TCU replacement DIY?

[zero]

Hi guys and gals,

I drive an 05 X5 4.4i production date 10.2004. I just got my first Bluetooth capable phone, the Motorola SLVR. My phone pairs, and I can receive calls perfectly, but the the phonebook doesn't load. My dealer informed me that the phonebook only works fully with vehicles with a production date of 9.2005 or later.

I know there are other threads about TCU replacements and Bluetooth, but I've spent half an hour looking for a DIY guide for TCU replacement, and haven't found one (someone referenced an article by IFlyX5 in one of the threads, but I couldn't find said article).

So, my questions are, if I replace my TCU, should this take care of the problem? How tech saavy do you need to be to replace the TCU yourself, how much does it cost, and how much does it usually cost to have the dealer recode the system afterwards? Is it worth my trouble to do this just to get my phonebook to load, or am I crazy?


Thanks for any help guys - I'm a noob, but I'm excited about finding a community of X5 geeks to talk with.

[UCrewX5]

Instructions in this document should give you an idea of what needs to be done. You'll only need to be concerned with the parts dealing with the TCU swap.

http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/As..._Bluetooth.pdf

:xoutpost:

[ifly]

Thanks for the info. How come my Nick is showing up as "Zero"? This is a new development it was still iFly when I posted and all of the info under UserCP shows OK

Gonna see what the dealer resolves with BMW NA on the TCU today before I figure out the route to take next so my listening pleasure is not disturbed

[ifly]

OOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSSSS wrong thread.

OFS = Old Fart Syndrome
CRS = Can't Remember Shit

Thye both set in a while back and are getting worse

[zero]

Originally Posted by ifly

OOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSSSS wrong thread.

OFS = Old Fart Syndrome
CRS = Can't Remember Shit

Thye both set in a while back and are getting worse

Sorry 'bout that ifly - I saw your thread about getting the TCU replaced by the dealer. I just had a question about how feasible it was to do it yourself - my dealer gave me a rough estimate of $1200 for replacing the TCU, and while I could afford that if it was necessary, I don't have the dough to just do that on a whim.


Ucrew - thanks for the 411. Dumb questions, but what parts are specifically involved with the TCU? From what I've read, I've gathered it's located in the back, under the cd changer. Is it just a matter of swapping out a part, or is it more complicated than that?

Also, where's a good place to order/look at parts online? I'm trying to figure out how much this would cost, roughly, to figure out if it's worth it just to make my address book load.

I don't know a whole lot about anything - I don't expect anyone to sit here and hold my hand through the process, but if someone could point me in the right direction, it'd be much appreciated.

[ifly]

No probs my bad. Good question though, also my dealer mentioned $1800 for the TCU FYI. Apparently Motorola is playing hardball on TCU replacements with BMW.