Combox 4G retrofit

[DavidZ]

To those that have done the upgrade, did you already have an active subscription? I've read elsewhere that it's pretty much impossible to reactivate your subscription if you let it lapse while on 2G.

[740iSport]

After installing and programming my replacement Combox with 4G I was able to subscribe to the services without issue. To note, my subscriptions expired a couple of years ago too.

In other words, they are happy to take your money!

[Skifahrer]

Guys,

when you replace your combox and want to use ConnectedDrive Services (Remote Services etc. over Car SIM), then a BMW dealer must do an ECU change process! Otherwise your combox will not work in your car regarding CD Services. And you'll need a new combox. You can't buy one from a donor car.

Why? Because not only your VIN needs to be programmed in the combox (some can do this by there own) but the ICCID and IMEI (of the new combox) needs to be changed in the BMW Backend System for your VIN. Otherwise it will never work! If a Dealer uses ISTA/P (working and proved Dealer ID is necessary) and registers the change of the ECU, the new ICCID and IMEI will be transfered to the BMW Backend and be changed there.

[740iSport]

Originally Posted by Skifahrer

Guys,

when you replace your combox and want to use ConnectedDrive Services (Remote Services etc. over Car SIM), then a BMW dealer must do an ECU change process! Otherwise your combox will not work in your car regarding CD Services. And you'll need a new combox. You can't buy one from a donor car.

Why? Because not only your VIN needs to be programmed in the combox (some can do this by there own) but the ICCID and IMEI (of the new combox) needs to be changed in the BMW Backend System for your VIN. Otherwise it will never work! If a Dealer uses ISTA/P (working and proved Dealer ID is necessary) and registers the change of the ECU, the new ICCID and IMEI will be transfered to the BMW Backend and be changed there.

I think you're misinformed. I did mine all by myself and used a process in ISTA/P for the change! Dealer doesn't have to do that and no the "working and proved Dealer ID" isn't part of the equation. I purchased my ISTA+ software from Rheingold directly. The registration of the combox is no longer done in the "BMW backend". They stopped doing that nearly 2 years ago.

After I completed everything I called BMW Connect service informed them of the new IMEI and BOOM! It all works!

[Skifahrer]

Originally Posted by 740iSport

I think you're misinformed. I did mine all by myself and used a process in ISTA/P for the change! Dealer doesn't have to do that and no the "working and proved Dealer ID" isn't part of the equation. I purchased my ISTA+ software from Rheingold directly. The registration of the combox is no longer done in the "BMW backend". They stopped doing that nearly 2 years ago.

After I completed everything I called BMW Connect service informed them of the new IMEI and BOOM! It all works!

Interesting! You did that at an NA vehicle. ECE vehicles can only be changed with my descriped solution. Maybe third party dealer ISTA will work aswell. But BMW Connect service will never change an IMEI in ECE cars.

[DavidZ]

Excellent info guys

[6ixSpd]

Originally Posted by 740iSport

After installing and programming my replacement Combox with 4G I was able to subscribe to the services without issue. To note, my subscriptions expired a couple of years ago too.

In other words, they are happy to take your money!

Thanks for your valuable input!

What steps did you have to take to program it? I have ISTA D (not P) and NCS/Tool32/WinKFP, I'm wondering what is being programmed here so that maybe I can isolate the steps without the need for ISTA P.

I'm assuming the VIN needs to be syncd, along with default coding the new CMB. I wonder if Tool32 can pull up the IMEI...
edit: The IMEI is stamped on the combox itself.

[Merlin_83]

Originally Posted by 740iSport

After installing and programming my replacement Combox with 4G I was able to subscribe to the services without issue. To note, my subscriptions expired a couple of years ago too.

In other words, they are happy to take your money!

Can you please tell me where you purchased all items and what was required?

Also when you called BMW Connect, and provide the IMEI number did they ask for a credit card to extend or start access to the data?

Do you buy the 4G Combox from the dealer - sorry for likely dumb questions

[RayX5M]

Originally Posted by 740iSport

I think you're misinformed. I did mine all by myself and used a process in ISTA/P for the change! Dealer doesn't have to do that and no the "working and proved Dealer ID" isn't part of the equation. I purchased my ISTA+ software from Rheingold directly. The registration of the combox is no longer done in the "BMW backend". They stopped doing that nearly 2 years ago.

After I completed everything I called BMW Connect service informed them of the new IMEI and BOOM! It all works!

Did you do this in your E70 X5? Or a different car?

My X5 didn't have a combox from the factory. I just retrofitted a 2G, but I can't get any of the ConnectedDrive apps to work and the BMW Connected iPhone app won't accept my VIN. I get an "Adding Vehicle Failed" error. Any thoughts?

-ray

[DavidZ]

Originally Posted by RayX5M

I just retrofitted a 2G

Is that a typo? 2G was retired in 2016.

[RayX5M]

Originally Posted by DavidZ

Is that a typo? 2G was retired in 2016.

Not a typo. I bought a used 2G off eBay.

[slidewayscoupe]

To all who know a lot on this topic:

The dealership has caused a malfunction in my 2G combox (2011.5 E90). After a couple months of going around with them, they've spoken with BMW and offered to replace the combox with part number 84102447926 free of charge, all I would have to pay is for the labor, quoted at 2 hours.

My other option is to have these malfunctions coded out by a coder and just be done with it. I'm wondering if the 4G combox is worth the upgrade at all, or if I should just have these nuisance malfunctions coded out? The most apparent of which is that now I'm constantly greeted with an "SOS call malfunction" message on start-up.

TIA!

[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by slidewayscoupe

To all who know a lot on this topic:

The dealership has caused a malfunction in my 2G combox (2011.5 E90). After a couple months of going around with them, they've spoken with BMW and offered to replace the combox with part number 84102447926 free of charge, all I would have to pay is for the labor, quoted at 2 hours.

My other option is to have these malfunctions coded out by a coder and just be done with it. I'm wondering if the 4G combox is worth the upgrade at all, or if I should just have these nuisance malfunctions coded out? The most apparent of which is that now I'm constantly greeted with an "SOS call malfunction" message on start-up.

TIA!

84102447926 is a 4G combox.

[slidewayscoupe]

Originally Posted by Nickco43

84102447926 is a 4G combox.

I'm aware.

[Skifahrer]

Information on the side: For combox change you should tell BMW Assist, IMEI and ICCID. Both are located on the combox or you can use tool32 to read that information. NA cars only.

For ECE cars: Go to your local dealership and ask for an ECU change registration.

[willywi]

Originally Posted by 740iSport

After installing and programming my replacement Combox with 4G I was able to subscribe to the services without issue. To note, my subscriptions expired a couple of years ago too.

In other words, they are happy to take your money!

Hi, I'm trying to do upgrade my 2G combox to 4G combox on my F25 to get BMW connected app working. I contacted my local dealer they said they are not able to perform this retrofit so I want to upgrade this my self. Did you use a new combox or a used one? How did you manage to subscribe the service again?

Thanks

[frankc]

I also want to retrofit a 4G Telematics Combox into my 2011 M3. It is an April 2010 build, so it does not have an existing 2G Combox, but TCU/MULF. It does have Nav Pro (S609A), and I would like to confirm the HW I will need if I also want BMW Assist/Connected Drive services.

I have two questions.

1. For the Combox itself, RealOEM lists two 4G Combox part numbers: 84102447925 & 84102447926.

The part I'm a little confused about is the description for the two Comboxes:

84102447925:

• US 4G GPS
• Navigation system Professional S609A=No

84102447926:

• US 4G
• Navigation system Professional S609A=Yes

So it appears that if you have Navigation (S609A=Yes), then you get the Combox without GPS? This seems backwards, but that's why I'm checking as most folks seem to be installing 84102447926.

2. Regarding the wiring harnesses, this video

indicates that several harnesses are needed for the retrofit. Can someone list the adapter and extension harnesses needed?

If I search eBay, I can find the harness for the Media Combox: https://www.ebay.com/itm/BimmerTech-...c480%7Ciid%3A1

But what others do I need for the Telematics box?

Thanks

[DavidZ]

Originally Posted by frankc

I also want to retrofit a 4G Telematics Combox into my 2011 M3. It is an April 2010 build, so it does not have an existing 2G Combox, but TCU/MULF. It does have Nav Pro (S609A), and I would like to confirm the HW I will need if I also want BMW Assist/Connected Drive services.

I have two questions.

1. For the Combox itself, RealOEM lists two 4G Combox part numbers: 84102447925 & 84102447926.

The part I'm a little confused about is the description for the two Comboxes:

84102447925:

• US 4G GPS
• Navigation system Professional S609A=No

84102447926:

• US 4G
• Navigation system Professional S609A=Yes

So it appears that if you have Navigation (S609A=Yes), then you get the Combox without GPS? This seems backwards, but that's why I'm checking as most folks seem to be installing 84102447926.

2. Regarding the wiring harnesses, this video

indicates that several harnesses are needed for the retrofit. Can someone list the adapter and extension harnesses needed?

If I search eBay, I can find the harness for the Media Combox: https://www.ebay.com/itm/BimmerTech-...c480%7Ciid%3A1

But what others do I need for the Telematics box?

Thanks

I'm totally guessing here, but maybe 84102447925 has GPS built-in for the SOS services and the base stereo lacks any kind of navigation/GPS?

While 84102447926 doesn't have GPS because GPS is handled by S609A?

I want to re-enable SOS services with my base stereo so I think I need 84102447925.

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by frankc

I also want to retrofit a 4G Telematics Combox into my 2011 M3. It is an April 2010 build, so it does not have an existing 2G Combox, but TCU/MULF. It does have Nav Pro (S609A), and I would like to confirm the HW I will need if I also want BMW Assist/Connected Drive services.

I have two questions.

1. For the Combox itself, RealOEM lists two 4G Combox part numbers: 84102447925 & 84102447926.

The part I'm a little confused about is the description for the two Comboxes:

84102447925:

• US 4G [COLOR="Red"]GPS[/COLOR]
• Navigation system Professional S609A=[COLOR="red"]No[/COLOR]

84102447926:

• US 4G
• Navigation system Professional S609A=Yes

So it appears that if you have Navigation (S609A=Yes), then you get the Combox without GPS? This seems backwards, but that's why I'm checking as most folks seem to be installing 84102447926.

2. Regarding the wiring harnesses, this video

indicates that several harnesses are needed for the retrofit. Can someone list the adapter and extension harnesses needed?

If I search eBay, I can find the harness for the Media Combox: https://www.ebay.com/itm/BimmerTech-...c480%7Ciid%3A1

But what others do I need for the Telematics box?

Thanks

As far as the pins you only need the outer shell and it holds two wire clusters. You can slide the pins out by pressing the little tab on them and re insert them for combox pinouts. Then slide the two wire collectors into the new shell that fits the combox. Coding is pretty easy too. As far as which combox you should see the old 3g combox for your VIN and real OEM should show the superseding part based off that.

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by frankc

I also want to retrofit a 4G Telematics Combox into my 2011 M3. It is an April 2010 build, so it does not have an existing 2G Combox, but TCU/MULF. It does have Nav Pro (S609A), and I would like to confirm the HW I will need if I also want BMW Assist/Connected Drive services.

I have two questions.

1. For the Combox itself, RealOEM lists two 4G Combox part numbers: 84102447925 & 84102447926.

The part I'm a little confused about is the description for the two Comboxes:

84102447925:

• US 4G [COLOR="Red"]GPS[/COLOR]
• Navigation system Professional S609A=[COLOR="red"]No[/COLOR]

84102447926:

• US 4G
• Navigation system Professional S609A=Yes

So it appears that if you have Navigation (S609A=Yes), then you get the Combox without GPS? This seems backwards, but that's why I'm checking as most folks seem to be installing 84102447926.

2. Regarding the wiring harnesses, this video

indicates that several harnesses are needed for the retrofit. Can someone list the adapter and extension harnesses needed?

If I search eBay, I can find the harness for the Media Combox: https://www.ebay.com/itm/BimmerTech-...c480%7Ciid%3A1

But what others do I need for the Telematics box?

Thanks

You can add 2g or 4g in your case.

[frankc]

Thanks Scrippy . So it looks like 84102447926 is what I need.

Regarding the cabling, in the video I posted above it states that an extension cable is needed for the black connector (USB?) to mount the ComBox properly in the trunk. Does anyone have a description of that cable so I can search for it?

Btw, below are some of the related VOs my car has in case it is relevant (I'm still researching this).

S6AAA BMW TeleServices BMW TeleServices
S6ABA Steuerung Teleservices Control, Teleservices
S6FLA USB-/Audio-Schnittstelle USB/audio interface
S6NFA Musik-Schnittstelle für Smartphone Music interface for Smartphone
S6UHA Traffic Information Traffic Information
S609A Navigationssystem Professional Navigation system Professional
S615A Erweiterte BMW Online Information Extended BMW Online Information
S616A BMW Online BMW Online Search Search
S620A Spracheingabe Voice control
S639A Vorbereitung Handy komplett USA/CDN Preparation f mobile phone cpl. USA/CDN
S655A Satellitentuner Satellite tuner

[The-Traveler]

I have active COMBOX 2G subscription in Canada because Rogers/Bell haven't disconnected the 2G service when AT&T did it down south. Curious if you 4G combox guys were able to get real time traffic or other things coded like BMW Online or Internet which would have sucked on 2G box.