Voice command on X3 Bluetooth
 

Hi All,

I have an 04 x3 with bluetooth but the ulf (pt no 84 11 6 946 993) does not come with voice command, I was told this is something I may be able to activate myself by making minor changes to the wiring, has anyone done this and got a result.

If I have to change the ulf does anyone know if the pt no 84 21 6 955 522 will work, someone said it is the 6th Gen BLUETOOTH ULF MODULE fot the E38 E39 E46 E53 MINI but not the X3, what is the difference.

Cheers,

Jon

I have been looking into this as I am quite annoyed that my 04 X3 is not VR enabled.

I had BT retrofitted to my 330i, and used the VR quite a bit to dial numbers - it's safer than fannying around with the nav screen.

My X3 is in at the dealers having an electrical (battery drain) issue sorted. I have asked them to check why VR isn't working - I expect them to say it's because SA620 wasn't ordered with the car.

I have seen various posts saying that it is to do with central coding, others saying that an uncoded ULF mit SES module will work - others saying that the car won't allow an uncodedmodule to work etc etc.

If anyone has an answer, then that would be excellent.

I wondered if the navcoder software by kiwijochen can code the SES?

I think perhaps a lobby to BMW on a 'safety' issue may get them to release a retrofit option for coding the VR ... I'd pay say £100 to have it activated .... if all it is, is coding, then what is the REAL cost to BMW?

In the UK factory supplied ULF's come with VR deactivated in the software - believed to be central as well as module ULF coding since retrofitted "uncoded" ULF's don't always activate VR in X3's

To activate it you need to ask a dealer to perform the module coding change. I had this done for free at a UK dealer (Sytner in Ascot) but could not obtain the coding command - would be great to add to Kiwijochen's navcoder.

Your are correct - the ULF must have "MIT SES" written on the label to signify VR hardware.

For GB language, VR "help" does not mention Sat Nav commands although these are present and do work. Also, GB VR does not support miles/yards - only KM and M.

In the US, VR does not appear to be disabled, so new uncoded ULF's offer VR when retrofitted.

Usual case of UK consumers being ripped off by BMW simply because we choose to drive on the correct side of the road ...

Search for NavCoder on this forum. That utility can enable VR in your ULF.

Wow - what version is this in ? Not in 2.1.1

Hi again David,

So, are you saying that in an X3 which has VR factory disabled, your dealer was able to code the ULF and Central to activate it? If that is the case, then that is quite encouraging as I have a feeling when I go to collect on Saturday, I will be told "there is no VR facility on the X3"!

Interesting to know what version of NavCoder has the VR coding as the version I have (yet to try out as am not sure where to tap into on the car) doesn't have the option.

Yes, Sytner BMW Ascot coded VR on my 2006 X3 in Nov last year. I have a generation 6 ULF with SES that now has SA620. I had been pestering them for a while to do this and was prepared to pay but they kept saying it would involve a complete vehicle coding since no retrofit option was available. Whether this appeared in a software update or I just got lucky and found a tech who knew what he was doing, I'll never know. From posts on bimmeboard it sounds like Kiwijochen may have cracked the code, so as Brian says, we'll soon be able to code it oursleves.

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/view...7872&highlight=

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/view...3741&highlight=


I don't think it's released yet. Tap into the CD changer connector under the central console storage bin.

Hi David,

Thanks for the reply. Have been away on holiday & X3 has been at the dealers sorting out a few post-delivery 'issues'!

I am getting the 'cannot be done' story from them with the VR - as the car wasn't built with SA620 at the factory - evidently I need additional hardware (a VR module!!!!) at about £500 to get it to work.

Anyway, when I get the car back on Monday and find a way to link the i-bus interface in without ripping the car to bits, I will see if Jochen's new navcoder will enable it.

Failing that, it may be worth me taking a trip to Sytner Ascot ...

M.

I can only speak about what I have done.

I retrofitted OEM BT (e46) and bought a ULF mit SES (3rd GEN), however VR was not factory enabled, I already had the i-bus interface (self built) and with Jochen's navcoder, I enabled the VR part of the ULF.

Also my mate also had a ULF (without SES), and we tried navcoder on that and it enabled VR on his also.

SO I know that you can enable SES (VR) on a mit SES and a non SES ULF.

Jochen's Navcoder is a very good peice of kit.

That sounds promising - collected the car this pm and was told by the service manager that there was 'no way'my car would work with VR without the VR module added!

So, will have a go with Navcoder now I have the car back - just got to find a good point to tap into the i-bus that doesn't mean ripping the car to bits - unfortunately(!) I have a CD changer so I cannot easily get at the i-bus port for the changer under the arm rest - think I will haul the Mk4 out and tap in there.

How has everyone tapped in? Using a 'Scotchlock' type thing (the type that breaks into the cable) or just poking wires into the correct connector? Wouldn't mind a semi-permanent solution - perhaps installing the Resler interface into the car somewhere and then just having a USB port on the car would be good......

Hello,
To acces the ibus :
I did it 2 days ago on the MKIV connector. I have just poking wires to the connector but i prefer another solution because you can make a sortcut and break your ibus, interface or computer.

It's easy but be carefull.

Thomas

I too was supprised that it worked, but like a lot of BMW service manager's they don't know much about how the cars work, so you get a load of BS.

What have you got to loose? get it enabled the take it back and show him, might be a laugh :)

Do you know what versionof ULF it is??

Why not get one of them cheap telemute leads an mod it for the I-bus (this is what I've done, that way you get +12v -tive and Ibus from the radio and it can be presented as a standard plug).

Its a simple mod and you don't then have to hack the cars loom about.

Not to sure if this is a good idea, you could be asking for trouble down the line.

This is what i have done, the I-bus interface on mine sits in the boot and I just connect the laptop up when I need it.

Just a thought.

Navcoder V2.2 WILL activate VR! Yipee!!
 

OK. I am a VERY happy bunny now! :D

Unlocked Navcoder with the code from Jochen - 30 seconds later (yes, literally) VR is fully working in my X3! One click in the VR checkbox, click Code SES button and after a 'key off/key on', pressing the 'speech bubble' button on the wheel brings up that familiar beep.

Absolutely fab - I can now use my phone etc properly, and without fear of the plods having me for looking at the screen whilst driving, whilst trying to search for a phone number.

Well worth the 20 Euro and I am going to call into my local dealer over the next few days and show Mr Clever Dick Service Manager (oh, it'll cost you £500+ blah blah). :nanana:

I wonder..
 

Would it be possible to enable all the voice commands.

Like, the nav voice commands, and the "note" feature I read about?

If so can it be done in an 07 X3

US models should already have this. Press the voice icon on the steering wheel and say "Help" after the beep to get a list of available commands.

The only voice commands that work on my 07 X3 are the telephone commands. Are you saying the nav commands should have worked "out of the box" as well as the voice notes feature...????

If so, they don't

I've pressed the button and said help. The only "help" that I get is on the telephone voice commands.

A new ULF would gain this option, at the same time - replace your BMW Assist.

Go into the On-Board Computer option on the widescreen - then press and hold the voice button and say MAP

The screen should then revert to the Nav map - if it does, then you can control the Navi with voice. The Navi commands are quite limited - probably MAP and 'End Guidance' are the only commands I use as the map scale commands are in Meters or Kilometers in the VR module, but in Yards/Miles on the screen!

Anyhow, try the MAP command and report back....

Tom, two questions; well actually three.

1. what is the latest ULF version.
2. where do I find the info on the car (ULF info)
3. I just got my 07 in July. Shouldn't it have the latest ULF version, and it came with BMW assist. Or do I not understand something.

Thanks for your help.

I'll try that the next time I'm in the car. Which will be in a couple of hours.