Problems with i-Drive controller retrofit

[Technic]

Originally Posted by mdrobc13

Hey Lugnut...how about posting a DIY on how to remove the center console for those of us who still have to remove theirs and are less so inclined! Pics too would be nice. It would be helpful.

Hope your car gets sorted out. Mine is a late May 2008 build so I think I am safe from the tcdma issue.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=277690

[lugnut]

Originally Posted by mdrobc13

Hey Lugnut...how about posting a DIY on how to remove the center console for those of us who still have to remove theirs and are less so inclined! Pics too would be nice. It would be helpful.

Hope your car gets sorted out. Mine is a late May 2008 build so I think I am safe from the tcdma issue.

It's actually surprisingly easy if you follow the link Technic posted. You just pull up the front of the shift boot (both DCT and 6spd are removed the same), then pull up on the underside of the center console with your fingers.

[mrtm2008]

I am who Technic was gonna swap his controller in since I have a 4/08 production date E90 M3. Sorry Technic for not getting in touch with you, been VERY busy with the baby girl and family trips! Anyway, supposedly I will be getting my controller & console piece sometime this month (as I just got a message telling me so), but I'll cross my fingers anyway!

I also just made an order on Tischer, so I'm thinking of cancelling that order (since I finally got a response from United BMW) and sell it to a member for cost when it gets in.

[lugnut]

Thanks for being the first to swap the TCU PG. I was looking into this, but of course the dealership was convinced that even with a recode it wouldn't work. Seeing as how they were really accomodating to me when I needed a recode to attempt the controller swap I didn't want to push my luck.

If this does work, I imagine a full idrive retrofit [i]may[i] actually be possible, albeit at some cost. Can't wait to read about your results.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

Today I picked up the 09 Telematics unit and plugged it in my 02/08 build MY08 M3. I already knew it wouldn't work without recoding. But here's something I noticed. The CDMA telematics unit has coding index 08, and the GSM telematics unit has coding index 16.

The 08 index may be suspect because I'm too lazy to go downstairs and grab the computer with the diagnostics software on it. But I distinctly remember the GSM unit has index 16 -- and it does not conflict with coding indices from any other unit in the car.

Is this GSM TCU used or remanufactured? What diagnostic software is that?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

The TCU is brand new. I have the Bavarian Technic software.

Thanks... if the TCU was used there is the possibility that at least the Bluetooth section could have been active already.

[STALKER]

So any solutions for us with early build dates? My build date is 01/08.
Thanks for all the info and work so far gents.

[roycemek]

Where exactly is the telematics unit installed and how easy is it to get to? If possible could you snap a couple pics of the label on the GSM and CDMA telematics unit. Is it easy to tell from the label which telematics unit you have?

What is the meaning of the codeing index you referenced above? Just curious how this stuff all works.

Thanks,
Royce M

[Technic]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

It will be modified to allow for input of either the ESN or the IMEI, as applicable.

Although this is the most crucial part of the swap, the dealer still have to make the P/N of this GSM TCU part of your Vehicle Order to allow the DCSnet input of that IMEI in the first place. The very good news is that it seems that your current VO recognized and communicated with that GSM TCU somehow, just because the Bavarian Technic software actually read its information.

Otherwise you could not have been able to know its index number.

What is the date of the Reactivation of Telematics Control Unit document? It looks to me that it is only applicable for CDMA TCU (prior to 03/08 production).

[Technic]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

SI B84 01 09
Communication Systems
April 2009

Interesting... Verizon handles GSM comunications now. Have you tried that procedure (making the two calls by pressing the buttons)?

[q96]

Does this concern only US cars or is it also true on europeen cars ?

I have tried the new LCI controller version 9189048 on my 02/08 e91 and nothing was working !!

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 10 05 dated Aril 2008.

SUBJECT
TCU ESN/IMEI Registration via DCSnet



ESN (Electronic Serial Number)

All models with a CDMA Telematics Control Unit (TCU):

• MY2004 to MY 2008 (through 2/08 production) E60, E61, E63 and E64, including M5 and M6
• MY2004 and later E46 M3 Convertibles and E53 4.8iS
• MY2003 and later E65 and E66 (from 9/02 production)
• MY2004 and later E53, E83, E85 and E46 with the ZPP Premium Package or stand-alone option SA 639 (as of 9/03 production); 10/04 production for E53 and E85
• MY2007 and later E70 with the ZPP Premium Package or stand alone option SA 639 (through 3/08 production)
• MY2008 E71 with the ZPP Premium Package or stand alone option SA 639 (through 3/08 production)
• MY2008 E82 and E88 with the ZPP Premium Package or stand alone option SA 639 (through 2/08 production)
• MY2006 to MY2008 E90, E91, E92, E93 and M3 with the ZPP Premium Package or stand-alone option SA 639 (through 2/08 production, except through 3/08 for SA production)

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)

All Models with a GSM Telematics Control Unit (TCU):

• MY2008 (effective 3/08 production) and later E60, E61, E63 and E64, including M5 and M6
• MY2008 and later E70 and E71 with the ZPP Premium Package or stand alone option SA 639 (effective 4/08 production)
• MY2008 and later E82 and E88 with the ZPP Premium Package or stand-alone option SA 639 (effective 3/08 production)
• MY2008 and later E90/91/92/93 and M3 with the ZPP Premium Package or stand-alone option SA 639 (effective 3/08 production, except 4/08 for SA production)
• MY2009 and later F01

SITUATION
Model year 2008 and later vehicles produced 3/08 or later (4/08 for E9x SA, E70 and E71), except for the E65, E83 and E85, will operate on a GSM wireless carrier network, migrating from the current CDMA technology. This change requires a new identifier for the GSM TCUs, known as the IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, instead of the ESN or Electronic Serial Number, as used on the CDMA TCUs.

The registration of the ESN or IMEI for the new Telematics Control Unit is required during the DCSnet warranty claim entry process. The ESN field is renamed; it was called "New Electronic Serial Number (ESN)" and is now called "New Electronic Serial Number: ESN/IMEI". It will be modified to allow for input of either the ESN or the IMEI, as applicable.

This bulletin and the attached Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) should address any issues that you may have about the new process. Please read this information, and circulate it to all personnel at your center involved in TCU repairs and claim submission.

TCU Service Actions (SI B84 18 03, B84 19 03, B84 01 04)

Continue to use normal warranty claim entry following all of the repair and claim submission instructions contained in the above bulletins.


ATTACHMENTS
view PDF attachment B011005FAQ.

[q96]

you are right, but as far as i understood, there was an hypothesis that the new i drive controller works as retrofit only on cars that have recent tcu. In fact I have an european car and so an european TCU (probably with gsm) and the 048 does not work.

So either i have a tcu like said in the technical bulletin and it's normal that it didn't work or the hypothesis based on the tcu is not the right one ?

By the way, did anybody try to make unplug the tcu in a car and test the new idrive controller (for the one for who it does not work ?)

[Technic]

Originally Posted by q96

you are right, but as far as i understood, there was an hypothesis that the new i drive controller works as retrofit only on cars that have recent tcu. In fact I have an european car and so an european TCU (probably with gsm) and the 048 does not work.

So either i have a tcu like said in the technical bulletin and it's normal that it didn't work or the hypothesis based on the tcu is not the right one ?

By the way, did anybody try to make unplug the tcu in a car and test the new idrive controller (for the one for who it does not work ?)

It could be possible that the hypothesis is not correct. However, to make matters more complicated, in this same thread there is an Australian 09/07 production E92 M3 with a GSM TCU installed from factory that the new iDrive controller worked with his old iDrive: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...7&postcount=25

One thing, though... this M3 was also updated to a newer software in 10/08.

I think that it could be possibly a combination of GSM TCU and a software update, as there are also members here with the latest update but with a CDMA TCU and still the new controller does not work. Your production date of 02/08 could have an older software than that 10/08 version loaded in that M3.

You should try to get your software updated if there is a newer version and see if that eliminates another variable of this confusing issue.

[q96]

I planned to get a software update (on the 8 of september).
I'll keep you informed..

[MuchMoore]

Does anyone need a 09 DCT/iDrive center console trim?

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

Here's some good news for older MY owners. I have an 02/2008 build, and the new controller works perfectly. No TCU upgrade required. I have the older CDMA TCU. The entire installation took 35 minutes from start to finish.

I tested all of the buttons and rotation functions. It all works perfectly. This means it is possible for older MY owners to upgrade to the new iDrive controller.

M3Post user 'lugnut' reported that he was unable to use the new controller in his 02-2008 build -- and that was supposedly including a software update and vehicle recoding. My guess is that the dealer screwed up during the software update. I know my car had a full SW update 4 months ago from the dealer.

Regardless, we now have positive confirmation that the new iDrive controller will work on a pre 02-2008 built vehicle with the CDMA TCU. I hope this is good news for all of the people who want to do this upgrade...just go to your dealer and insist on the latest software updates for your car.

BTW, I have the -309 controller if anybody needs to know.

This is indeed excellent news.

[mdrobc13]

Had mine installed during my annual service appt on Fri. Took em 1/2 and works like a charm. Very Very nice. I am impressed and very content. Wish only that they would have given us the option of the new i-drive ECU and Nav as a retrofit! But works alot better!

[irdoc]

Great work everyone! Thanks for all the hard work and great follow-up. One, question - what did you specifically ask for at the dealer? A software update? What were your exact words? I just want to avoid having the same problem that lugnut had. Thanks again!

[mrtm2008]

Unfortunately if you haven't ordered these parts yet, doesn't look like you'll be able to

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...&postcount=104

[lugnut]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

Here's some good news for older MY owners. I have an 02/2008 build, and the new controller works perfectly. No TCU upgrade required. I have the older CDMA TCU. The entire installation took 35 minutes from start to finish.

I tested all of the buttons and rotation functions. It all works perfectly. This means it is possible for older MY owners to upgrade to the new iDrive controller.

M3Post user 'lugnut' reported that he was unable to use the new controller in his 02-2008 build -- and that was supposedly including a software update and vehicle recoding. My guess is that the dealer screwed up during the software update. I know my car had a full SW update 4 months ago from the dealer.

Regardless, we now have positive confirmation that the new iDrive controller will work on a pre 02-2008 built vehicle with the CDMA TCU. I hope this is good news for all of the people who want to do this upgrade...just go to your dealer and insist on the latest software updates for your car.

BTW, I have the -309 controller if anybody needs to know.

Well color me surprised. I still can't either either my -311 or my -309 controller to work with my 2/08 E92. I am really at a loss as to what the problem may be. So all you did was unplug your old knob, and plug the new controller unit in, and it all worked?

How would I test to see what software version I am running as opposed to what you are running PG? I can't believe that the dealership messed up a software update multiple times (twice after I installed -311 and once prior to the install at my 15k service).

[lugnut]

Thanks PG, I'll order one of those from Bev Technic.

From what AussieM3's posted in the other link it sounds like the mistake I made was dropping my vehicle off for the recode with the new controller already installed, so once the car saw that I had an inappropriate part (no pun intended) the software update didn't finish installing properly, so essentially I never really got the software update that I needed. Ill have them re-update it with the original controller installed next time I take the car in for an oil change, then give the controller swap another go at it.

[aussiem3]

This is how the BMW system reads and identifies the modules fitted to the car. This is only the second page and you can see the new and old part numbers.