Does the Trailer Control Module have to be coded after it was installed with hitch?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Whitecat

Here is the BMW instruction
http://www.kneb.net/bmw/E70/Trailer%...-%20towbar.pdf

Almost, but not quite. That is the E70 instruction, not the E53. That link is valuable, because it describes, for the E70, what programming is required. The steps documented in that instruction say to use PROGMAN 23.2, and change the vehicle order to include the relevant module. That is the software equivalent of forcing a plug and play device to be recognized, IMO. For some reason, the earlier plug and play routine stopped functioning in some (but not all) cases.

There is a problem using the 2006 instruction that you posted. It says that no trailer brake controller is available from BMW. That was true in 2006, but later changed. A later version of that instruction may be of more help for those who plan to tow trailers over 1600 lbs.

http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/e5...iler_hitch.pdf

This is the instruction for the E53, dated 2000. It was not still valid when I did my 2003 hitch install, from memory, but it was very close. Nothing material. I got the latest instruction printed out by my dealer, and compared them. The one posted here shows the EU hitch (swan neck) but the steps are the same. No mention of any coding required.

I don't have a 2005/2006 version of that instruction, but someone will. I suspect it will have some form of coding instructions, probably similar to your link for the E70.

I did install a hitch on a 2007 E83, which uses the same trailer wiring module. That vehicle also had trailer stability control, cancelling of the rear PDC, etc, suggesting that none of that coding is required to be loaded, it is already on the vehicle waiting to be activated. The service instructions (2009 or 2010 release, can't remember which) specifically stated that for that specific model, no recoding was required, and customers should not be charged for recoding. Apparently the E83 vehicle software, which is based on the E46, didn't have the post-2004 LCI E53 problems.