Hitch wire installation.

[Weasel]

Well then I guess it's a 50/50 shot as to whether or not it is needed. When I first installed my OEM hitch wiring I didn't have time to program it that day and it stayed undone for a week. I tried plugging in the trailer, the lights didn't work and the rear PDC still came on beeping. (on an 03 mind you) After I performed the retrofit it all worked perfectly.

So between my and JCL's experiences I would say just try it. If it works, carry on. If it doesn't work, you already know what to do.

[DoubleA]

I found out just after posting that the wire harness was not in the box WTF...

There was only the white square connector, the black round plug and the metal bracket, I tough maybe the wire is already hidden somewhere underneath the spare wheel, but it's not, excuse my ignorance but sometime you see a pics and think this is what you will get. I'm calling them right now and hope they will ship it free of charge since it's their mistake.

[gianvito16]

Originally Posted by DoubleA

I found out just after posting that the wire harness was not in the box WTF...

There was only the white square connector, the black round plug and the metal bracket, I tough maybe the wire is already hidden somewhere underneath the spare wheel, but it's not, excuse my ignorance but sometime you see a pics and think this is what you will get. I'm calling them right now and hope they will ship it free of charge since it's their mistake.

you should have gotten it with everything else. that peice itself is about $95.00 from ECS and you cant do anything without it. i would deffinitly call up and make sure they take care of the sittuation. GL.

[gianvito16]

i hooked up my hitch and wiring a few weeks ago and i did not need to program it. all i did was remove the fuse for the module before i installed it. when i finished i put the fuse back in and the trailer plug was tested with a test light and worked fine. i also have a plug that goes into the trailer plug that acts as a reverse alarm and that also worked fine once i was done. so im not doubting that i needs to be programed but like Weasel said maybe its a 50/50 shot.

[DoubleA]

I called Bavarian Auto Sport and I was right they forgot to put the wire harness in the box, so they are sending me one free of charge. Good guys and great service even though it should have been in the box at first, the error is human so no complaint here.

I was reading the instruction and they suggested to unplug the battery prior to the installation, I guess removing the fuse would be the equivalent but I wont take any chance and follow the instructions but that wont be before another week tough.

[JCL]

Since we have had various experiences of needing reprogramming or not, even on two '03 models, I wonder whether the software version the vehicle is on has any impact on the need to reprogram for the wiring harness. My vehicle was never flashed or changed to a newer version, while I am sure that Weasel's has been updated. Just an idea.

[X5 Meister]

Well according to BMW's instructions for the euro hitch it seems much clearer than 50/50:

[JCL]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

Well according to BMW's instructions for the euro hitch it seems much clearer than 50/50:

But what does the instruction say for the non-Euro vehicle? The programming is different by region. The BMW tech instructions from 2003 make no mention of programming, so I am interested in when it became a factor for North American vehicles.

[X5 Meister]

Working on the US ones.

What BMW tech instructions from 2003 are you referring to?

Originally Posted by JCL

But what does the instruction say for the non-Euro vehicle? The programming is different by region. The BMW tech instructions from 2003 make no mention of programming, so I am interested in when it became a factor for North American vehicles.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

Working on the US ones.

What BMW tech instructions from 2003 are you referring to?

My dealer printed it out for me at the time, I don't still have it. I do have the installation instructions, a 25 page book numbered 01 29 0 009 710 VII/00, titled Installation Instructions for Parts and Accessories - Retrofitting Tow Bar (E53) US. It doesn't mention coding. It mentions everything else though.