DIY Carplay/Android Auto Carsara Install and Setup Tips

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by Andy_2424

Really? Would this be something I need to play around in the firmware then?

When I press up it goes to the next track and down plays the previous track, but I’ve gotten used to the BMW way of down is next track and up is previous.

I don't know what you mean by playing around in the firmware. Assume if you bought your unit in the last few months we're all on basically the same revision and the software settings are not accessible for this.

What car are you in? I see E90 in your description but is it an M3 with CIC? I think someone in the other thread reported this kind of an issue but they were in a CIC retrofit and it seemed like something pinned out differently from the 2008 car.

[bighindu79]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

I don't know what you mean by playing around in the firmware. Assume if you bought your unit in the last few months we're all on basically the same revision and the software settings are not accessible for this.

What car are you in? I see E90 in your description but is it an M3 with CIC? I think someone in the other thread reported this kind of an issue but they were in a CIC retrofit and it seemed like something pinned out differently from the 2008 car.

I've got a 2013 e93 M3 that came with CIC from the factory and I have the same behavior (steering wheel track skip button function reversed when in CarPlay). I just got used to it but if there is a setting that can make it the same as the native bmw system, then I'd be interested to find out as well.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by bighindu79

I've got a 2013 e93 M3 that came with CIC from the factory and I have the same behavior (steering wheel track skip button function reversed when in CarPlay). I just got used to it but if there is a setting that can make it the same as the native bmw system, then I'd be interested to find out as well.

Are your jumpers on 3/4/7 or just 3/4?

Wonder if that 7th jumper somehow impacts this since I've seen people using both configurations.

Could contact the seller on that one - could be a difference in software versions maybe.

[Andy_2424]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Are your jumpers on 3/4/7 or just 3/4?

Wonder if that 7th jumper somehow impacts this since I've seen people using both configurations.

Could contact the seller on that one - could be a difference in software versions maybe.

Mine is actually and E91 MY2012 with a 6.5” screen, but this was the only place I found good information about the Carsara box.

It’s connected to headunit CAN A - B and jumpers 4 and 7 are set.

[bighindu79]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Are your jumpers on 3/4/7 or just 3/4?

Wonder if that 7th jumper somehow impacts this since I've seen people using both configurations.

Could contact the seller on that one - could be a difference in software versions maybe.

I have 3,4 set to ON as described in the carsara instructions for my model year and screen size (8.8 inch)

[Andy_2424]

Originally Posted by bighindu79

I have 3,4 set to ON as described in the carsara instructions for my model year and screen size (8.8 inch)

So maybe not jumper related.
What firmware are you on?

Mine is:
SDK 25.0.0.5.6.0.0.0
Cust Version v3.1.0.2.gpe.c.hl
MCU 20.9.29.13
HW Version BMW_CICHL

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by Andy_2424

So maybe not jumper related.
What firmware are you on?

Mine is:
SDK 25.0.0.5.6.0.0.0
Cust Version v3.1.0.2.gpe.c.hl
MCU 20.9.29.13
HW Version BMW_CICHL

My firmware

[e92335drew]

Finally got my cable in from the seller.. everything worked first go thankfully. I already noticed a few things noted lately keeping in mind I’ve done no changes. The music quality seems good through the quad lock but I feel like I need to crank the volume. I noticed a hum in the audio signal when a song is just starting etc. Siri and maps are much louder. Moving from songs seemed to require a double tap of my up or down arrows on the wheel.

How do you get out of the phone display and into the box settings?

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by e92335drew

Finally got my cable in from the seller.. everything worked first go thankfully. I already noticed a few things noted lately keeping in mind I’ve done no changes. The music quality seems good through the quad lock but I feel like I need to crank the volume. I noticed a hum in the audio signal when a song is just starting etc. Siri and maps are much louder. Moving from songs seemed to require a double tap of my up or down arrows on the wheel.

How do you get out of the phone display and into the box settings?

Go to the CarPlay main menu and the BMW icon will bring you back to the carsara homepage.

[smokinjoe64]

If opting to use AUX, will a higher quality cable enhance audio quality?

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe64

If opting to use AUX, will a higher quality cable enhance audio quality?

The cable is not easily replaceable it is part of the CarPlay box wiring harness. Coding and using the quad lock is the preferred solution.

[rod.bearings]

Did anyone put in a front camera? Mine worked for a couple min but stopped for some reason. Am I suppose to connect the ground wire too? (I didn’t have to for my last kremer)

[akkando]

So is it better to turn up the AUX volume in the idrive or to turn up the Carsara volume? I figured I would match the volume to the radio but not sure which I should turn up to retain the best sound quality.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by akkando

So is it better to turn up the AUX volume in the idrive or to turn up the Carsara volume? I figured I would match the volume to the radio but not sure which I should turn up to retain the best sound quality.

I set the BMW aux to 50%, I think I left the carsara at 13 or whatever the default was then just adjust from there and I haven't had any obvious issues with the audio quality.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

I set the BMW aux to 50%, I think I left the carsara at 13 or whatever the default was then just adjust from there and I haven't had any obvious issues with the audio quality.

So you adjusted the Carsara volume from 13 to whatever you felt was the correct volume for you?

[alex-t9]

I just installed the Andreas version last night in my e90. I’m having bad screen flicker issues. It seems to flicker randomly and will also randomly jump back to the Idrive screen and exit the CarPlay screen. I tried disconnecting and reconnecting the LVDS connectors but that didn’t do anything. Anyone else experience this? I’ve reached out to Andream today but still waiting to hear.

[ppressle]

Hi all,
New here. Thanks.
I installed the carsera unit into a 2011 328i wagon with CIC.
dip switches 2,3,7
First option on the idrive wiring. (a - c and plug installed?)
no cameras
Everything works well EXCEPT
when I use the button on the steering wheel to do a voice command for SIRI, the command goes to BOTH the iphone and to the BMW computer.

I have the same unit in the 135i and that does not have this issue.

I sent email to the seller, but no reply yet. Has anyone come across this issue?

Thanks
Pete
2011 328it
2012 135i

[ppressle]

Originally Posted by ppressle

Hi all,

dip switches 2,3,7

Correction, dip switches 3,4,7 on. Also factory microphone if that matters.
pete

[e92335drew]

Has anyone dealt with electronic error messages after the install? Now that I've reinstalled my dash and reconnected the hazard switch, I was hoping that it would clear. However, it seems to stick in protool after clearing out my codes.

KOMBI - Cluster
E107 Raw Error: CAN BUS OFF

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by e92335drew

Has anyone dealt with electronic error messages after the install? Now that I've reinstalled my dash and reconnected the hazard switch, I was hoping that it would clear. However, it seems to stick in protool after clearing out my codes.

KOMBI - Cluster
E107 Raw Error: CAN BUS OFF

Are you using the iDrive cable to connect the controller?

Any obvious components not working correctly? If it's a Canbus error then I would question if there are any issues with the quadlock connection or iDrive connection.

[wahooooman]

My only worry with this unit compared to the Bimmertech is compatibility with future iPhones and softwares... Thoughts ?

[e92335drew]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Are you using the iDrive cable to connect the controller?

Any obvious components not working correctly? If it's a Canbus error then I would question if there are any issues with the quadlock connection or iDrive connection.

No I went without the iDrive cable connection as it was pointed out not needed. Did my first drive as the cars been parked as I'm working from home with the covid situation. Everything seems to work just fine, iDrive works fine etc... I just get this error on the iDrive and a couple lights on the dash from it.