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

[tom @ eas]

The release of the 2011 LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) introduced some minor improvements to the vehicle. On the exterior side, most noticeably with the taillights. This DIY will give a quick overview for those to update their lighting to update the rear of their 07-10 3-series Coupe or Convertible to appear like the 2011 models.

An LCI Upgrade consists of inner/Outer taillamps, trunk lamps (4 total) and Plug and Play (PnP) harnesses.



Our example will be performed on a 2010 M3 Convertible, which is the last production year of the Pre-LCI lamps:

























On pre-LCI vehicles (>2011), there are a series of "checks" that are performed when the ignition is turned on.

Once of these processes is called "BulbCheck", which sends small voltage pulses to the various exterior lamps of the vehicle and expects a load on the circuit - which a stock halogen bulb would give. The voltage used is very small, not enough to light up the bulb - so it's never seen.

LEDs require very little voltage to operate, and can pick up these pulses - which is the "flickering" seen when the ignition is activated: BulbCheck in action. This also results in errors on the instrument cluster/iDrive screen since the vehicle thinks the bulbs are non-functional. Coding will tell the vehicle (4 different control modules) that LED lamps have been retrofitted and that BulbCheck isn't required in those specific fields any longer, allowing the vehicle to operate like normal.

Here's a quick video of the LCI taillamps in action to show the differences before coding and after coding is performed:



The LCI Taillamps are 100% functional after installation as seen in the component test, I want to make sure everyone is clear that the vehicle is not unsafe to drive if the end user has not yet had a chance to get the vehicle coded.

Do keep in mind that coding is required for a proper installation and targets correcting the bulb-out indicators on the instrument cluster/iDrive as well as pre-ignition flickering upon startup. This will also ensure that no future errors are present if the vehicle should ever visit the dealer for other service updates or maintenance work.

The following modules are coded:

Car Access System (CAS)
Junction Box Electronics (JBE)
Footwell Module (FRM)
Instrument Cluster

BulbCheck is removed for only the lamps that were replaced by LEDs, all other monitoring systems are kept in place.

A LOT of work has gone into making sure this was performed correctly - even providing log sessions of 16 different vehicles, including making a trip to the dealership to scan vehicles with pre-equipped LCI builds in log comparisons.

Coding will also allow the vehicle to pass all verification and safety checks, as well as not provide any issues if the vehicle is ever brought in for service - since we are using original BMW parts and proper coding has taken place, rather than attempting to "band-aid" the situation with add-on resistors (which are dangerous).

Here are some shots of the FRM2/FRM3 location underneath the driver's side footwell:



You do not need to upgrade to FRM3 for LCI Coding!For those looking to inspect what type of FRM they have, the part label will have either FRM2 or FRM3 displayed, we have the ability to code either FRM2 or FRM3 modules:



Thanks for reading, feel free to respond with any questions - with the intention of keeping this a technical-specific thread.

[Powerbeast]

Thats one nice M3 and lights... Who's car is that?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Powerbeast

Thats one nice M3 and lights... Who's car is that?

You sir, have one awesome M3. About to get even better from what we talked about today.

[duk]

man u guys rock! this upgrade is mandatory!!

[SIIK2NR]

Where can I get the coding done? Any dealership? Can I bring my car to your shop?

[RJM3]

it looks good ! can any shop with autologic program it?

[powertrip]

Looks great Tom . I'm going to cruise by in the next week or two to have these installed. Can you PM the pricing?

Powerbeast, your car is looking really clean....HRE, Brembo, Arkym, .

[RandyB]

Those look great! Does the pre-LCI harness just plug into the new lights or is there an adapter that goes between the factory plug and the new taillight? Is there a place to get the coding done in DFW Texas?

Great work!

[Martin_D]

Great work guys - keep it up!

[M3Captain]

OK so the new e90's also have these taillights. How come there is no retrofit for pre-LCI e90's?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by SIIK2NR

Where can I get the coding done? Any dealership? Can I bring my car to your shop?

Dealership do not yet have this specific retrofit path, it will likely be released when the BlackLines hit the market. We can perform coding in-house.

Originally Posted by RJM3

it looks good ! can any shop with autologic program it?

Correct - as long as they have a complete understanding of CIP programming, which most autologic shops do.

Originally Posted by powertrip

Looks great Tom . I'm going to cruise by in the next week or two to have these installed. Can you PM the pricing?

Powerbeast, your car is looking really clean....HRE, Brembo, Arkym, .

Powerbeast has a very well equipped M3.

Originally Posted by RandyB

Those look great! Does the pre-LCI harness just plug into the new lights or is there an adapter that goes between the factory plug and the new taillight? Is there a place to get the coding done in DFW Texas?

Great work!

The connections are different on the new lamps, a PnP harness is required so no splicing is needed.

Originally Posted by M3Captain

OK so the new e90's also have these taillights. How come there is no retrofit for pre-LCI e90's?

There's good news and bad news on the Sedan LCI path.

Good news: No PnP harness is required
Bad news: A post-LCI trunk is also needed due to the new shape of the taillamps.

Coding is still required for proper operation.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Just wondering IF for some reason the owner wanted to reinstall the original non led lights, would the vehicle need to be coded again?

[A1 RDL]

Why didnt you guys mention the dash code faults before. I bought the PNP harness from you and the tail lights from my dealer now I read this and there is no local autologic shops. Now what am i meant to do?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

Just wondering IF for some reason the owner wanted to reinstall the original non led lights, would the vehicle need to be coded again?

This was taken into account as well, the old lamps can be reinstalled without any issues.

Originally Posted by A1 RDL

Why didnt you guys mention the dash code faults before. I bought the PNP harness from you and the tail lights from my dealer now I read this and there is no local autologic shops. Now what am i meant to do?

It's actually been mentioned quite a few times while development was being performed - each step and results were explained along the way. Please PM me your full name so I can locate a technician in your area and get you coded up.

[A1 RDL]

I sent you three PM's yesterday and told me that you knew of no techs in Orlando and to check the autologic website myself. Unless I am mistaken I only read that there would be bulb check flickering. I never read anything about dash faults.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by A1 RDL

I sent you three PM's yesterday and told me that you knew of no techs in Orlando and to check the autologic website myself. Unless I am mistaken I only read that there would be bulb check flickering. I never read anything about dash faults.

Here's the thread in reference: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=372215&page=2. We start on Post #33, there you can see the project from beginning to end as it was happening - including every step and notes that were taken.

Have you called autologic to see if there is a technician in your area that can assist?

[A1 RDL]

I dont read e90post since i have an E92. The post you posted on M3Post was this - http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=382162 and on this you edited post #1 to read "Edit: Coding from an independent with an Autologic programmer will be required to fully remove disable BulbCheck. Coding has been completed, let me know if you need in-house coding from us or would like us to direct you to a local. Lighting assemblies and PnP harness are not returnable."
This doesnt mention faults on the dash, only that we would have flickering. And you edited that the PNP and lights are not returnable after this post was written.

[chris s]

So these can't be coded at the dealer?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by A1 RDL

I dont read e90post since i have an E92. The post you posted on M3Post was this - http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=382162 and on this you edited post #1 to read "Edit: Coding from an independent with an Autologic programmer will be required to fully remove disable BulbCheck. Coding has been completed, let me know if you need in-house coding from us or would like us to direct you to a local. Lighting assemblies and PnP harness are not returnable."
This doesnt mention faults on the dash, only that we would have flickering. And you edited that the PNP and lights are not returnable after this post was written.

You still need to contact autologic for someone in your area since you are not local to our shop. I have been very clear that the lamps would need coding, even before the project started. If you were local - this would be taken care of in less than 20 minutes. Unfortunately since you're in FL - this isn't the case.

I also want to touch on your last statement, since it implies we are dishonest. We never "edited" a page after your purchase was made - this was standard policy from the beginning on this item.

However as stated before: you still require coding for proper operation of the lamps - this is a move you need to make in order to get the situation resolved. If your technician should have questions prior to coding - I am here to help.

If you should have any further questions or concerns or feel the need to vent - please PM or email me directly. Please understand I am on your side and do not have an agenda to ruin your weekend.

Originally Posted by chris s

So these can't be coded at the dealer?

BMW dealers do not have access to the proper procedures to make this work. This may change with the release of the BlackLines if LED-based.

[SECRET M]

what are blacklines?

[RandyB]

Tom,

Could you please post some images of the wiring harness piece that you have made? Great product!

Thanks!

[montreal red]

Originally Posted by RandyB

Tom,

Could you please post some images of the wiring harness piece that you have made? Great product!

Thanks!

+1
i would like to see the how the wiring harness looks like and where you placed it.