When your LCM says "I'm outta here!" (and REALLY means it)
 

Attached pics are my LCM after it threw a tantrum and melted down. 3:30 am, there was a bang and alarm went off and lots commotion, various lights on, etc. We could smell it and really were hoping it burned down since insurance probably > sale price of a 17 year old X5, but no joy. (it's street parked, so just excitement without collateral damage.)

Currently, everything else seems to work (except lighting, obviously). Starts, clear dash, no issues, the suspension levels, radio plays, drives without dash malfunction lights, etc.

I have an article on bimmerforums whereby someone lists out the steps to code another LCM using NS Expert, which I have and have used to code steering position sensor, so I can do that if necessary.

I'm of the opinion I really don't care if I get a tamper light (i.e., if I cannot fix this cheap and keep driving, I'm just going to take to salvage yard anyway).

If I don't care about a tamper light, can I just plug and play another LCM then? This is my car used for commuting and sitting in a parking lot all day. Not an important member of the fam.

I'll investigate the drain tubes behind the A pillars. And in the meantime I have a replacement ebay unit on the way. Watch out for those wet footwells!

Wow. Holy shit. Isn’t the tamper dot not an issue if the one you get has less mileage? It will update to higher mileage and no dot. At least that’s what I heard. Can’t confirm it.

That’s what I’ve read also.

I ordered a module, unknown mileage.
If I end up with a dot, I guess I’ll live with it and use the car as normal. If ever an issue I know a new LCM would take care of the issue, but I’m not really looking to ever sell the car, just use it until something serious happens and then junk yard it.

You can change the VIN and mileage on the replacement LCM with BMW Scanner 1.4. I upgraded my LCM in my E46 and it worked like a charm.

How to code a used LCM with PASoft/BMW Scanner doityourself

Quote:

Originally Posted by [B civdiv99][/B] That’s what I’ve read also.

Nope...the tamper dot will illuminate if the VIN written to the IKE and LCM do NOT match.


See the 1st data point in the info below about REDUNDANT DATA STORAGE:

^That really sucks in the case of having to replace an LCM. Good information though... wonder if anyone offers a service of zero'ing out an LCM and/or blanking the VIN to replicate a new module? Seems that would be a very lucrative service.

Follow the instructions I posted. You can change the VIN and mileage on the LCM for the price of a BMW Scanner 1.4.

I’d need to buy the PA Soft scanner from somewhere. I’ve written to modules with NCS Expert, so I’ll make that my first shot.

I’m really not concerned about a tamper dot. I’d just like the lights to work so I can use the car this winter.

I don't know how "lucrative" it is...but there are vendors and even BMW enthusiasts that have started performing this service.

The first one that comes to mind is Paul (Blackknight530i on Bimmerforums). I believe he also has a Facebook contact ("fixels"...a play on fix & pixels). Paul is one of those BMW enthusiasts that figured out how to make an M instrument cluster (from the e38/e39/e46/e53 era) work "fully" in a non M BMW of that generation...as well as repairs the pixel issue. So he's found himself in a unique position of being an instrument cluster guru. :)

Due to most forum rules...you'll have to contact him by PM (private message) if you can find him on a forum you're registered with...or seek him out on Facebook.

EDIT: just tried a quick google search and found a thread on BimFest about the same topic. Scroll down to posts #7, #8, & #9...the latter two posts have links to his facebook and email: https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=987042

Thank you Qsilver. Noted for future use.