The LCM will do a cold check when the ignition is turned on to validate the resistance of a correct bulb in all the lights. Most of us will disable that cold check when retrofitting LED bulbs as the will flash for a couple of seconds at start up. I leave all my hot checks on so I know when and if I ever have a bulb failure.

 

So that’s why my led side markers flash at startup! They’re the only led’s on the car and it’s kind of cool. “Look out, we’re about to take off”

 

Haven't poked around with the LCM coding for a while, but yes you are right with cold = off and hot = on. But that is only for bulb checking if they need replacing and as Overboost stated, most LED retrofitting "needs" cold monitoring off to not flicker sometimes but not needed if you got enough resistance in the LED bulbs. But this is a sidetrack on what you want.

I see you are using BMW scanner 1.14 instead of NCS expert, everything is not showed with that program but it is easier to understand and code with, I would suggest looking with NCS expert on all your coding options there and see if there is something to do with the brake switch or replacing it with an oem either from a junked car or new in box.

 

BMW Scanner 1.4.0.9
I've just been through the brake switch saga which concluded in the deployment of a junk yard OEM switch after nearly 3 weeks of trying to figure out why the brake lights were staying on.
I have NCS Expert installed. Just need the cable. To be honest the interface looks really crap. Amateurish. As though not much effort has been put into its development. In German.
INPA too and that desn't look muchbetter.

 

Yes NCS Expert is utilitarian, but its for programing a car...not for entertainment. INPA is also very rudimentary but still...function over form. They both do a stellar job considering the price.
I spent 500 on a tuning program and it is just as utilitarian.

The K-CAN cable is inexpensive on Amazon. I highly recommend it and using the NCS software.

 

I have also read that they are a little risky. Too easy to mess things up. Again probably due to the lack of effort put into the software. Lack of input validation and update confirmation. Essential feature in maagement systems. Just guessing. I will know when I get round to using them.

 

Honestly you need both INPA/NCS Expert and PA Soft 1.4 in your toolbox. Each one has features the other cannot perform. I even bought a Foxwell NT-510 to set my transfer clutch wear because either one above did not have that capability.

 

Yes. I get that. I want to look at the LCM live data, for example, but you can't do that with PASoft even though the button is there on the screen but greyed out. Not sure why that is.

 

I thought :

cold check- does it draw current when applying a low voltage through it, in the off state.

hot check- does the current draw roughly match what an incandescent lamp would draw once up to operating temperature.

t.
fails all tests

 

I imagine the purpose of the test is to see if there is continuity through the circuit. If there is continuity the amount of current will provide
the resistance of the circuit. All things considered the current is calculable. A current that is significantly above the nominal is also cause for concern.