage across the motor drops and it stops turning shutting down the system. You can sometimes get the system to work by replacing the relay with a heavier duty relay but eventually that will fail as well. The best thing to do is to follow the many C1214 diagnostic procedures that have been posted on the forum and check to see if the BPMV is the cause of the problem. You may have to repair/replace the EBCM and replace the BPMV to get things working again.
Yes, a low voltage can cause this code since the system will look at a low supply voltage the same way it looks at an increased voltage drop across a resistance. The diagnostic procedures call for checking voltage and ground connections for the EBCM and BPMV.
The problem with pulling your EBCM out and sending it to ABS Fixer is he only replaces the relay. Nothing else in the EBCM can be fixed. If your EBCM is only showing a C1214 you want to make sure you get it back when you send it in for return. If you do a swap with one on the shelf there is no way to know if the one off the shelf has other errors. I think C1255 is the fatal error from which there is no return.
Bill
Yes, a low voltage can cause this code since the system will look at a low supply voltage the same way it looks at an increased voltage drop across a resistance. The diagnostic procedures call for checking voltage and ground connections for the EBCM and BPMV.
The problem with pulling your EBCM out and sending it to ABS Fixer is he only replaces the relay. Nothing else in the EBCM can be fixed. If your EBCM is only showing a C1214 you want to make sure you get it back when you send it in for return. If you do a swap with one on the shelf there is no way to know if the one off the shelf has other errors. I think C1255 is the fatal error from which there is no return.
Bill
