▀▄ eas - 2011 LCI Taillight Retrofit Overview - Q&A

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by xsboost

I unfortunately live in Australia, so I have ordered the amber lights and 2x cables from bmminiparts.com in the UK.

I am hoping after installing the hardware I can just remove the bulb checks and everything will be fine... or will I have to go to dealer?

Not sure if the dealer has the proper coding yet, we are using the autologic dealer network to supply coding.

[GregW / Oregon]

Mine will be here next Tuesday -- can't wait!

[eclipsisNA]

Mine are being installed tomorrow!

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Eclipsis

Mine are being installed tomorrow!

Sounds good - got some other surprises for you also.

[eclipsisNA]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Sounds good - got some other surprises for you also.

Oh Tom, how I love thee. In a completely heterosexual manner that is.

[BobsM3Coupe]

I installed the E92 upgraded LED taillights that I purchased from Tom at EAS in my 2010 last week.

I first looked into having a local independent tech who has the Autologic programmer to code the lights to my car. When I got there, they had trouble trying to download the latest software into the Autologic programmer that was needed for the 2010 model year.
So after waiting an hour, not a good sign, I left.

I called Tom at EAS and he said to bring the car to him and he should be able to do it. So, yesterday I made the 445 mile round trip and Tom coded the lights to the car in about 20 minutes. Tom is a smart guy who I could tell really enjoys his work. He is very careful not to scratch the car while he was working on it. He even let me come into the shop and watch the procedure. How many shops would allow that?

So if anyone is thinking of having an independent shop code the lights to their car, and live within a days ride of Santa Ana, just make the trip to see Tom and get it done right the first time. After all, he did figure out how to do the procedure. Even BMW dealers don't know how to do it.

Thanks again Tom.

Bob

[SalM]

Nice, Looks Great!

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

I installed the E92 upgraded LED taillights that I purchased from Tom at EAS in my 2010 last week.

I first looked into having a local independent tech who has the Autologic programmer to code the lights to my car. When I got there, they had trouble trying to download the latest software into the Autologic programmer that was needed for the 2010 model year.
So after waiting an hour, not a good sign, I left.

I called Tom at EAS and he said to bring the car to him and he should be able to do it. So, yesterday I made the 445 mile round trip and Tom coded the lights to the car in about 20 minutes. Tom is a smart guy who I could tell really enjoys his work. He is very careful not to scratch the car while he was working on it. He even let me come into the shop and watch the procedure. How many shops would allow that?

So if anyone is thinking of having an independent shop code the lights to their car, and live within a days ride of Santa Ana, just make the trip to see Tom and get it done right the first time. After all, he did figure out how to do the procedure. Even BMW dealers don't know how to do it.

Thanks again Tom.

Bob

Thanks for the feedback - much appreciated. These are the types of projects we love most.

Great meeting you, now get some miles on that M3.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Thanks for the feedback - much appreciated. These are the types of projects we love most.

Tom, just curious, when I upgrade my '01 to '03.5 LED tails, all that was required was resistors to fool the bulb check. Why won't that approach work with the new ones?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Tom, just curious, when I upgrade my '01 to '03.5 LED tails, all that was required was resistors to fool the bulb check. Why won't that approach work with the new ones?

I don't like load equalizers for a few reasons:

Load equalizers run at extremely high temperatures (300F+). Having trunk insulation or other wiring is instant death for your M3 - especially with little to no ventilation. We've also seen a number of e46 LCMs damaged from use, I would only expect the same in a matter of time on the newer models, which are much more sensitive to voltage changes.

These are also a favorite on replica taillamps from China. A quick search on the e46 forums will only show how many failures were experienced.

While going the resistor route might be cheap at first, it will eventually cost more in the long run. Coding is the proper way to solve the issue.

[Kenyon]

Tom, will there be any issues if a pre LCI was coded by Autologic for the tails and than later lets say....the car goes into the dealership for program and encoding update? Will that possibly erase over the Autologic coding?
I know that for example when the E46 M3's had the DME program recall, anybody who had Dinan software can kiss that goodbye. The program and coding from ISTA will overwrite it.

[bunnn]

After inquiring about the posted parts for OEM retrofit, EAS definitely came out on top for simplicity and price sake. Now to find out if anyone local has Autologic.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by bunnn

After inquiring about the posted parts for OEM retrofit, EAS definitely came out on top for simplicity and price sake. Now to find out if anyone local has Autologic.

Use the link I posted in #61 (they cover Canada, too) to inquire. Or, this is the Ontario Autologic dealer who may have this info:

Liberty Diagnostic Services
Pat Lasalandra
Ontario
Office: 905 826-5908
Cell: 416 271-4463
libertydiagnostics@sympatico.ca

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by bunnn

After inquiring about the posted parts for OEM retrofit, EAS definitely came out on top for simplicity and price sake. Now to find out if anyone local has Autologic.

Thanks for the feedback, our roots are with the OEM+ retrofits and integration, we put a LOT of effort into R&D and making this happen.

Expect a couple of new projects being released this week.

If you cannot find an autologic dealer in your area, please PM me so I can locate one for you.

[eclipsisNA]

Drove down to Santa Ana on Friday to have my LCI tails installed by Tom. Got a flat on the 405 on the way down, but thankfully South Bay had a rear PS2 in stock and had it installed in under an hour. Also, thank the heavens for tire insurance!

Tom installed my tails in a half hour and they came out looking great. The only issue that came up was my FRM2 needs to be replaced in order for the coding to be installed. Tom helped me out with several other issues as well:

1. Removed the CEL I was having with running aftermarket mid-pipes.
2. Replaced my side markers that were falling out of their housings, free of charge.

As always it was great to deal with Tom.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Eclipsis

Drove down to Santa Ana on Friday to have my LCI tails installed by Tom. Got a flat on the 405 on the way down, but thankfully South Bay had a rear PS2 in stock and had it installed in under an hour. Also, thank the heavens for tire insurance!

Tom installed my tails in a half hour and they came out looking great. The only issue that came up was my FWM2 needs to be replaced in order for the coding to be installed.

When are replacement modules needed?

[eclipsisNA]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

When are replacement modules needed?

I'll let Tom answer that.

[cipher5]

Originally Posted by Eclipsis

Drove down to Santa Ana on Friday to have my LCI tails installed by Tom. Got a flat on the 405 on the way down, but thankfully South Bay had a rear PS2 in stock and had it installed in under an hour. Also, thank the heavens for tire insurance!

Tom installed my tails in a half hour and they came out looking great. The only issue that came up was my FWM2 needs to be replaced in order for the coding to be installed. Tom helped me out with several other issues as well:

1. Removed the CEL I was having with running aftermarket mid-pipes.
2. Replaced my side markers that were falling out of their housings, free of charge.

As always it was great to deal with Tom.

Post your build date please

[tom @ eas]

Now that we've had quite a bit of field use with different BMW models, we were noticing that some vehicles simply were not accepting the programming from the autologic unit. Production dates seems to play a part in this, but we've have had a couple of MY08 M3s pass with no errors or flickering present.

As stated earlier in the thread, there are a particular number of modules targeted in the update with the most critical modules being the CAS and FRM - both of which store the vehicle order (VO).

Why were some vehicles accepting programming and others were not? Researching through notes has come up with a possible answer.

On a majority of early models, we noticed the Coding Index (CI) was very low. Here's an example of a 2010 M3 with a quick check of the Footwell Module:



This is a pre-qualification check on a 2010 model M3 which shows a coding index of 49 and a manufacture date of October 2009 within the footwell module (FRM3). Upon scoring records, this vehicle passes checks and is greenlighted to proceed with coding.

With the same pre-qualification check on a 2008 M3, we found a coding index of 9, (FRM2), not compatible for coding and must be replaced with a FRM3.



The Footwell module (as the name suggests) is located under the passenger side footwell, this controls the headlamps and majority of other satellite modules within the vehicle, including storing the vehicle order.

Replacing the FRM2 to a FRM3 and coding immediately corrected the issue.

Question: Does my BMW require a FRM3?
A: At this time, we are stating that BMWs with a production date of 8/09 or earlier will require a replacement FRM3. A pre-qualification check will determine if this is needed or not, we will update this post if this info changes in the near future. We have found that vehicles with a CI of as low as 31 are passing checks.

Question: How will I know if I need to purchase a FRM3 without a pre-inspection at my local autologic dealer?
A: It's not 100% certain at this time, but likely early models will require the updated FRM. While some early 2008 M3s have passed without updating - a number of possibilities could have taken place:

a. Alternate manufacturer used for FRM from BMW (the FRM3 pictured is manufactured by LEAR)
b. warranty replacement has previously taken place

Question: Can I purchase a used FRM3 module from eBay?
A: No, we do not recommend coding used modules as a number of other issues can arise.

Question: Will updating the FRM module allow compatibility?
A: No, the coding index seems to be what is preventing coding from taking place, confirming a hardware variation rather than software-based.

We will be logging more vehicles as they pass through the doors, while keeping a supply of FRM3 modules on hand just in case.

Thanks for reading, we have put a LOT of R&D into making this happen - so your support is appreciated.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Anup@Project 808

Post your build date please

His build date is 2/08.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

His build date is 2/08.

Tom, what build dates are you starting to see the cutoff for whether or not the coding gets accepted? Do you not have enough data to say yet?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by aajami

Tom, what build dates are you starting to see the cutoff for whether or not the coding gets accepted? Do you not have enough data to say yet?

Missed the most important question, I just updated the post.

At this time, we're stating that all 08-09 models will require the use of a FRM3, we'll update the thread if information proves otherwise.