P2404 on 2007-2013 BMW X5 E70: EVAP Pump Circuit Fault Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2007-2013 BMW X5

The E70 X5, like many other BMWs from this era, uses a specific component called a Diagnostic Module Tank Leakage (DMTL) pump for its EVAP system tests. This pump is a known high-failure item across the model line. While the code is for an electrical circuit fault, the root cause is overwhelmingly the pump module itself failing internally, rather than a simple wiring break. The pump is located in the right rear (passenger side) wheel well, making it susceptible to moisture and road debris over time. Access requires removing the wheel and fender liner, and on some models, lowering the adjacent charcoal canister to reach the pump's mounting bolts.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) is on.
• The vehicle will fail an emissions test.
• No noticeable impact on engine performance or drivability.
• In some rare cases, a faint buzzing or clicking from the rear passenger wheel well area may be heard if the pump is struggling to operate before complete failure.

Most Likely Causes

1. Faulty DMTL Pump 🔴 High Probability The DMTL pump is a well-documented common failure part on BMWs of this generation due to internal wear of the electric motor, sensor failure, or moisture intrusion from its location in the wheel well.
   How to confirm: Use a high-end scan tool (like ISTA/D for BMW) to command the DMTL pump to activate. If it doesn't respond, or if power and ground are confirmed at the connector but the pump doesn't run, the pump is faulty. The pump itself is the most common point of failure.
   Typical fix: Replace the DMTL pump module. The pump is located in the right rear (passenger side) wheel well, behind the fender liner. The Bosch OEM part is widely available and recommended.
   Est. part cost: $65-$90
2. Damaged Wiring or Corroded Connector 🟡 Medium Probability The pump's location in the wheel well exposes its wiring and connector to water, road salt, and debris, which can lead to corrosion or physical damage over time. Water can wick up the harness and cause corrosion inside the connector pins.
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the wiring harness and connector leading to the DMTL pump for any signs of green or white corrosion, frayed wires, or loose pins. Use a multimeter to check for continuity and proper voltage/ground at the connector. Water intrusion can also affect splice points further up the harness.
   Typical fix: Repair the damaged section of wiring or replace the connector pigtail. If corrosion is severe, cleaning the pins with a contact cleaner and a small brush may be sufficient, followed by applying dielectric grease to prevent future issues.
   Est. part cost: $15-$30
3. Blown Fuse ⚪ Low Probability
   How to confirm: Check the fuse for the fuel system module. For the E70 X5, this is often fuse F15 (30A) located in the rear fuse box in the luggage compartment. Always verify with your vehicle's specific fuse diagram.
   Typical fix: Replace the blown fuse. If the new fuse blows immediately, this indicates a short circuit in the wiring or the pump itself that needs to be diagnosed. A shorted DMTL pump can cause the fuse to blow.
   Est. part cost: <$5

Rare But Worth Checking

• Faulty DME (Engine Computer): This is extremely rare. The DME's internal driver for the pump circuit would have to fail. Before considering DME replacement, all other possibilities, including the pump, wiring, and fuses, must be exhaustively ruled out.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read the fault codes with a BMW-compatible OBD-II scanner to confirm P2404 is present and to check for any other related codes.
2. Safely jack up the right rear of the vehicle, secure it with a jack stand, remove the wheel, and then remove the plastic wheel arch liner using 8mm and 10mm sockets 🎬 See this step-by-step guide to removing the wheel arch liner. and a rivet removal tool.
3. Locate the DMTL pump, which is mounted near the charcoal canister.
4. Visually inspect the DMTL pump, its electrical connector, and the surrounding wiring for any obvious signs of damage, corrosion, or moisture.
5. Disconnect the electrical connector. With the ignition on, use a multimeter to check for battery voltage and a good ground at the appropriate pins on the harness-side connector. A wiring diagram for the E70 is recommended to identify the correct pins.
6. If power and ground are present, the DMTL pump is almost certainly faulty and should be replaced.
7. If power or ground is missing, trace the wiring back to find the break or check fuse F15 (30A) in the rear luggage compartment fuse box.
8. If you have a bidirectional scan tool (like ISTA/D), command the DMTL pump to run. Listen for the pump's motor. If it makes no noise and has confirmed power and ground, it has failed.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Diagnostic Module Tank Leakage (DMTL) Pump (OEM #16137193479) — This is the most common failure point for code P2404 on this vehicle. The internal motor or sensor fails, causing the circuit performance fault. This part number supersedes older versions 16136764191 and 16136752551.
  Trusted brands: Bosch (OEM), URO Parts, Genuine BMW
  OEM price range: $180-$240
  Aftermarket price range: $65-$100

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• Accessing the top mounting screw (T20 Torx) for the DMTL pump can be difficult without lowering the charcoal canister assembly, which is held by two 10mm nuts.
🎬 Watch: How to lower the canister and replace the pump.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• DMTL Pump Motor Resistance — expected: ~14 Ohms. Failure: A significantly higher reading or an open circuit (infinite resistance) indicates a failed motor winding.
• DMTL Switching Valve Resistance — expected: ~30 Ohms. Failure: A significantly higher reading or an open circuit indicates a failed valve solenoid.
• DMTL Internal Heater Resistance — expected: ~38 Ohms. Failure: An open circuit indicates a failed heater element, which can cause faults in cold or moist conditions.
• DMTL Pump Current Draw (During ISTA Test) — expected: The DME/PCM measures the current draw as the pump works against a known 0.5mm reference orifice, storing this value. It then compares this to the current draw when pressurizing the tank.. Failure: A P2404 code is set when the measured current during the test is outside the plausible range expected by the DME, indicating an electrical performance issue rather than a physical leak.

Hidden / Shadow Codes Worth Checking

• 3227 (0x3227): DMTL Leak Diagnosis Pump, Activation: Line Disconnection. This often points to an open circuit in the pump motor wiring. (see via BMW-specific diagnostic software like ISTA or a high-end scanner capable of reading manufacturer codes.)
• 3226 (0x3226): DMTL Leak Diagnosis Pump, Activation: Short Circuit To Ground. This suggests the power wire for the pump motor is shorting out. (see via BMW-specific diagnostic software like ISTA.)
• 321B (0x321B): DMTL Solenoid Valve, Activation: Line Disconnection. This points to an open circuit in the wiring for the internal changeover valve. (see via BMW-specific diagnostic software like ISTA.)
• 2A17: DMTL system fault. This is a more general DMTL fault code that can be triggered by a failing pump. (see via BMW-specific diagnostic software like ISTA or INPA.)

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• ISTA/D: Component Triggering: Motor of diagnostic module — Use this to directly command the DMTL pump motor to run. This is a quick way to verify if the pump is capable of activating at all, helping to isolate the failure between the pump itself and the wiring/DME. You should be able to hear the pump buzz when activated.
• ISTA/D: DMTL System Test Plan / Service Function — This is a comprehensive, automated test. The system first runs the pump against an internal reference orifice to measure baseline current draw, then seals the system and pressurizes the tank. It's the official BMW procedure to verify the entire system's function and is the most reliable way to diagnose DMTL issues without ambiguity.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• X1714 — The 4-pin electrical connector on the DMTL pump itself, located in the passenger-side rear wheel well.. This is the primary point for electrical testing. Probing these pins for power, ground, and continuity is essential for diagnosing a circuit fault vs. a failed pump. Pinout (based on E90, likely identical): Pin 4 is power (Red/White), Pin 1 is pump motor ground (Brown/Blue), Pin 3 is valve ground (Black/Green), Pin 2 is heater ground (Black/Red). The grounds are switched by the DME.
• Engine-to-Chassis Ground Strap — Typically located on the driver's side of the engine bay, connecting the engine block near the motor mount to the chassis.. While not directly part of the DMTL circuit, a corroded or failed main engine ground strap can cause widespread, unpredictable electrical issues and codes across various modules due to unstable system voltage. If multiple, seemingly unrelated electrical faults are present with P2404, this ground should be inspected.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• XBimmers.com user 'remixsecret' (2011 BMW X5 (E70)) — Check Engine Light with multiple DMTL hex codes (3224, 321B, 3227, 3226).
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replacing the DMTL pump, Replacing the gas cap, Checking the wiring to the DMTL connector for corrosion or breakage
  ✅ What actually fixed it The owner discovered a fuse was in the wrong location in the fuse panel. Correcting the fuse placement resolved all codes.

"I Checked Everything" — The Actual Cause

• A critical piece of technician-level advice is to NOT use a traditional EVAP smoke machine to pressurize the fuel tank on BMWs with a DMTL system. According to a BMW service document, applying external pressure can create 'erroneous leaks from the DMTL check valve,' leading to a misdiagnosis. The correct procedure is to use the DMTL pump itself to pressurize the system via the ISTA test plan.
• In one documented case, a persistent DMTL-related fault was not caused by the pump or its circuit, but by a melted electrical connector on top of the in-tank fuel pump. This created a small vapor leak that the DMTL system was correctly detecting, but the source of the leak was far from the typical EVAP components and would not be found by a standard visual inspection of the canister and hoses.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 16136752551, 16136764191 → 16137193479 — Standard part evolution for improved reliability or manufacturing process changes.
  Heads up: None. The newest part number (16137193479) is a direct, backward-compatible replacement for the older versions.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Other Known Issues on This Vehicle

Issues unrelated to this code that are worth knowing about as an owner of this generation:

• N62 V8 Engine: Valve Stem Seal Failure 🔴 High — Very common on 4.8i models, typically after 80,000 miles. Causes significant oil consumption and blue smoke from the exhaust at idle.
• N55 I6 Turbo Engine: Electric Water Pump & Thermostat Failure 🔴 High — Common failure item on xDrive35i models, often between 60,000-80,000 miles. Can fail without warning, leading to rapid overheating.
• N55/N62 Engines: Oil Leaks from Valve Cover Gasket & Oil Filter Housing Gasket 🟠 Medium — Extremely common across all gasoline engines. Gaskets become brittle with heat and time, leading to oil leaks onto the engine block and exhaust.
• M57/N57 Diesel Engines: Carbon Buildup and DPF/EGR Issues 🟠 Medium — Common on xDrive35d models, especially those used for short trips. Leads to clogged intake ports, EGR valves, and DPF filters, reducing performance.
• Rear Air Suspension Air Spring Leaks 🟠 Medium — Common on models equipped with rear air suspension (standard on 7-seaters). The rubber air springs develop leaks over time, causing the rear of the vehicle to sag.
• Panoramic Sunroof Drain Clogging 🔴 High — The sunroof drains can become clogged with debris, causing water to leak into the cabin, potentially damaging sensitive electronic modules located in the floor and trunk area.
• N55 I6 Turbo Engine: High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Failure 🔴 High — A known weak point, especially on earlier xDrive35i models, causing long cranks, stalling, and loss of power. (Ref: There was an extended warranty/recall program for this part on some models.)

Used vs. New Parts: Buying Guide for This Vehicle

When a used part is the smart pick: For this specific repair, a used part is NOT recommended. The DMTL pump is a known high-failure component due to internal wear and its exposed location. The risk of a used pump failing shortly after installation is high.

What to inspect on the donor part:

• Not applicable as a used part is not advised.

OEM-only on this vehicle (don't cheap out):

• While not strictly 'OEM-only', it is highly recommended to use either a Genuine BMW part or the OEM supplier part (Bosch) for the DMTL pump. Cheaper aftermarket alternatives have a reputation for premature failure.

Aftermarket brands forum-validated for this vehicle:

• Bosch (OEM supplier, part number 0261222018 or 026122201V)

Brands owners have reported issues with on this vehicle:

• While brands like URO Parts offer a replacement, forum consensus and mechanic experience strongly favor sticking with the Bosch OEM part to ensure longevity and avoid repeat repairs.

Real Owner Stories

Aggregated from forums and TSBs cited above. Mileages and costs reflect what owners reported in those sources.

Related OBD-II Codes

• P2400 — EVAP Leak Detection Pump Control Circuit/Open. This code, along with P2401 and P2402, points to a specific electrical failure (open circuit) in the same DMTL pump circuit as P2404.
• P2401 — EVAP Leak Detection Pump Control Circuit Low. Indicates a short to ground in the DMTL pump's electrical circuit, which could be caused by a faulty pump or damaged wiring—the same root causes as P2404.
• P2402 — EVAP Leak Detection Pump Control Circuit High. Indicates a short to power in the DMTL pump's electrical circuit. Often diagnosed alongside P2404 when troubleshooting the pump and its wiring harness.
• P0442 — EVAP System Leak Detected (Small Leak). The DMTL pump's primary function is to test for system leaks. A P2404 code means the pump isn't working correctly, so it cannot perform the test that would otherwise set a P0442.
• P0455 — EVAP System Leak Detected (Gross Leak). Similar to P0442, this code for a large leak can be masked by a P2404 fault, as the pump responsible for detecting the leak is not functioning electrically.

Frequently Asked Questions