ICE LINK PLUS Install - with CD changer

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by X5Sport

I have a copy of the 2B2 firmware and installation instructions - send me a PM and I'll get them over to you. I was able to get them from the US site (now down) as the European one would not allow downloads for some odd reason. It's a zip file with two pdf docs and the upgrade. You do it via iTunes and then plug into the car.

I have had no end of trouble with the IceLink>Plus on my 05 X5 with Nav/Tv, OBC and CD Changer. I had the unit professionally installed because of the other changes in the wiring loom that were required. It seems there are particular issues with the Diesel versions (no idea why but more people have commented who have diesels) with all the options other than DSP fitted, but the firmware has never been upgraded by Dension beyond 2B2.

I only use the Ipod Gui now without the text appearing on the car as using the text on Nav or OBC keeps hanging the iPod and requiring resets. I kept losing control of the device and evetually got a replacement interface for the X5 but it made no difference. The firmnware change made it slightly more usable and stable, but only slightly. UK Dealer Support was awful, and Dension (Europe) never ever responded.

If I could find DICE in the UK I would probably now change over. Is there a connection between the two names as the websites look very similar format?

I've had it two years now and if the car is left more than 3 days the iPod does a soft reset (apple logo screen) and then comes back to life. No idea why, but it's a pain!!

Dension pulled out of the states back in in early 06, DICE was designed with the ice>Link's fault in mind. The ice>Link devices were awesome in working condition, but the last production run were very unreliable.

If you are looking into the DICE, we can definitely ship to the UK, only a module would be needed - you can retain your existing wiring.

[X5Sport]

Originally Posted by RichardP1

Thats just the iPod going into deep sleep. The older iPods do this, the newer ones use Hibernation which does not reset the iPod as deep sleep does.

You can prevent the iPod from going into deep sleep by putting an empty file called _no_deepsleep in the hidden folder ipod_control\device on the iPod.

It only started doing it about 6 weeks ago. I'm also suspicious about the vehicle battery as starting it after a week is becoming chancy too. BMW can't find anything wrong - oh where have we heard that line before?!

Thanks for the tip though.

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by X5Sport

It only started doing it about 6 weeks ago. I'm also suspicious about the vehicle battery as starting it after a week is becoming chancy too. BMW can't find anything wrong - oh where have we heard that line before?!

Thanks for the tip though.

Well, being an aftermarket part - BMW really isn't responsible if the ice>Link is to blame. A power draw test would determine this on the spot.

[X5Sport]

The dealer can't find any current drain at present - other than what is supposed to be there (about 30mA).

I'd be surprised if it was the Ice>Link as I thought with the vehicle shut down, it shut down. I have - or at least had - charging set up to run only when the audio is selected to the iPod and otherwise it's off, but I may need to check it again in case it's changed when the battery was dissed in March - car was flat after we came back from 2 weeks abroad. No ipod on board at the time. The fun started after that.

Bring back simple cars with easy to fix problems.

[RichardP1]

A modern car battery, which is designed to provide high starting current, will be pretty much runined by letting it go completly flat even once. The design of a standby power battery, for deep cycling, is quite different to a battery designed for high current output.