Tow experts: Which Tekonsha brake controller do I buy?

[ninekrpm]

Originally Posted by ninekrpm

Does the hitch kit wirring take care of disabling the PDC and making DSC, etc. aware of the trailer when it is connected?

How do I address this issue folks?

[RenaissanceMan]

Originally Posted by ninekrpm

How do I address this issue folks?

If you are simply wanting to disable those features, there are buttons located on the console that will allow you to switch them off when your trailer is connected. The park distance control only engages in reverse, so once you are in reverse you can switch it off with the corresponding button. DSC has its own switch on the console as well that will allow you to disable it.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by ninekrpm

Does the hitch kit wirring take care of disabling the PDC and making DSC, etc. aware of the trailer when it is connected?

FK

In my case, it did, completely. I installed an OEM hitch and wiring on my 2003 3.0, following the BMW service instructions. There was no need to recode the vehicle, and when the trailer was connected the PDC was cancelled on the rear, lighting worked perfectly, and the BMW instructions referenced the stability control feature on the DSC.

Around 2005, some posters started noting that their trailer lights did not work after installing the OEM wiring, and the dealer had to reflash the vehicle. I don't know for sure, but it appears to depend on what software version the vehicle had, and what other options were installed. Current BMW instructions for newer models of the X5 talk about a reflash possibly being required. If you install the OEM wiring kit, and the trailer lights work, then nothing else is required.

I installed the OEM wiring kit on our X3 two weeks ago. It is the same electronic module as the X5 uses, and the instructions I used were issued in 2009. Those instructions specifically noted that no vehicle reflash was required on the X3.

Hope all that helps.

[RenaissanceMan]

Originally Posted by JCL

In my case, it did, completely. I installed an OEM hitch and wiring on my 2003 3.0, following the BMW service instructions. There was no need to recode the vehicle, and when the trailer was connected the PDC was cancelled on the rear, lighting worked perfectly, and the BMW instructions referenced the stability control feature on the DSC.

Around 2005, some posters started noting that their trailer lights did not work after installing the OEM wiring, and the dealer had to reflash the vehicle. I don't know for sure, but it appears to depend on what software version the vehicle had, and what other options were installed. Current BMW instructions for newer models of the X5 talk about a reflash possibly being required. If you install the OEM wiring kit, and the trailer lights work, then nothing else is required.

I installed the OEM wiring kit on our X3 two weeks ago. It is the same electronic module as the X5 uses, and the instructions I used were issued in 2009. Those instructions specifically noted that no vehicle reflash was required on the X3.

Hope all that helps.

Hmmm... This is interesting. I have a 2005, and after the dealer-performed install I definitely still have to manually turn off the PDC when reversing. Trailer lights work fine, though. According to the service record, they did not perform a reflash. Anyone else up here have the same experience as me? I have to take the X5 in to get them to replace my fuel level sensors at some point. I guess I'll be asking them about this, as well.

[TowX]

My April '04 build 2004 needed to be recoded. Before the recode whenever I parked overnight the trailer lights would flash every 15 or 20 seconds, and the rear park sensors were still active. So I have to believe the stability control program wasn't changed until after the recode either.

In my case, one local dealer had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned the recode. The dealer that did the recode for me was on the ball, the shop foreman had an '04 X5 that he used for towing too, and had to reflash his. I wasn't going to take a chance on not having the modified stability control program so told him to recode. And having once needed the stability program in an emergency situation, I can attest to the fact that it works. Downhill at 55mph into an unmarked hairpin turn with a deer in the road, all 8 brakes were full on but the X5 programming helped keep the trailer behind me.

[RenaissanceMan]

Anyone know if there is any sort of bulletin or BMW service reference online we can print out and bring to the dealer that specifically describes the recode version, etc., for those of us whose dealers are 'not quite on the ball', such as mine??

[JCL]

Originally Posted by RenaissanceMan

Anyone know if there is any sort of bulletin or BMW service reference online we can print out and bring to the dealer that specifically describes the recode version, etc., for those of us whose dealers are 'not quite on the ball', such as mine??

Having worked in dealerships, we never appreciated owners bringing in what were usually outdated bulletins that didn't apply to their vehicles.

There is a PDF of the BMW hitch instructions on this site, listed above under Online References, in the E53 section. However, it is dated 2000, and makes no reference to recoding. You need the most current version of that instruction. My X3 hitch instructions (which my dealer printer out for me upon my request) specifically said that no reflash was necessary for that model, and it was issued in the past year or so. The documents are regularly updated.

Your dealer can simply look up the latest edition of the hitch installation instructions (probably called a TSB, or SIB), and those instructions reference recoding if it applies.

[fulltilt]

I have a slight modification to the location of the Prodigy so that I can remove it when I'm not towing. You can see it here. It may help someone.

2004 BMW X5 Hitch

It sounds like we all have to run the brake wire to the rear, right? Doesn't it seem like there should be a provision for this in the factory wiring, or does BMW feel that too few people will pull trailers with brakes?

[RenaissanceMan]

I had to run the brake wire to the rear.

Well, I called my service advisor today and he had no knowledge of a need for a reflash after the tow hitch install... Based on JCL's and TowX's experiences, I'm not convinced this is right. I'm going to take the X in next week to get my fuel level sensors replaced and will try and investigate further.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by RenaissanceMan

I had to run the brake wire to the rear.

Well, I called my service advisor today and he had no knowledge of a need for a reflash after the tow hitch install... Based on JCL's and TowX's experiences, I'm not convinced this is right. I'm going to take the X in next week to get my fuel level sensors replaced and will try and investigate further.

Since the dealer did the install, why not simply ask that they fix the trailer wiring so that the PDC is turned off for the rear sensors when a trailer is connected, as advertised? You shouldn't really care if it is a faulty trailer module, or a requirement that it be reflashed, you just want it to work. Let them figure out how to do it. If they are stymied, let them know that others seem to have had this problem resolved with a reflash, but since they are the experts, you will let them fix it.....