Bluetooth pairing not working...

sedwilkins · #1 06-25-2014, 08:14 PM

Hey Guys!

I have a 6/'06 4.8is which I just purchased the bluetooth snap-in adapter for. The car already is prewired with everything and has the ulf, microphone, etc. I can get the hands free to work via the coughing man on the steering wheel but when I try to initiate the bluetooth pairing I get nothing except activate phone error....

I've searched and there seems to be multiple variations on the procedure, so im fairly unclear on what the actual process is to start pairing. I've tried pressing both the BT button on the snap in adapter and the coughing man on the steering wheel for 3 seconds, then turning on ignition, etc...still nothing. Is there something i'm missing here?

Before I installed the BT snap in, there was just a blank storage tray. I do have a card in the manual for a Motorolla with pin/PK numbers on it.

Thanks in advance for the help!

TerminatorX5 · #2 06-25-2014, 08:56 PM

on the newer ones you don't need the talking head in the central console to initiate the pairing, but i could never activate the proper pairing as described in the manual (i am lying, i did it once, on 10th attempt about two years ago). since then i am using the INPA to pair the phones... i guess you don't have the INPA software to get it paired...

upallnight · #3 06-26-2014, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

on the newer ones you don't need the talking head in the central console to initiate the pairing, but i could never activate the proper pairing as described in the manual (i am lying, i did it once, on 10th attempt about two years ago). since then i am using the INPA to pair the phones... i guess you don't have the INPA software to get it paired...

In psychology that would be known as the Skinner test.

or

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." -

four.8is · #4 06-25-2014, 09:14 PM

Wait do you not have the factory Bluetooth module?
You should..what I do is activate phone first then press phone button on the side of the MID/NAV screen
It asks for code at first but from then on it connects automatically
I hope I didn't just made a fool out of myself explaining something you already know.

Qsilver7 · #5 06-25-2014, 11:05 PM

I was under the impression, too...that a 6/06 build date e53 would have the TCU unit which uses the talking head to pair.

If that's the case...I have to say that my experience was like TX5...I had the instructions & Pass Key code and would attempt to pair within the first few minutes as the instructions stated...and it didn't work. I got up the next morning and thought I followed the same procedure...and VOILA!...it paired.

Also, it helps if you give us a step by step procedure of what you did. Writing that you followed several instructions...is vague...and doesn't help us to help you better (in case you are missing a step)...we have no idea of what you actually tried to do.

These are the pairing instructions for the e53s with the factory TCU units...you must have the pass key code ready...and you will be looking for BMW XXXX (last digits of your X5's VIN) to appear on your smart PHONE (not our X5's MID/Nav/instr cluster). Note that it mentions nothing about "pressing a button on the steering wheel or armrest to pair the vehicle to the phone...all searching and entering of PK code is done on your smartphone:

(from a 10/2004-up build date...the E53 has the TCU and uses the talking head button (to activate the system once paired) on the steering wheel & the Pass Key Code from the TCU or it's owners manual to pair)

TIPS:

KL R = ignition position 1
KL 15 = ignition position 2
STEP 3 (below) refers to following the instructions for our smartphone & looking for "BMW XXXXX" (where x=last 5 digits of your X's VIN) on your smartphone as the device you want to pair with

sedwilkins · #6 06-26-2014, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

on the newer ones you don't need the talking head in the central console to initiate the pairing, but i could never activate the proper pairing as described in the manual (i am lying, i did it once, on 10th attempt about two years ago). since then i am using the INPA to pair the phones... i guess you don't have the INPA software to get it paired...

I do have INPA, Rheingold, and bmw tools with daten v 51.3 installed. how do you do it via INPA?

Quote:

Originally Posted by four.8is

Wait do you not have the factory Bluetooth module?
You should..what I do is activate phone first then press phone button on the side of the MID/NAV screen
It asks for code at first but from then on it connects automatically
I hope I didn't just made a fool out of myself explaining something you already know.

Yes, I have the factory BT module and TCU. How do you activate the phone? I do not have the original motorolla phone that used to be installed...only my Galaxy S5

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

I was under the impression, too...that a 6/06 build date e53 would have the TCU unit which uses the talking head to pair.

If that's the case...I have to say that my experience was like TX5...I had the instructions & Pass Key code and would attempt to pair within the first few minutes as the instructions stated...and it didn't work. I got up the next morning and thought I followed the same procedure...and VOILA!...it paired.

Also, it helps if you give us a step by step procedure of what you did. Writing that you followed several instructions...is vague...and doesn't help us to help you better (in case you are missing a step)...we have no idea of what you actually tried to do.

These are the pairing instructions for the e53s with the factory TCU units...you must have the pass key code ready...and you will be looking for BMW XXXX (last digits of your X5's VIN) to appear on your smart PHONE (not our X5's MID/Nav/instr cluster). Note that it mentions nothing about "pressing a button on the steering wheel or armrest to pair the vehicle to the phone...all searching and entering of PK code is done on your smartphone:

(from a 10/2004-up build date...the E53 has the TCU and uses the talking head button (to activate the system once paired) on the steering wheel & the Pass Key Code from the TCU or it's owners manual to pair)

TIPS:

KL R = ignition position 1
KL 15 = ignition position 2
STEP 3 (below) refers to following the instructions for our smartphone & looking for "BMW XXXX" on your smartphone as the device you want to pair with

I do not get any "bluetooth pairing" message across the MID when I first turn the car on....

I did Exactly this, step by step:

http://www.xoutpost.com/40374-post3.html

Qsilver7 · #7 06-27-2014, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedwilkins

Yes, I have the factory BT module and TCU.
How do you activate the phone?
I do not have the original motorolla phone that used to be installed...only my Galaxy S5
I do not get any "bluetooth pairing" message across the MID when I first turn the car on....
I did Exactly this, step by step:

http://www.xoutpost.com/40374-post3.html

Instead of following the steps at the link that requires pressing the button on the console...try using the instruction I posted above that are for the newer TCU that does NOT require the press of the button in the console.

These were the instructions used to pair my Galaxy S2 with my 06 X5...again, I didn't have to press the talking head button to do the initial pairing:

TIPS:

KL R = ignition position 1
KL 15 = ignition position 2
if you DON'T see BLUETOOTH PAIRING appear on the MID/Nav or the other lights that may or may not illuminate...continue on to follow the instructions for BT pairing for your phone as mentioned in STEP 3
STEP 3 (below) refers to following the instructions for your smartphone & looking for "BMW XXXXX" (where x=last 5 digits of your X's VIN) on your smartphone as the device you want to pair with

If or once you get your Galaxy S5 paired to your X5...you probably have VR (voice recognition) which only requires pressing & holding the talking head button for a few seconds on the steering wheel, then giving the system a command once you hear the beep.

[/CENTER]

TerminatorX5 · #8 06-26-2014, 08:33 PM

hehehe... remember the old movie, Jurassic Park? in that movie, the T-Rex is in a corral fenced off with an electric fence... with pea-sized brain the T-Rex constantly butting his head against the fence, and one character is saying, that Rex is stupid, can't learn after first couple attempts... and the other character says, that "No, he is hoping that one of those times, the electric will be off, and then... " well, you probably had seen the movie...

so... here we go...

"... and then..."

Qsilver7 · #9 06-28-2014, 08:41 AM

Any luck using the instructions in posts #4 & #8 that are for the TCU instead of the the ULF?

If this is confusing...as mentioned in post #4...the X5 w/premium pkg and BMW Assit...came with the newer TCU module which has built in circuitry to call for help (Assist)...whereas the instruction you followed & linked us to was for the older ULF module (Bluetooth).

If you have the BMW ASSIST (SOS) button in your headliner...then you should follow the instructions in post #4 & #8.

silyb0y · #10 06-30-2014, 07:00 PM

If you cant start the pairing mode using the pairing button -> try activate pairing mode via OBD. Works for some ULF models - not for all.

If you cant acitivate the pairing mode using the pairing button you have to consider the possibility that the harness might be defective. I couldnt start the pairing mode couple of month ago (bought new cellphone). I took the armrest apart, checked the harness under the box. 8 wires were broken ( at 2 different locations

(2006 model)