I would like to see proof as well. I am not trying to dog you, but in another post you also said e53 X5's didn't have water cooled alternators, which was incorrect. Just like to see some evidence on this one.

Tom, I would bring this to the attention of the service manager at United BMW. They should now that one of their techs really didn't know what was wrong and was trying to get you to dump $1,000 in services.

I am not an RF-Engineer but know a bit about electronics and I would say if the TCU overheats due to use then there are some serious design issues with the product and those concerns should be addressed....gez what would happpen if the TCU caused a fire near the gastank?

killcrap - backup your statement "continued use of non-approved bluetooth headsets cause the TCU to overheat. this has been proven in the field"

when did i say they didnt have water cooled alternators?

Here...


http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...pros-cons.html

Like I said, not trying to insult you, just looking for proof of what you said above. That's all. :thumbup:

Edit; OK. I finally see what you were talking about. You were giving engine codes to differentiate the 00-03 and 04-06 4.4. You are correct, the facelifted X5's do not have water cooled alternators and the pre-facelifted ones do. It just wasn't very clear as you were throwing around codes. Got ya. Crisis averted and we are on the same page.

Anyway, if you have any sort of service bulletin or anything regarding the bluetooth issue, please share.

umm, yea,try reading again, cuz i said no n62 x5 motor has a water cooled alternator. so i wasnt wrong. not by a long shot. there is a difference when comparing it to the m62tu motor. ive worked on plenty of vehicles with bluetooth problems.

Majority of the concerns are bluetooth does not work any more.

I have only encounter less than a handful of problems with supported handsets not pairing anymore, but ALL of thoes were due to a hardware failure Fault Code 79. Removing the TCU, the tcu is warm not hot when replacing it.

The customers with unapproved handsets that come in after a couple of months of use, come in. First check the fault memory, no communication with TCU. Remove covers from TCU. and The TCU is HOT to touch. Disconnect tcu and reconnect, Tcu now communicates. Delete paired phones, allow vehicle to go to sleep, Re-pair approved phone. Send customer on Their way.

Multiple BMW service bullitins state this

Note: Pairing on an incompatible handset can have adverse effects.

Tcu's replacments need authorization from BMW for approval. When asking for approval, all information is requested such as bluetooth handsets paired, It is almost unheard of that a customer will have to pay for a TCU under warranty. Ive spoken to the head of the TCU group in NJ, and he even says that un approved phones can cause the TCU to overheat and looses communication over K-BUS. This is because the TCU is constantly looking for the phone and does not power off.

See above, I already edited my post. :thumbup:

Killcrap - thanks for the response.

I have ULF in the E46 and a TCU in the E83. They have both worked fine with about 3 generations of HTC / MS Mobile PDA cell phones.

I see the definition:

TCU = Assist Telematics + Bluetooth + Voice Activation
ULF = Bluetooth + Voice Activation

I am aware that RF units get warm...but wouldn't a "lock up" of a TCU (and it getting warmer) be more related to a SW issue affecting the HW design of said unit?

i'm not a software engineer or a tcu developer, so cant answer that.

Can you post the BMW TSB numbers that address this overheating issue?

Tsbs of what? Pairing unapproved phones can have adverse affects? I never said there is a bullitin that says anything about over heating tcus