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      10-22-2013, 07:28 PM   #1
vastano
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Does the TPMS RDC antenna need recoding upon replacement?

I've been having issues with my TPMS so I took it to the dealer today to have it diagnosed. It came back that the RDC unit is bad. The tech told me that any time a 'control unit' goes bad, it requires recoding the car. He made it sound like the whole car had to be reflashed, said it would take 1.5 hours of labor. The part plus labor would've cost $357.

Anyhow, does anyone know if it does have to be coded? Id obviously rather just get the part and replace it myself if thats the case.

TIA!
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      10-23-2013, 08:45 AM   #2
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I am not expert in electronic matters the same way I am in tire matters, so just take this as one enthusiast's opinion.

In favor of your dealer:
It is not incredible that there would have to be some sort of electronic hand-shakery between the new 'control unit' and the vehicle. 1.5 hours of labor to remove and install the part and perform whatever electronic rain dance is needed to propitiate the TPMS gods is believable. Probably padded a little bit, but I wouldn't be shocked if that was the by-the-book quote for the job.

Against the dealer:
Re-flashing the whole car sounds overblown. If it sounded to you like he was giving you a line of BS, I would take it to an independent mechanic who is a BMW specialist, and get a second opinion. Even if the dealer is accurate in his description of the time required, you may find that the independent shop gives you a better price.

If you do go the independent route, let me emphasize that it is worth your time and money to seek out a shop that specializes in BMWs. Doesn't have to be exclusively BMW, a shop can usually be expert in several different marques, so if it's Mercedes, Porsche, and BMW for example that's fine. But don't take it to Joe's Gas Station and expect to get an expert opinion on a question like this.

If you're thinking about doing it yourself, get your hands on a Bentley repair manual.
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      10-24-2013, 10:11 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ben@tirerack View Post
I am not expert in electronic matters the same way I am in tire matters, so just take this as one enthusiast's opinion.

In favor of your dealer:
It is not incredible that there would have to be some sort of electronic hand-shakery between the new 'control unit' and the vehicle. 1.5 hours of labor to remove and install the part and perform whatever electronic rain dance is needed to propitiate the TPMS gods is believable. Probably padded a little bit, but I wouldn't be shocked if that was the by-the-book quote for the job.

Against the dealer:
Re-flashing the whole car sounds overblown. If it sounded to you like he was giving you a line of BS, I would take it to an independent mechanic who is a BMW specialist, and get a second opinion. Even if the dealer is accurate in his description of the time required, you may find that the independent shop gives you a better price.

If you do go the independent route, let me emphasize that it is worth your time and money to seek out a shop that specializes in BMWs. Doesn't have to be exclusively BMW, a shop can usually be expert in several different marques, so if it's Mercedes, Porsche, and BMW for example that's fine. But don't take it to Joe's Gas Station and expect to get an expert opinion on a question like this.

If you're thinking about doing it yourself, get your hands on a Bentley repair manual.
Thanks for the advice! Replacing the RDC module is very easy. The tech did it in literally 2-3 mins. I think I'm gonna order the part, plug it in and just see if it works. Regardless, even if it doesn't work, I'm going to have to buy it anyhow to have it 'coded'.
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      10-24-2013, 10:25 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vastano View Post
Thanks for the advice! Replacing the RDC module is very easy. The tech did it in literally 2-3 mins. I think I'm gonna order the part, plug it in and just see if it works. Regardless, even if it doesn't work, I'm going to have to buy it anyhow to have it 'coded'.
How about you try to DIY, then clear the codes via BT? Worth a shot before getting it coded.

Note, people also said that the throttle actuator has to be reset at the stealership and that is not the case.
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      10-30-2013, 01:11 PM   #5
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I am happy to report that simply replacing the TPMS antenna was all it took to get my error to go away. No getting coded from the dealer. Hell, I didn't even have to hit the reset through iDrive or the center button, it just went away on its own.

BTW, if anyone in the future runs into this issue, the codes the BT tool was giving me was:

604E
Error:Tire Pressure Control-system
Error will cause a warning light
Error is currently present
Test conditions have been completed

6059
Error: Wheel electronic undefined
Error will cause a warning light
Error is currently present
Test conditions have been completed
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      10-30-2013, 03:27 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vastano View Post
I am happy to report that simply replacing the TPMS antenna was all it took to get my error to go away. No getting coded from the dealer. Hell, I didn't even have to hit the reset through iDrive or the center button, it just went away on its own.

BTW, if anyone in the future runs into this issue, the codes the BT tool was giving me was:

604E
Error:Tire Pressure Control-system
Error will cause a warning light
Error is currently present
Test conditions have been completed

6059
Error: Wheel electronic undefined
Error will cause a warning light
Error is currently present
Test conditions have been completed
Nice! Thanks for posting the resolution.
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      11-01-2013, 06:43 AM   #7
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Well, I thought it was solved...24 hours later the same error came up.

I'm running Beru sensors right now. I'm going to get a set of OEM sensors to swap in there and hopefully that'll solve it. Since its a newer car with the simpler system (just sensors and antenna unit), it has to be one of the sensors.
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      11-01-2013, 09:01 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vastano View Post
Well, I thought it was solved...24 hours later the same error came up.

I'm running Beru sensors right now. I'm going to get a set of OEM sensors to swap in there and hopefully that'll solve it. Since its a newer car with the simpler system (just sensors and antenna unit), it has to be one of the sensors.
Or maybe there was some reprogramming needed after all and the BMW tech was telling the truth?

Beru is the Original Equiment Manufacturer so I doubt those are causing the issue.

From your other thread I see that this was the issue that appeared after you had a puncture, so if you are replacing sensors I would start with the one in that wheel, just on the chance that it was somehow damaged.
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      11-01-2013, 11:38 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ben@tirerack View Post
Or maybe there was some reprogramming needed after all and the BMW tech was telling the truth?

Beru is the Original Equiment Manufacturer so I doubt those are causing the issue.

From your other thread I see that this was the issue that appeared after you had a puncture, so if you are replacing sensors I would start with the one in that wheel, just on the chance that it was somehow damaged.
The tech told me none of the sensors were showing an error in their system which is why he suggestion the antenna. The BMW tool had no way of telling what exactly was wrong with the car. So based off his educated guess, I went ahead and replaced the antenna.

I'm going to run the BT tool again and see if I get the same errors on it. I'm sure they will be.
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      11-01-2013, 03:33 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vastano View Post
The tech told me none of the sensors were showing an error in their system which is why he suggestion the antenna. The BMW tool had no way of telling what exactly was wrong with the car. So based off his educated guess, I went ahead and replaced the antenna.

I'm going to run the BT tool again and see if I get the same errors on it. I'm sure they will be.
Good idea to run the BT tool again and see what it says.

My thought was, if the antenna really was bad, but what the BMW guy told you about needing some sort of reflash when it was replaced was also true, you might very well throw the same codes for a replaced-but-not-reflashed-antenna as you would for a bad antenna.
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      04-04-2014, 10:18 AM   #11
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So I'm gonna bump this because the TPMS light finally got on my nerves.

Since this thread, I replaced the antenna and the TPMS sensor that was in the 'nailed' tire. Still was getting the TPMS error.

Fast forward to last Thursday (8 days ago), I take my car to the dealer for a few problems, this being one of them. They took care of the other 2 problems and started on the TPMS issue. Turns out the TPMS module (software) needs to be reprogrammed, exactly what I thought would need to happen. However, they cant program just 1 module, they have to re-install all the modules. When they attempt to reprogram everything, the phone/bluetooth module halts the installation process. Note, I never once had a problem with my phone/bluetooth system. Now my SA calls and tells me that they need to replace the phone/BT module in the trunk and hope that fixes the issue so they can reprogram everything.

This is more of a rant than anything, mainly because I havent driven my car in over a week. I have a third party extended warranty so i'm only paying $100 out of pocket. I was just curious if anyone else had heard of such.
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      04-07-2014, 07:19 AM   #12
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What a mess. Sorry to hear of the problems. I hope they manage to get it resolved.
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      04-14-2014, 01:54 PM   #13
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Vastano was your issue resolved? I'm having similar issues as well. My entire TPMS goes offline while driving at low or high speed. It's been so annoying where I would have to pull over, reset the system, and drive off to establish the communication again. I was on a 5 hour road trip this past weekend and it literally went offline 6 times throughout the duration of the trip. Definitely taking it to the dealership for a closer look.
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      04-15-2014, 01:09 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Enforcer View Post
Vastano was your issue resolved? I'm having similar issues as well. My entire TPMS goes offline while driving at low or high speed. It's been so annoying where I would have to pull over, reset the system, and drive off to establish the communication again. I was on a 5 hour road trip this past weekend and it literally went offline 6 times throughout the duration of the trip. Definitely taking it to the dealership for a closer look.
Long story short, the software needs to be reinstalled. Since I have a bimmertech 'aftermarket' combox installed, they couldnt fix my issue. I'm going to have my light coded off. I know what im saying doesnt make sense, but I dont think my dealer is very swift.
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      04-16-2014, 07:53 PM   #15
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Thanks for the update. I'm bringing my car in tomorrow to the dealer tomorrow, keep you posted.
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      04-26-2014, 07:05 PM   #16
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That's weird. I've read many threads that state you don't have to reprogram sensors when you change your tires...
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      06-28-2015, 12:11 PM   #17
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I had the same TPMS Inactive issued with my 2011. The dealer was able to fix it, but not without a bit of hassle. Here's what's on the repair order:
"Customer states TPMS light is on as inactive. Customer states electrical malfunction warning light has come on multiple times when TPMS warning started coming on and now just TPMS inactive is on.
Malfunctioning RDC unit.
Hooked up charger, checked faults. Has lots of K can faults and no communication to RDC unit. Removed rear under belly shields and check for power and ground at RDC unit. Had both and K-Can OK. Needs RDC unit. Replaced unit and programmed car. Programming crashed and had to program 3 times. Remove radio and get part number and do a battery reset and then the programming went through. All good now."

It is all good now, and the car is on the CPO warranty and only cost $35. It also fixed the UBS issue where it no longer recognized my iPod.
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      10-14-2015, 12:35 PM   #18
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This sounds expensive, seeing as my warranty is now expired....
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      10-14-2015, 01:29 PM   #19
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I have a TPMS issue on my 08M3. Tire shop checked and one wheel sensor did not put out to tire shop scanner. Installed new correct sensor for my year. All wheel sensors put out. Still TPMS did not work. Replaced the antenna at that corner. Still TPMS does not work.

I figure a recoding of sorts is needed.
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      12-03-2015, 12:00 PM   #20
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replacing the antenna means youll need new software installed at the dealer. I hope you didnt throw your old antenna out just in case...
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      06-16-2018, 11:43 PM   #21
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DIY RDC/TPMS Control Unit Reset instructions for 2011 BMW E90 using NCSExpert:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...9#post23338239
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