CEL active front shutter

10-18-2025

I recently replaced my front active shutter system / grille replaced due to damage. I kept the original motor and it's functioning fine (opens and closes with no grinding, etc).

After a few days I’m getting a CEL for the upper stop not being recognized. I've cleared the boxes and it goes away for a bit but comes back. Not sure if the motor needs to be recalibrated after reinstalling or what the fix is. If so, any idea how to do this?

Specifically this is the DTC code that is being thrown.

DME_BAC2 - DIGITAL MOTOR ELECTRONICS 138803: Radiator blind, top: upper stop not detected

I own BimmerUtility on Windows and BimmerCode on Android, but not sure either of these can help me outside of erasing the code temporarily.

10-19-2025

:coolpics:I left the first and last shutter on to allow the motor to recognize the open and lose limits.

10-19-2025

Forsakenone wrote
:coolpics:I left the first and last shutter on to allow the motor to recognize the open and lose limits.

And you don’t get any codes? I’d like to eliminate my shutters but don’t want to deal with codes popping up

10-27-2025

Since the actuator seems OK, something on the shutter is likely binding or not closing at the right angle. Inspect the entire mechanism of the shutter and make sure it has a proper stop at the open and closed positions. DO NOT rotate the shutters manually with the electric actuator is installed inside the grill shutter assembly! This could damage the gears inside the actuator. I do not know if these aftermarket tools can cycle the actuator. Proprietary OEM tools can.

PM me if you want more direct advice. It has been a couple years but I used to work on these.

Also strongly advise against trying to eliminate the grill shutter. There is truly no reason to get rid of it and you will not benefit at all. You will have endless CEL if the actuator is missing and not responding to the ECM.

11-01-2025

I figured out the open and close limits on the shutters and placed a riveted both sides to allow the motor to actuate properly to the open and close limits. The tab on the motor would hit the limits set by the rivets.

An image attached to this post, provided by the poster

11-01-2025

That should work. The actuator will measure the angle that it achieves on a calibration cycle between the full open and full close limits. As long as this calibration angle is within the expected range, it should continue to work.

Also make sure things are plugged in properly. You don't want any water getting into the electrical wiring or the actuator itself. Keep everything plugged in so it's sealed like it was from the factory.

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CEL active front shutter