01 Auto Headlamp Retrofit Issues - Please Help!

[n_sievers]

I have access to all modules through obd2 connector as it is a late 01 and does not have the 20 pin connector under the hood. I can access the sensor through INPA to see the values, errors etc. but NCS does not display the RLS as the vehicle is an 01 and therefore RLS was not an option (AIC instead)

[Rondo]

you can change the year of manufacture in ncs temporarily to read and code the RLS

[n_sievers]

Would you be so kind as to give me some guidance on how to do that, it would be greatly appreciated!

[Rev Engineer]

I think this is the part you're missing. I recall needing to change the production date so the car is coded for RLS vs AIC. There are 2 programs out there for determining the VO and modifying options. Look for ZEKO and "Decode BMW Order" by MALIBOO. You'll add option 0521 for Rain-sensing (maybe you already did this?). Then, update the production date in ZEKO to something in 02 or 03 (or use the date that was in the LCM IV) and I think you'll find the C3 key change to something slightly different. Recode with the new VO and I think you might be in business.

Did you save the coding from the LCM IV? You can learn some things by comparing the coding and VO that's stored in the LCM IV and the original LCM III.

I didn't struggle too much with updating the options and re-coding, but I had a heck of a time with getting rain-sensing to work (reading 255 values in the RLS module). Auto headlamp worked right away. Turned out that was the prism to windshield interface. I later found that Home Depot sells 3M VHB tape and works well for attaching the prism to the windshield.

[n_sievers]

I think I have successfully download the ZEKO files now just need to figure out how to operate and accomplish the year change. Unfortunately I did not save the previous programming from the LCM4 I installed but I do have another LCM4 that has is original coding and could use that if necessary but not clear what I would need it for. When updating the LCM4 I did compare and make several updates so that the new LCM4 reflected same values as the originally installed LCM3 had but there were many (more) fields that were not the same or additional so did not alter those. When I look at the VO it already has 0521 as it did come from factory with rain sensing wipers (AIC).

[Rev Engineer]

When it comes to re-coding BMWs, there really is a lot to know! I seem to get things figured out and then quickly forget some details... I should have taken better notes, but I at least saved some screen captures so I have a record of my original VO and the new VO. I also saved the coding files so I could revert back if needed.

If I understand things correctly, there are 2 ways to go about coding. You can read the coding and edit with something like NCS Dummy. (NCS Dummy is also nice for comparing coding files.) The other method is to use NCS Expert and tell it what the VO numbers are and let it recode based on the VO values (GM, SA, VN).

When you first use NCS Expert, you usually start out with reading the ZCS from the EWS or KMBI and this is simply pulling the VO from one of thoes modules in the car. When you want to set your own VO, you use the option "Enter ZCS" This prompts you to enter the VIN/FG and the other values (GM, SA, VN). With these values, NCS Expert now knows how to code everything in the vehicle to a stock configuration (without needing to read any modules).

I believe I did my coding with the VO values I figured out with ZEKO. When I changed the production date via ZEKO, the C3/VN number changed to something slightly different. I went back to NCS Expert and recoded based on the new VO values. I used the production date that was in the LCM IV (17.08.02). AIC and RLS are very different, so it makes sense there is a coding difference.

You mentioned the differences between the LCM III and the IV. I believe this is why I went the VO route as you don't have to pick and chose which settings to change. Use the VO values calculated with ZEKO and let NCS Expert code as the factory would. The LCM IV I used had coding for Xenon lights and other stuff that my X5 doesn't have, another reason to code via the VO and not just change individual settings. Once the stock configuration is set, I'll then tweak some setting I like with BMW Scanner v1.4 (light turning off the gong sounds).

The nice thing with coding is that you can always code back to the original setting, so don't worry too much about messing things up as long as you saved the original trace file.

[n_sievers]

I'm actually traveling for business this week and when I get home this weekend going to give it another shot. I was determined to do this retrofit and it has really proven to be difficult one.... I am getting discouraged as I have spent so much time and money to do it and cant seem to get the bugs worked out... I don't want to abandon the project yet and revert everything back to original and really appreciate everyone who has contributed knowledge so far!

[n_sievers]

So I'm back at trying to get this figured out and have pretty much determined that the first 3 RLS modules were defective as they all had a missing resistor from the circuit board. I now have one from a Z4 and have determined that in order to get that to work I will need to definitely code it for the e39/e53 settings. I cannot seem to figure out how to temporarily change the manufacture date as to allow me to see and access the RLS. I have downloaded ZEKO but am pretty much stumped on what to do.

[n_sievers]

So I'd like to report that I have successfully completed this retrofit! I finally figured out how to generate the proper codes in ZEKO for use in NCS as to allow for the RLS to be seen and the correct values to be set for e39/e53 and also to select my climate comfort windshield. Unfortunately that was not the only issue as it still did not work off the bat but then after more troubleshooting was able to determine the IR filter/mounting plate (purchased new online) was the culprit and luckily one of the RLS sensors I got off of ebay came with one and when I swapped, VOILA, it worked perfectly!