Hitch - retrofit kit - $630?

Oaktree · #1 06-30-2012, 02:38 PM

Ok, after hearing multiple stories how easy the progidy wireless brake controller works I figured out my pins are not powered correctly on the 7 pin. After 3 calls, 2 service appointments and 1 yr they are telling me I need an retrofit kit for my hitch and it was not part of the original sales agreement last April - so I need to pay for it, $630.
Has anyone heard of this? Who buys a hitch that doesn't work correctly?

blue dragon · #2 06-30-2012, 07:17 PM

^^ Are you using the OE harness? Is this an OE hitch? The OE harness came with some extra pins specifically for use with a brake controller. I can take a picture of those pins if you want, they are still in my garage somewhere.

Oaktree · #3 06-30-2012, 07:36 PM

Yes, oe hitch, BMW installed. Pics would help but according to them I need a new retrofit harness.

ard · #4 07-02-2012, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oaktree

Yes, oe hitch, BMW installed. Pics would help but according to them I need a new retrofit harness.

Posting issues... anyone notice that sometimes you cannot make a post if it includes any smilies? Just hangs, never posts.... hmmmm

watrob · #5 07-02-2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ard

Posting issues... anyone notice that sometimes you cannot make a post if it includes any smilies? Just hangs, never posts.... hmmmm

My system has just started to thats as well, cannot post any smiles, just jumps back to posting and i have to start all over again, thing some microsoft update has change my windows explorer setting.

ard · #6 06-30-2012, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oaktree

Ok, after hearing multiple stories how easy the progidy wireless brake controller works I figured out my pins are not powered correctly on the 7 pin. After 3 calls, 2 service appointments and 1 yr they are telling me I need an retrofit kit for my hitch and it was not part of the original sales agreement last April - so I need to pay for it, $660.
Has anyone heard of this? Who buys a hitch that doesn't work correctly?

What precisely did the sales agreement say?? Sounds like they F'd you last April, and now they are playing dumb.

Did they sell you a "BMW Hitch"? Yes or no?

Did the sales order specifically exclude electrical components and/or programming? If NO, then THEY are on the hook to make it work.

BMWAG has a documented work instruction that defines "how to install a BMW hitch on an X5"...if a BMW dealer installs a hitch, THEY are responsible for doing EVERY STEP in that work instruction unless the customer has agreed, in writing, for something different or less complete. This means install a harness AND code the car to properly power the pins

I am sure they are going to use "oh, you are not using a BMW controller and THAT is your problem"...tell them to pound sand- and provide and appropriately wired pinout....the controller should not matter, if they provide the proper signals to the pins. To protect yourself from this game, keep the ccomplaint and words in the work order to very narrowly defined phrases: "power to pin 7", etc...DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO WRITE "does not work with customer supplied controller" etc...

Report back

A

ChuckG · #7 06-30-2012, 08:35 PM

ard,

You would think that the trailer brake wiring would be done with the initial install but with BMW they only do it when you have them install their trailer brake controller.

Oaktree,
you do not need the extra harness with the wireless brake controller. That harness runs wires from the front wired controller to the back. They have to do a lot of work taking things apart to run the wires from the front to the back. You will need some extra wiring but not the whole thing. I will post some instructions when I get home.

Chuck

ard · #8 06-30-2012, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckG

ard,

You would think that the trailer brake wiring would be done with the initial install but with BMW they only do it when you have them install their trailer brake controller.

Chuck

So YOU have personally verified the written TSB states this?

or are you just listening to the dealer?

Here is what I found...http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...tch-towbar.pdf

Remember, I have no dog in this hunt, so I didnt spend much time on this. Sit down with the service rep and ask him to show you the SIB he used when they dod the install that says "dont program it and dont install the harness UNLESS you install the brake controller"

You would be the FIRST person for which this is true...many, many. many owners here who got the hitch installed WITH the harness AND the cabling and never installed a controller...

GL

A

Oaktree · #9 07-01-2012, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckG

ard,

You would think that the trailer brake wiring would be done with the initial install but with BMW they only do it when you have them install their trailer brake controller.

Oaktree,
you do not need the extra harness with the wireless brake controller. That harness runs wires from the front wired controller to the back. They have to do a lot of work taking things apart to run the wires from the front to the back. You will need some extra wiring but not the whole thing. I will post some instructions when I get home.

Chuck

Thank you.

Yes, this was a BMW installed and purchased trailer hitch.

Here is the invoice and from what I think I'm hearing this is just the wiring harness to run the BMW brake controller?

ChuckG · #10 06-30-2012, 11:25 PM

ard,
I have the installation instructions for both the hitch and wiring and also the instructions for the brake controller. The hitch and wiring instructions does not include the brake wiring being connected. This is also what was done on my X5. I have not done the brake controller yet. The wiring harness shown in the PDF you reference does not have wires connected for the brakes.
Chuck