How to delete SAP from DME
The purpose of this thread is to show how to code out the SAP error and maintain emissions readiness for the E39 M5.
If you have deleted your SAP, or it is failing, and you have a CEL on for your SAP, this guide will allow you to suppress the CEL for the SAP system while maintaining emissions readiness.
While this has been done several times in the past, most old links and threads are dead, and have missing information.
Regarding ECUWORX software utility: This tool, while user friendly, simply suppresses the SAP CEL. There is no confirmation that it will enable OBD Readiness.
Acronyms in this thread:
Things you’ll need:
Instructions:
1. BMW Flash on your computer.
2. Connect your computer to the car.
3. Open BMWFlash. You should see this:
![Image]()
4. Click File\Read DME
![Image]()
5. Pull both the full and partial files just to have a backup of both. I would encourage you to make a copy of both files in case you need to restore your DME back to the original software.
6. We will be using the Partial file for this modification. Open up your Hex Editor (I used HXD), and open the Partial DME .bin file.
7. Once you’ve opened the file, you should see something like this:
![Image]()
8. There are four lines of code which we need to replace with zeros:
9. Hit CTRL+F, go to the “Hex-values” tab, and search for each line of code:
![Image]()
10: you should see something like this:
![Image]()
11. Modify the DME .bin file as follows. There are 2 methods mentioned below:
Option 1:
Replace all the highlighted text with 0’s, like this (note red 00’s):
![Image]()
Option 2:
Alternatively, you can also code out the two digits preceding the FF hex value at the end of the string, like so:
12. Repeat either Option 1 or Option 2 for all four lines of data.
13. Click the “Save” button. Remember, you created a backup somewhere else, so you can overwrite this file.
![Image]()
15. Click Yes on the confirmation screen
![Image]()
16. Viola! Start the car. It should fire, and your CEL should no longer illuminate (if SAP codes were the only codes your car was throwing).
17. Perform the drive cycle per BMW specifications:
![Image]()
18. (Optional): Scan your car using an OBD tool to check for emissions readiness. I went to an Advance Auto and borrowed their scan too (free of charge). You’ll want to go to the I/M Emissions Readiness section of the tool and run the diagnostic. Confirm that the car is showing ‘ready’ prior to going to your emissions station.
![Image]()
19. Everything should show green and ready and you should be able to go get your car inspected!
Special thanks to @videodima for confirming this worked and successfully passing emissions!
The purpose of this thread is to show how to code out the SAP error and maintain emissions readiness for the E39 M5.
If you have deleted your SAP, or it is failing, and you have a CEL on for your SAP, this guide will allow you to suppress the CEL for the SAP system while maintaining emissions readiness.
While this has been done several times in the past, most old links and threads are dead, and have missing information.
Regarding ECUWORX software utility: This tool, while user friendly, simply suppresses the SAP CEL. There is no confirmation that it will enable OBD Readiness.
Acronyms in this thread:
- SAP – Secondary Air Pump, also referred to as SAI (Secondary Air Injection)
- CEL – Check Engine Light
- SES – Service Engine Soon Light (synonymous with CEL)
Things you’ll need:
Hardware:
Windows Laptop
K+DCAN cable. I purchased this (not affiliated): K+CAN K+DCAN Car Diagnostic Tool Cable
If you have a MY00 or older model with the 20-pin port under hood, you'll also need this:
OBD to 20-pin adapter. I purchased this (not affiliated): 20 Pin to 16 Pin Female Convertor
Software:
BMWFlash (the free version will work): Download HERE
Hex Editor. I used HXD, a free hex editing tool. Download HERE
Instructions:
1. BMW Flash on your computer.
This is an older software, so if you’re running a newer version of Windows (Win 7+) you will need to be an administrator to run the setup. Additionally, installing the drivers was a pain. I would recommend plugging the k+DCAN cable into the computer, running windows update or a driver updater tool like Driver Booster by IOBIT (not affiliated), and allowing that program to identify the K+DCAN cable and install the correct drivers.
2. Connect your computer to the car.
- MY01+, you’ll use your OBD port.
- MY00 and older, you’ll use your 20 pin connector under hood.
3. Open BMWFlash. You should see this:
4. Click File\Read DME
5. Pull both the full and partial files just to have a backup of both. I would encourage you to make a copy of both files in case you need to restore your DME back to the original software.
6. We will be using the Partial file for this modification. Open up your Hex Editor (I used HXD), and open the Partial DME .bin file.
7. Once you’ve opened the file, you should see something like this:
8. There are four lines of code which we need to replace with zeros:
Code:
13285002010102000102032827FF
3F285002010102000102032827FF
AA010101010101000102032827FF
AB010101010101000102032825FF10: you should see something like this:
11. Modify the DME .bin file as follows. There are 2 methods mentioned below:
Option 1:
Replace all the highlighted text with 0’s, like this (note red 00’s):
Option 2:
Alternatively, you can also code out the two digits preceding the FF hex value at the end of the string, like so:
Code:
From 13285002010102000102032827FF
To: 13285002010102000102032800FF
From: 3F285002010102000102032827FF
To: 3F285002010102000102032800FF
From: AA010101010101000102032827FF
To: AA010101010101000102032800FF
From: AB010101010101000102032825FF
To: AB010101010101000102032800FF12. Repeat either Option 1 or Option 2 for all four lines of data.
13. Click the “Save” button. Remember, you created a backup somewhere else, so you can overwrite this file.
Additionally, if you click “Save As,” HxD did not automatically save the file as a .BIN, which caused issues when I went to reflash my DME. I tried renaming the file with a .bin extension but it still wouldn’t flash. To avoid this, I would recommend just hitting Save to ensure the file format is correct.
14. Now you are ready to Reflash your DME. Reconnect your laptop to the car and click File\Reflash.15. Click Yes on the confirmation screen
16. Viola! Start the car. It should fire, and your CEL should no longer illuminate (if SAP codes were the only codes your car was throwing).
17. Perform the drive cycle per BMW specifications:
18. (Optional): Scan your car using an OBD tool to check for emissions readiness. I went to an Advance Auto and borrowed their scan too (free of charge). You’ll want to go to the I/M Emissions Readiness section of the tool and run the diagnostic. Confirm that the car is showing ‘ready’ prior to going to your emissions station.
19. Everything should show green and ready and you should be able to go get your car inspected!
Special thanks to @videodima for confirming this worked and successfully passing emissions!
