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  #1  
Old 06-23-2018, 09:48 PM
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2003 X5 4.6is Bluetooth Retrofit Issues

I purchased an used oem bluetooth retrofit kit from ebay. Installed it today. Here's my install steps:

1. Connect the ULF module to the 53pin cable from the prewired cables in the rear cargo area.

2. Connected the bluetooth antenna cable from the antenna down to the ULF module.

3. Looked at the SES jumble plug behind the cd changer, did it both ways: replaced with the plug that came with the kit, then unplugged and reinstalled the oem plug.

4. Removed the front center console phone electronics cover, install the BMW eject box and connect the 18pin connector and the purple RF connector from the bluetooth eject box to the 2 prewired connectors under the cover.

5. Remove the garage door opener to reach in and pop out the microphone cover. Look for the unused 3 pin connector and plug into the microphone with the arrow pointing to the windshield.

6. Turn on the ignition and look for the ULF device in my car's bluetooth devices.

This is the step that i'm stuck on. I tried multiple ways, but I just couldn't get my iphone to see the bmw ULF.

I turned ignition to first position, turn on the nav monitor, made sure "telephone" is displayed on the screen. Then I looked for the ulf device in my iphone's bluetooth.

I also did this using the supplied SES plug.

Tried resetting the ULF device by unplugging the unit and waiting a few minutes before plugging it back in.

Also tried to press the voice recognition button on the eject box, but every time I just get a voice that says "sorry". When I press it again it says "system off".

Gave up after multiple tries using all variations.

I've noticed that bluetooth is in the "off" position under settings. And I could not turn it to the "on" position despite multiple tries.

My guess is, I either have a bad ULF unit, or my monitor needs a firmware update so I can turn bluetooth to "on"?

Or i'm doing something wrong and just don't know it.

Can anyone share their successful experience retrofitting the bluetooth?

Much obliged!

Theo

p.s. I did notice there's an extra bluetooth cable and a 3 wire cable near the 53pin prewired cable for the ULF device. But since my retrofit kit came with an antenna and a cable, I used the cable from the kit to connect between the ULF and the antenna.
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  #2  
Old 06-24-2018, 12:26 AM
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What is the part # of the ULF module?

I also retrofitted OEM bluetooth with following parts to my 03 4.6is.
1. ULF 8410912084301
2. Bluetooth Antenna 84506928461
3. Antenna Cable 61120137616
4. Mic 84318380319

That is all the parts I needed. Didn't have to do steps 3 and 4 you've described.
Connected everything, make note of PIN on the ULF module, turn ignition on, search for bluetooth from the phone, found BMW#####, paired with PIN.
Works great and never had problem.

Last edited by white46; 06-24-2018 at 12:39 AM.
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  #3  
Old 06-24-2018, 01:52 AM
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8421694538701 made in Spain nov 2004

I checked out ur unit. It’s a bigger and newer Motorola model with 3 extra connectors. I wonder if my Bluetooth antenna cable will work in this newer unit?

I finally got the pairing to work after reading the instruction again. I missed the part about pressing the pairing button for a second BEFORE turning on the ignition. The three lights on the upper right hand corner of the monitor stars to blink and Bluetooth pairing showed up. I selected BMW ULF and punched in the 4 digit code. Voila, success!

I am now trying to add address book into the Bluetooth but so far only the last dialed number function allows me to choose dialed numbers so I don’t have to dial them out.

My voice comes through loud and clear but the callers voice is weak with occasional static.
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Old 06-24-2018, 05:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by white46 View Post
What is the part # of the ULF module?

I also retrofitted OEM bluetooth with following parts to my 03 4.6is.
1. ULF 8410912084301
2. Bluetooth Antenna 84506928461
3. Antenna Cable 61120137616
4. Mic 84318380319

That is all the parts I needed. Didn't have to do steps 3 and 4 you've described.
Connected everything, make note of PIN on the ULF module, turn ignition on, search for bluetooth from the phone, found BMW#####, paired with PIN.
Works great and never had problem.
There's a better mic from bmw Part# 84 31 6 938 762 and it's compatible with our E53. I have it and my voice comes through clear and loud to the other side.

How did you fix the bluetooth module onto the rear cargo area? Did you have a compatible frame? Or did you use double side tape?
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Old 06-25-2018, 11:03 AM
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You need 84136932937 and 51711934930 x 2 to mound the bluetooth module on the side of amp.

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  #6  
Old 06-25-2018, 10:20 PM
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The ULF modules with the pairing button are a pain in the ass. You have to hold it down as you turn the key if I remember correctly. I have the ULF system in my '03 M5, but my X5 has the TCU module.
This video might help you. The system the guy is using is not installed in the car and he is using a switch as "ignition on".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJi0NUWQQQ0
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Old 08-15-2019, 07:40 PM
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Sorry to bump up an old thread, but does anyone have a list of the compatible bluetooth modules that will work on E53 X5 with the oem nav unit?

I'm currently using my old 8421694538701 unit without much issues. However, I believe the new models has a slightly better reception and easier connection interface.

There's plenty of older bmw bluetooth modules on ebay, mostly starting 07~10 model years, but i'm not sure which one will work for our car model.

Price is right, but need to make sure it works first before I buy one.

Any ideas?
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Old 08-16-2019, 08:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maruzo View Post
Sorry to bump up an old thread, but does anyone have a list of the compatible bluetooth modules that will work on E53 X5 with the oem nav unit?

I'm currently using my old 8421694538701 unit without much issues. However, I believe the new models has a slightly better reception and easier connection interface.

There's plenty of older bmw bluetooth modules on ebay, mostly starting 07~10 model years, but i'm not sure which one will work for our car model.

Price is right, but need to make sure it works first before I buy one.

Any ideas?
Not sure what year the cut off is, but e83 and e85 switched from the modules that work in our cars to a later type that aren't compatible. I think it's somewhere around 2008.
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Old 08-16-2019, 08:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maruzo View Post
Sorry to bump up an old thread, but does anyone have a list of the compatible bluetooth modules that will work on E53 X5 with the oem nav unit?

I'm currently using my old 8421694538701 unit without much issues. However, I believe the new models has a slightly better reception and easier connection interface.

There's plenty of older bmw bluetooth modules on ebay, mostly starting 07~10 model years, but i'm not sure which one will work for our car model.

Price is right, but need to make sure it works first before I buy one.

Any ideas?
If upgrading to a bluetooth module for the e53 X5...I would suggest looking for the ones that were installed in the vehicles built in the chart below. These are the TCU bluetooth modules that don't require the "pairing button"... they automatically pair when you turn the ignition on. The older ULF modules that were offered as an over-the-counter accessory option for the e38/e39/e36/early e46/early e53 models...require the pairing button:





Be careful if purchasing a "TCU" from an early build e46/e53/e83/e85 produced between the dates highlighted in yellow (in the pic below) or prior to the dates in the chart above...because they were incorrectly labled as having BT compatibility...and they DID NOT:


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  #10  
Old 09-09-2019, 03:47 AM
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Pairing did not work with pushing buttons and messing with ignition for me too. So I decided to look what PA Scanner shows in bt module. Good news You can change in car bt module name of the car, delete old connections, set new password and start pairing with this, really easy to do if You have PA scanner available. Once you have paired then in disconnects after few seconds. Then just turn off car and lock it down. Next time you enter car and start it, then phone connects automatically everytime.

But in my opinion with these days bt protocols in this old module does not work well when calling. I can hear everything well, but guys on other side say that voice is disconnecting during the call and sometimes volume is too low. Even if everything is turned to the max for me and the person who calls me. So maybe its not worth to waste time for this "upgrade". I use iphone 6s and iphone x.

I bought this for my 2004 x5. Works like a charm, steering wheel buttons work, connects automatically to phone, has hands free mic included and starts playing music where it was stopped+ waze etc apps show where I parked my car. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-H...ateway&sr=8-18
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