Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

How do you reset a BMW ECU?

My car won’t start. I was doing some research online, and it seems like the ECU is probably the issue. How do you reset a BMW computer to factory settings?

avatar
Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Impressive sleuthing skills! You can reset a
BMW
ECU by unplugging the negative battery cable for 10 to 15 minutes. This should be enough to reset the ECU in most BMW models.
If this doesn’t work, you can also try
jumpstarting your car
to reset it. This will also help if the issue is a drained battery!
If you still have problems getting your car to start after jumping the battery, however, you’ll need to talk to a mechanic to learn more about what’s going on.
To offset the cost of professional repairs, save money on your car insurance with
Jerry
—an insurance comparison app that shops for low prices with over 50 different insurance companies for free.
You will get quotes in seconds, can make changes at any time, and if you ever have any questions, agents are just a text away. The average Jerry user saves $887 a year.
MORE: Why isn’t my car starting? A quick troubleshooting guide
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings