Bluetooth Confused ;(
 

Hi Everyone,
I just bought a 2004 X5 and am trying to sort out what is needed to make Bluetooth work. I have learned that 2004 models did not have BT capability from the factory. OK but how can it be that there are Bluetooth parts for cars prior to this date?

Now, I am looking at photos here and on the BimmerNav site BMW Bluetooth X5 retrofit - Bimmernav BMW Upgrades to learn how to retrofit on and see this photo which shows the Bluetooth antenna AFTER installation. http://www.bimmernav.com/images/x5bt1.jpg I already have that module! What gives? I know I have the telephone prewire or at least the manual to it with my owners manual. Where is the ULF normally located and how do I find out what version it is?

There is no cradle in the center console but suspect that one of the previous owners had a phone installed and put in the blank when they sold it. Pressing the button on the steering wheel says activating phone but nothing happens.

Could I already have Bluetooth retrofit?

Help. PLEASE! I have not been this confused over a new vehicle, ever :(
Greg

When the display says ACTIVATE PHONE, begin oyur pairing from your handset. It should be described in the vehicle manual.

Thanks Bob, I have tried to pair a couple different phones (iPhone, Blackberry) at that time but neither one see the car. I have also tried it within 30 seconds of key on to no avail.

The bigger issues are if 2004 models do not come with Bluetooth, why do I have the Bluetooth antenna? If I have Bluetooth, what won't it pair?

You may have a WDCT capable TCU. You need to read the part number off the TCU. Tehre is a list of BT compatible TCUs floating around on Google. It will have a BT sticker on it, but don't let that fool you into thinking it supports HFP/HSP, it may only support the wireless BMW handset.

Wireless BMW handset? Now there is something new to me! Thanks Bob!

Time to tear open the rear cargo area and document everything, I guess. Here I thought this would be easy. Sheesh!

Worst case you are going to need to budget $150 ish for a newer iBus TCU.

Cool! So, you think the ULF is appropriate? I hear that item is over $650 new. Will swapping for a later TCU cause me to lose any functionality? I have read that although less expensive some features are lacking.

Sorry for all the questions. I am still trying to make some sense of this thing.
Greg

Depends. Do you have an SES module?
http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...-x5-82cf_1.jpg (mine is black)

ULF - BT plus voice control of nav and phone
TCU (post 2005 ish) - BT plus BMW Assist, plus voice control of phone
SES - voice control of nav and phone (blue plug)

ULF with SES will fight, SES with TCU with voice enabled will fight.


Navcoder can disable voice control in TCU or ULF.

SES jumper can be used and SES module sold.

My X5 did a crazy thing today - it paired with my iPhone and my Curve! I pulled into the driveway and before I shut her off, I accidently pressed the button to activate the phone. When I saw the message in the display, I thought "what the hell" and gave it a try. I checked my phone and the BMW showed up! I found the PK card, typed it in and it downloaded my address book! SUCCESS!

I got out and grabbed the curve from inside the house and it failed to see the car. I gave up because I had to make a quick trip and take my daughter to the store but while she was inside, I tried again and it worked this time! SUCCESS!

I still can't figure out why it took dozens of tries to get them to pair. The ONLY thing I can think of is that both times I was successful I had my seatbelt on! If I can come up with a third phone to try, I'll test this theory. I will not risk removing one of my already paired phones. :)

Haha! BMW only supports talking on the phone when you are driving!

Glad you got it to work!

Oh yeah X5 ULF needs the seatbelt to be in to do the pairing. It's so obscure I had forgotten, but it's buried in one piece of the paperwork I have downloaded from somewhere.
source:E46 TCU paring.pdf SI B84 13 04 May 2005.