I-Bus is a data bus that is in the car.

The Resler I-Bus adapter is an I-Bus-to-USB converter that allows android devices (equipped with a USB port) to read data from the I-Bus.

Couple a Resler I-Bus-to-USB adapter with an Android device running the I-Bus android app and you have a very decent monitoring system.

https://shop.ibus-app.de/en/

https://shop.ibus-app.de/media/image...g8RJmiT9qS.jpg

The Avin unit, IBUS App and Resler device are worth it for that screen there alone. There are several options available within some of those items as well, like HP can give you a torque read out.

Notes for future install of Resler-IBUS adapter + app +license
 

Looks like what I want in the future, for when I get an Android radio (if my other attempts fail, or the radio I have fails). Thanks for the confirmation!

Since the DSP option wasn't shown on my VIN, and the Android head units I looked at all have their own form of DSP, then I don't see a need for the DSP option on the IBUS adapter options. It's going on my Christmas wish list, but I'm trying the cheaper Bimmer-tool app first.

Autool x60. Amazon. Works amazingly well!!!

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Info page states it works on Euro vehicles from 2005 onwards, and also states the BMW years of 2002 thru 2010, specifically. Mines a 2001 so it probably won't work. Sent from my SM-G955U using Xoutpost.com mobile app

taking the trunk apart to see what's there and what's not
 

The Blaupunkt is all I need for my minimal music requirements; I normally drive just listening to the engine, or when in traffic, to local sports radio. If the wife is in the vehicle, then I'll play music, mostly to entertain her (and fill in the awkward silence). I mainly want the readouts, not the music, that an Android head unit would provide, so if there's another way to get that info without changing radios, that'll be OK. I'm also content with using a tablet for Google maps, so a NAV screen isn't a priority, either.

Tried Bimmer-Tool Lite app today; it wouldn't connect thru my OBDLink LX bluetooth dongle (I use it for Torque and OBDLink apps), so I'm ordering the K+D CAN cable for the recommended method that Bimmer-Tool website shows. It'll be here tomorrow, so I can try it then. If it doesn't work for this problem, it'll be on hand when/if I get the INPA/ISTA/PASOFT/Wink/NCSExpert- whatever PC-based programming laptop, later on.

Also, I asked my EE friend to come over tomorrow also, so he can walk me thru what he did electrically, and why, and so I can find what I can use, or fix it. He agreed to appear. The "Avin Android HU/Resler adapter/IBUS app" combo is on my wishlist, anyway, as a last resort.

I dis-assembled the trunk area to look and see what's there: a mystery-heavy black-cut-cable leading nowhere, a cut red battery cable, a module behind the rear seat (with the yellow wire of the rudimentary 4-way trailer wiring spliced into a red wire coming from it), and a metal covered module on the left side, that I can't identify (looks like it has junkyard lettering on it, in yellow). Other than the two cut cables, there are four un-damaged connectors in the trunk. I hope we can identify some of it.

Some progress made; no wiring cut, but mysteries still remain
 

My friend, the previous owner #2, informed me that he had removed the previous radio and MID panel, and thinks they might be in storage. He said the radio worked, and he didn't cut any wiring when he installed the Blaupunkt. If so, then the Resler IBUS adapter will go in nicely, or an Avant head unit, if/when I get around to it.

While inspecting the wiring in the trunk, he said that the big "cut" grounding cable went to a big amplifier/subwoofer the previous owner #1 had removed, and the "cut" positive cable also. PO #2 explained the bad 4-way trailer wiring as being a midnight rush-job (to be easily tidied-up, later).

We couldn't identify the two modules back there in the trunk: the white module behind the rear seat, and the other under the left panel floor (no other module or previously-used connectors found; none in the right panel either). Can anyone identify the mysteries in this photo (as well as those three in the previous post)?
Attachment 81043

I received the "k-Can" USB cable today, and it connected immediately to the "Bimmer-Tool Lite" (for testing) android app. To get the features I need, I'll get the paid ($16) version, and see if it'll be enough for now.

White module is master junction/fuse panel.

Black connector looks to be the factory speaker wiring connector, which is often in this location since in many versions the stereo receiver and amp is tucked in next to the battery.

The PDC control module is also down in there, along with tht trailer module (where fitted).

it always helps to know the terrain...
 

The X5 is becoming less of a mystery every week. I've had little experience with modules and/or stereo wiring in newer (post 60's-70's), except for using Crutchfield stereos, installation kits, and instruction sheets on my old '86 S-10 (Pioneer stereo, installed in 1990), and on my '04 Chevy 2500 HD (Pioneer stereo + a separate Sirius tuner, installed in the glovebox in 2005). So far, I've never had any module problems in any vehicle, so I never had to trace their locations.

So far, the upgraded app only gives me oil temp and coolant temp, but not transmission temp or oil pressure, as preliminary settings promised. I bought a K-line usb adapter (mine's a 2001 X5, that doesn't have d-line comms, as I understand it), so there'd be no confusion hooking up.

The app connects easily on my old smartphone I've dedicated to the X5 project (Samsung SM-J327A), but so far not to my Samsung SM-G955U (S8+), even when I've turned off wi-fi and bluetooth, to avoid interference. I'll try my Lenovo TB 8504F next, but I'm not yet done experimenting.