At this point I'm not convinced (edit: I stand corrected. Proof that coding is needed for X5's built after 10/01 is here: Xoutpost.com - View Single Post - Trailer Hitch (union county, NJ).) that the X5 does require coding after the module is installed. It certainly isn't mentioned in the instructions that were included with my hitch kit.

With that said, I did have my X coded for the hitch. At the time I thought it would fix the blinker problems I was having with my trailer (LED lighting), but it made no difference at all. I ended up fixing the problem by wiring a resistor in line on each LED tail, which causes the X to see it as a standard bulb/light. Everything has worked perfectly since then, and I've towed 2500+ miles.

Given that the resistors only cost me $20, and the install was simple, I'm very happy with the solution.

Can you post a copy/scan of those instructions?

And I can confirm that the OEM trailer/towing module does in fact need to be encoded to the vehicle. The vehicles encoding sets the vehicle order which is what all modules and options are installed. Otherwise the rest of the vehicle (lamp module, DSC module etc.) doesn't even know it's there to let/make it work.

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These are the same instructions: http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/X5_trailer_hitch.pdf

Are you sure? Those instructions are for the euro hitch, not the US version.

You're right, those aren't the same ones. Surely the US version has been scanned somewhere already?

Weasel - could you provide some documentation that refers to the need for coding? I have not seen anything, even after asking the dealer that did the coding.

That set of instructions is only for the towing hitch, there is another set of instructions for the "retrofit wiring harness." Those instructions include the info on coding, see below (which are also for the euro hitch btw):

This should confirm to some unnamed people (SIGNMARK) that when in doubt Weasel is always right! Game. Set. Match.

Attached Images

 

Thanks! It's nice to see evidence that the X5 (at least 10/01 and up) needs to be coded - I hadn't previously seen that set of instructions.

Makes me feel better that I didn't waste time going to the dealer to have that change made.

I believe the trailer stability stuff was introduced 10/01, thus the need for coding. Glad to help.