Should this be covered under the warranty?

isabayo · 02-22-2010, 08:28 PM

My BMW assist is not working so I took it to Russel BMW in MD. They are claiming its because an incompatible phone was paired using bluetooth and they claim the TCU may be fried because of it. They are denying warranty on it. Can I just take it to another dealer?

NewM3driver · 02-22-2010, 08:32 PM

If it doesnt work in the first 4 years they fix it... free, no questions asked.

isabayo · 02-22-2010, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

If it doesnt work in the first 4 years they fix it... free, no questions asked.

I wouldn't have created this thread if that was the case.

needspeed · 02-22-2010, 08:50 PM

Sounds crazy to me there is no way that pairing a BT phone can cause damage to any part of the car. Either it pairs or it does not. The SA is out of his/her mind. Talk to the Service Manager and have them show you where it says that pairing an "incompatable phone" will damage the car. That list just tells customers which phones work and not to expect those not on the list to work. My phone and my Wife's phone are not on the list and they work fine in both our BMW's......good luck.......Steve

From BMW Site: http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...blePhones.aspx
Currently Approved Phones
This list is provided for reference only. The mobile phones listed here have passed compatibility tests as of the date of testing and meet or exceed minimum standards established by BMW. The list is not a warranty for phone performance or functionality. BMW makes no guarantees or warrantees as to the performance of each phone while connected to your BMW via Bluetooth® Wireless Technology. Furthermore, software releases by BMW, the phone supplier or the wireless carrier dated after testing might alter compatibly results. While many phones are offered with Bluetooth® Wireless Technology, not all phones support the necessary profiles to work with your BMW. BMW does not guarantee availability or functionality with all wireless carriers. Functions such as synchronizing the address book and transferring a call into or out of the vehicle may function differently from phone to phone.

isabayo · 02-22-2010, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by needspeed

Sounds crazy to me there is no way that pairing a BT phone can cause damage to any part of the car. Either it pairs or it does not. The SA is out of his/her mind. Talk to the Service Manager and have them show you where it says that pairing an "incompatable phone" will damage the car. That list just tells customers which phones work and not to expect those not on the list to work......good luck.......Steve

The manual actually states it may cause things to malfunction....

needspeed · 02-22-2010, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3pyun

The manual actually states it may cause things to malfunction....

I will have to look, but does it say it may physically break something and void waranty???? Otherwise it should juts be a simple reset. Really poor design on BMWs part to let BT pairing really break anything.....Steve

isabayo · 02-22-2010, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by needspeed

I will have to look, but does it say it may physically break something and void waranty???? Otherwise it should juts be a simple reset. Really poor design on BMWs part to let BT pairing really break anything.....Steve

Thats exactly what I told the sa

sikoskul · 02-22-2010, 09:10 PM

Curious, and not indicative that I agree that the phone is the issue, but what phone have you been using to pair with the car?

needspeed · 02-22-2010, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sikoskul

Curious, and not indicative that I agree that the phone is the issue, but what phone have you been using to pair with the car?

Just delete the phone from your cars pairing list and see if things go back to normal. Also what is broken....symptoms?.....Steve

isabayo · 02-22-2010, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by needspeed

Just delete the phone from your cars pairing list and see if things go back to normal. Also what is broken....symptoms?.....Steve

It was an LG phone, i'm not sure which model... The BMW assist button does not work. The phone has already been removed form the pairings list.

needspeed · 02-22-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3pyun

It was an LG phone, i'm not sure which model... The BMW assist button does not work. The phone has already been removed form the pairings list.

Wish I could help you, but I got nothing except bring it to another dealer or escalate at your dealer and call BMW.......Good Luck.....Steve

chungdae · 02-22-2010, 10:07 PM

Call BMW USA. Tell them the name of the SA, and BMW USA will personally call him/her and tell him/her that he/she is an idiot.

isabayo · 02-22-2010, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chungdae

Call BMW USA. Tell them the name of the SA, and BMW USA will personally call him/her and tell him/her that he/she is an idiot.

not a bad idea!!

JCtx · 02-22-2010, 10:12 PM

I have an idea that if you're lucky, could be your issue: check ALL the fuses under the radio (there're 9 listed, but some are missing), especially the 5A ones.

BMW assist works independently of bluetooth, so your dealer's excuse is crap IMO. Now, if you've done any V1 hardwiring or something in your roof console, it warrants closer examination. Good luck, and keep us posted.
JC

tom @ eas · 02-22-2010, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3pyun

It was an LG phone, i'm not sure which model... The BMW assist button does not work. The phone has already been removed form the pairings list.

Pairing does not damage TCUs. LG phones however are notorious for having issues with BMW systems and not pairing correctly, the cars simply hate them.

Try pairing another phone (iPhone or otherwise) before throwing in the towel.

isabayo · 02-22-2010, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elp_jc

I have an idea that if you're lucky, could be your issue: check ALL the fuses under the radio (there're 9 listed, but some are missing), especially the 5A ones.

BMW assist works independently of bluetooth, so your dealer's excuse is crap IMO. Now, if you've done any V1 hardwiring or something in your roof console, it warrants closer examination. Good luck, and keep us posted.
JC

it appears bluetooth and bmw assist both use the TCU.

I found this thread from e90post
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3362718

I also found this, the last few lines are interesting. wireless4bmw.com now redirects directly to bmw's bluetooth site.

http://edu.cqdx.gov.cn/bmw/CarModel/...iring_155.html

Quote:

Pairing does not damage TCUs. LG phones however are notorious for having issues with BMW systems and not pairing correctly, the cars simply hate them.

Try pairing another phone (iPhone or otherwise) before throwing in the towel.

The previous owner paired the LG, I deleted the LG phone a while ago and have been using my iphone 3g.

FStop7 · 02-22-2010, 10:44 PM

That has got to be the stupidest excuse I've ever heard from a service department.

gemini330zhp · 02-22-2010, 10:45 PM

Get a Iphone call it a day. Also test out another bluetooth phone and test it out. Im sure nothing is broken or fried as the SA stated.

isabayo · 02-22-2010, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gemini330zhp

Get a Iphone call it a day. Also try another phone and test it out. Im sure nothing is broken or fried as the SA stated.

I do have an iphone, and thats currently the only phone thats paired right now. Everything else in the car works perfectly fine except the TCU.

I found another instance of the same thing on the 1 series board.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums//showthread.php?t=208723

isabayo · 03-01-2010, 03:51 PM

Called BMWNA and they said the dealer was correct in refusing warranty.

However, I did file a formal complaint against the whole thing, this is a MAJOR flaw in the system.

JCtx · 03-01-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3pyun

it appears bluetooth and bmw assist both use the TCU.

Don't know what 'TCU' stands for, but it also has something to do with the radio. I pulled fuse #18 (the first listed out of NINE), and it killed the stereo, bluetooth, and BMW assist (a warning pops up on this only). Maybe one of the other fuses kill the TCU only, so I still suggest you check them all to make sure it's not something as stupid as a blown fuse (no need to remove them for a check). You might have some of the fuses listed empty, like I did. They're listed on the diagram on the back of the removable glove compartment lid. Good luck, and please keep us posted.

Bisan · 10-25-2010, 06:46 PM

Any updates about this because they have had my car for a few weeks now pending an open Puma case with no avail!

02-22-2010, 08:28 PM	#1
isabayo First Lieutenant 44 Rep 319 Posts Drives: G05 X5 50i M Sport Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: MD iTrader: (7)	Should this be covered under the warranty? My BMW assist is not working so I took it to Russel BMW in MD. They are claiming its because an incompatible phone was paired using bluetooth and they claim the TCU may be fried because of it. They are denying warranty on it. Can I just take it to another dealer?
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02-22-2010, 08:32 PM	#2
NewM3driver Colonel 1110 Rep 2,008 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	If it doesnt work in the first 4 years they fix it... free, no questions asked.
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02-22-2010, 08:50 PM	#4
needspeed First Lieutenant 10 Rep 319 Posts Drives: 10 X5 M/05 F430/12 CTS-V Coupe Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Middle of nowhere IOWA iTrader: (0)	Sounds crazy to me there is no way that pairing a BT phone can cause damage to any part of the car. Either it pairs or it does not. The SA is out of his/her mind. Talk to the Service Manager and have them show you where it says that pairing an "incompatable phone" will damage the car. That list just tells customers which phones work and not to expect those not on the list to work. My phone and my Wife's phone are not on the list and they work fine in both our BMW's......good luck.......Steve From BMW Site: http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...blePhones.aspx Currently Approved Phones This list is provided for reference only. The mobile phones listed here have passed compatibility tests as of the date of testing and meet or exceed minimum standards established by BMW. The list is not a warranty for phone performance or functionality. BMW makes no guarantees or warrantees as to the performance of each phone while connected to your BMW via Bluetooth® Wireless Technology. Furthermore, software releases by BMW, the phone supplier or the wireless carrier dated after testing might alter compatibly results. While many phones are offered with Bluetooth® Wireless Technology, not all phones support the necessary profiles to work with your BMW. BMW does not guarantee availability or functionality with all wireless carriers. Functions such as synchronizing the address book and transferring a call into or out of the vehicle may function differently from phone to phone. __________________ 10 BMW X5 M Silverstone w/Black on Black interior - Loaded 12 CTS-V Coupe Thunder Gray - Loaded 13 Ford GT500 (650HP Priceless!!!!) as soon as can be delivered 05 F430 F1 - Giallo 08 BMW M3 Interlagos Blue Metallic - DCT (Traded) Last edited by needspeed; 02-22-2010 at 08:55 PM..
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02-22-2010, 09:10 PM	#8
sikoskul Private First Class 11 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 18 M2 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Riverside iTrader: (1)	Curious, and not indicative that I agree that the phone is the issue, but what phone have you been using to pair with the car?
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02-22-2010, 10:07 PM	#12
chungdae The Asian Sensation 56 Rep 708 Posts Drives: 2009 Alpine White M3, S1000RR Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (2)	Call BMW USA. Tell them the name of the SA, and BMW USA will personally call him/her and tell him/her that he/she is an idiot.
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02-22-2010, 10:12 PM	#14
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	I have an idea that if you're lucky, could be your issue: check ALL the fuses under the radio (there're 9 listed, but some are missing), especially the 5A ones. BMW assist works independently of bluetooth, so your dealer's excuse is crap IMO. Now, if you've done any V1 hardwiring or something in your roof console, it warrants closer examination. Good luck, and keep us posted. JC
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02-22-2010, 10:44 PM	#17
FStop7 I like cars 329 Rep 5,052 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newbury Park, CA iTrader: (3)	That has got to be the stupidest excuse I've ever heard from a service department. __________________ My photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/racelap/
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02-22-2010, 10:45 PM	#18
gemini330zhp Major 34 Rep 1,181 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 E90 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: BergenCo NewJersey iTrader: (0)	Get a Iphone call it a day. Also test out another bluetooth phone and test it out. Im sure nothing is broken or fried as the SA stated. __________________ 2008 Jet Black E90 M3 6SPD no sunroof and 18s to my specs
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03-01-2010, 03:51 PM	#20
isabayo First Lieutenant 44 Rep 319 Posts Drives: G05 X5 50i M Sport Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: MD iTrader: (7)	Called BMWNA and they said the dealer was correct in refusing warranty. However, I did file a formal complaint against the whole thing, this is a MAJOR flaw in the system.
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10-25-2010, 06:46 PM	#22
Bisan Private First Class 12 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 & 1988 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tampa, Fl iTrader: (0)	Any updates about this because they have had my car for a few weeks now pending an open Puma case with no avail!
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