BMW X3 2004 Bluetooth connection

[vladc77]

Hello all,

I am wondering if anyone can help to identify what should be done to connect phone to the internal Bluetooth interface. I located RMFD TELEMATICS CONTROL UNIT back in the trunk area. It is BMW Evedrest IBUS US / Motorola unit. It seem like it was installed at the production time since the made date of this unit is 20.05.2004.

I tried to find a way to connect the phone but no luck yet. There is no 'Activate' message (pairing mode) on CD unit display at start. There is no button under the armrest. I cannot find any buttons to click to initiate pairing. The button R/T on the steering wheel allows to access the Phonebook which is empty since I never connected the phone yet. I ran diagnostic with a primitive tool. It says the telephone unit is working with no errors. The simple task became really tough to accomplish. What I am missing to accomplish this task? Is that reasonable to think that I should have the Bluetooth connectivity if RMFD TELEMATICS CONTROL UNIT is installed. Please help to figure out what can be blocking to start using Bluetooth. Any help is highly appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

[BLKX3]

Do you have the white card with the bluetooth passkey? You should be able to start pairing the device by pressing the button on the steering wheel that looks like someone speaking then turn the key to position 1. In a couple of seconds it should start pairing and your phone should see it....enter the four digit code into your phone..

[vladc77]

Yes, I do have a passkey. I found out that my RMFD TELEMATICS CONTROL UNIT most likely will not work. I have an early model and people say that even though I may have a passkey that my unit has no working Bluetooth. It is weird but nothing I can do to enable it. Thank you for trying to help!

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by vladc77

Hello all,

I am wondering if anyone can help to identify what should be done to connect phone to the internal Bluetooth interface. I located RMFD TELEMATICS CONTROL UNIT back in the trunk area. It is BMW Evedrest IBUS US / Motorola unit. It seem like it was installed at the production time since the made date of this unit is 20.05.2004.

The production date on the TCU is prior to the availability date. What is the build date of your BMW? That may be more telling.


Plus, BMW had a major screw up back in 2004...they even wrote in the owners manuals that there was BT connectivity...but it was incorrect. See the last pic below and the text highlighted in yellow.

[yes_its_neil]

I presume you don't have the button circled in my photo, under the centre console top hatch? It has a dual function in my 2009 model, of releasing the phone cradle panel mechanically as well as enabling pairing. That is done by holding the button down as the key is turned to position 1.

No help to you if you don't have the button though. Right hand drive here in Australia, so layout will appear reversed.