2003 X5 4.6is Bluetooth Retrofit Issues

[amancuso]

Originally Posted by HarryMrn

...
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.

...

Unusual as it works prefectly fine on all the BMW's I've installed the old system in. Only one that sounded a little low on my end was in my 1999 528i and that's probably because it was a non-DSP car.

[HarryMrn]

Originally Posted by amancuso

Unusual as it works prefectly fine on all the BMW's I've installed the old system in. Only one that sounded a little low on my end was in my 1999 528i and that's probably because it was a non-DSP car.

Okay intresting. I have no dsp also it is non nav version, maybe it could be the issue. I have just business model with cassette player in front and cd box at rear.

Well anyways its great that it works for You and others too I guess. But adding option to use bluetooth music from phone for about 60 euros, was no brainer to me, aux cable is too much messing around for me.

[amancuso]

Originally Posted by HarryMrn

Okay intresting. I have no dsp also it is non nav version, maybe it could be the issue. I have just business model with cassette player in front and cd box at rear.

Well anyways its great that it works for You and others too I guess. But adding option to use bluetooth music from phone for about 60 euros, was no brainer to me, aux cable is too much messing around for me.

Sometimes you just have to find what works in your situation. I know that in other markets some models don't even get a trunk mounted amp.

[LVP]

Hi guys, slowly have been poking away at getting this working. I've got the mic, SOS/help switch, bluetooth module (believe from an 03) and bluetooth antenna. I only have one connector that seems to attach to either the bluetooth module or the antenna. For those that have done the retrofit (and from these posts) I suspect there is a cable that needs to go from the bluetooth module to the antenna. I have steering wheel buttons, no button in the middle console and the business radio (no nav unit). My car is a Jan 2004 production. Thanks in advance for any insight.

Originally Posted by Maruzo

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.

[Maruzo]

I don't know much about how to make it work on a non nav factory system.

But I assume you still need to connect the bluetooth microphone on top near the sunroof button. You still need to install a bluetooth module next to the amp on the rear left tire well. Also need to install the bluetooth antenna, and connect the cable from the module to the antenna.

There should already be wiring and plug that you can find that will connect to the bluetooth module.

03 X5 comes prewired for the bluetooth, I believe.

Since you already see the connector for the bluetooth module, then your car is prewired for it.

Connect the bluetooth module, then connect the antenna cable fro module to the antenna. Install your bluetooth microphone. There should already be a phone wire inside one of the empty switch covers next to the sunroof switch.

That's pretty much it.

When you turn on the radio, you also need to input the activation code that's shown on the bluetooth module.

As for the bluetooth module, find a later model that goes into 05, 06 X5s. Those are better and they allow your phone to connect directly without fumbling with the connection button inside the center console armrest.

Get the better bluetooth microphone. BMW made 2 versions, the slightly more expensive version is much better in terms of reception and clarity.

[LVP]

Thanks. I need the cable from the module to the antenna (ordered a generic one from Amazon as BMW ones are NLA). Hopefully the software will tell me the bluetooth code (I got this module from a wrecker - has the sticker, but the code is blank ).

I'll post back if I get it working. Thanks for weighing in.

[LVP]

Got the generic cable to connect bluetooth module to antenna and still no luck. Phone light is red on the radio, no combination of key turning and button pressing does anything to make it show up in the bluetooth devices. Pressing the other button (not the person talking one) puts up a "phonebook empty" error on the display. Radio shows a "please wait" message. I'll try with a few other phones and plug in the laptop to see what I can get. Mic and SOS switch are installed. I have another module (newer by date codes) but it is likely dead as nothing happens when I install that one. I'll update if I make any progress.

[Maruzo]

Does your phone see the bmw bluetooth module?

[LVP]

No. When I plugged the computer in before it had errors for missing SOS switch, plus I didn't have the cable connecting module to antenna (I have 2 antennas I tried). Radio display says "please wait" and my phone picks up nothing on the BT scan.

[LVP]

I suspect my issues is as outlined in these instructions
https://store.bimmernav.com/blogs/in...bluetooth-kits

Mine doesn't have that button and looks like this. Off to the wreckers.