Windows and remote control
 

Question for the experts. I recently found out that if you keep the unlock button on the remote, after a while the windows and roof open to air the car. It does not seem to close them with the lock button (or at least I was not able). Anyone knows if there is a way. My former piece of junk Mercedes had the feature open close.

this is an 01 3.0 X5 and asking is always better than reading the manual!!! :p

Thanks

That's normal. There's no auto close function.

Yeah, you could possibly kill someone if they/you weren't paying attention.
Remember the French Revolution...

JV

The OEM remote only allows you to open the windows, not close them :tsk:

Parag from TVonNav was working on an e53 version of their iWindows product, but I'm not sure where it stands at the moment - http://tvonnav.com/iwindows.html

Thanks guy, too bad will have to keep closing each window. Such an effort!! But I would close them with the old fashion lever rather than going back to the piece of S...T Mercedes!

I heard that you can do the auto-close on X5 in some other countries but not in US for safety reasons :dunno: .

Forgive me if folks are already aware of this, but instead of opening back up the door to close each window, inserting the key into the door and holding the lock position will close all windows and the moonroof.

you mean, you actually have to put the key in the keyhole? Haven't done that in years.

:iagree: This was exactly the way on my old E46. I haven't tried it on the X5 yet but i'm sure its the same way as well.

Cool, I am going to my garage right now to try it out. You want us to get really fatigued huh? putting the key in..keeping pressure in counter clock wise position....I will need a rest after that! Why not a button !!!

in regards to who said something about some US regulation, it makes sense but I had that close feature in my previous MB so it must be some other reason.

Silentx5, you are right, just tried it. You keep the key in the lock position and voila all windows and roof close

Yeah in Aus if you keep your finger on unlock it opesns windows and sunroof. Hold on Lock and it closes everything up.

In the Dubai and the lock button does close the windows and roof when held.

It isn't US regulation, but it very likely is fear of US litigation.

Down south. we are able to close any open item on the X be keeping the lock button depressed (roof/windows). Our keys are recoded for this feature. I`m still not sure why this can not be standard in the States.

Cheers,

Just tried locking my X and the windows/sunroof close using the OEM key remote. This is a UK spec car..but the controlling software can't be too different. Its got to be worth asking a dealer if its a function they can enable in the US - i'm sure they'll have you signing a disclaimer!

the only thing i noticed is my driver side window opens quicker than that passenger so when i do that they are not even WTF

Juan: where's your post saying that if he had a Mac and remote control he wouldn't have an issue? :p

:bustingup

On my European X5 I can open and close windows via the oem remote.Not Auto,I have to keep pressing the remote to open/close but as soon as I stop pressing ,the window opening/closing will stop!I believe that in the past you could do it automatically(full closing/opening by just pressing once),but there was an accident with a child and this feature correctly was disabled.

OK so lets figure this out!!

I want to be able to open and close via the remote!! I am not happy with only opening!!

I don't beleive the dealer can make this change via the software.

window / remote
 

Me too, I am no expert, but I think that if you can close the windows by using the keys in the lock position (by putting them in the keyhole), there must be a way to do it from the keys.

Someone in this forum probably knows.

Can it be done? sure. One example is the TVonNav iWindows product I referenced above. What you need to do is figure out the i-bus (or is is k-bus :dunno: ) commands that trigger this and build a module that can intercept the signals from the remote control and translate it into the appropriate bus commands to send to the vehicle. Get a couple EE's and software engineers together for a weekend, buy a couple cases of beer, and knock it out :thumbup:

I think on European models you can close the window from the remote. There's a product called iWindows that I saw for sale on Bimmerfest where it will let you roll them up. There's also an option with that where you can install a separate rain sensor so it will automatically put them up when it begins to rain. I think that it's only for the E46 3-Series, though... IDK if it'll work on an E53. I don't know why BMW doesn't bring the features it has on its Euro models here... Especially if it's something simple like that.

Yes mine does close the windows and roof Mine is a UK car.Rain sensors come as standard on UK cars too.

Has anyone talked to the dealer about enabling the function??

Or is the alarm module different?

(maybe we can just chance the module.)

I would think it could be programmed with DIS. I am taking mine in next week to make some software changes. I will ask them about it.

Philip

European spec X's have the open and close feature of the windows as standard, either by standing by the door like a fool with the key in the lock and turned, or the more preferred route of using the key fob lock and unlock buttons.

The post about the safety feature is correct, stop pressing the button and the windows will stop going up or down, quite a nice feature i think as you dont want to capture a child or dog in the door frame.

The rain sensor I have not tested yet, living in Spain and only getting my X in May !! not much rain here, maybe i wait a couple of years to test this ;)

So, I would imagine this is a recode of keys function for those who dont have it ? :dunno: cant see the internal workings being that much different

I was at my dealership this morning, getting the AUX stereo input installed. I asked the manager about the remote window-up issue. She said that it was not something the dealership could enable. I mentioned that this operation was standard on Mercedes in the USA, and in BMW's sold in Europe, and just got a shrug. She then got on the phone immediately, with me standing there, to her "factory rep". He told her "A part is physically removed to prevent this operation on US cars, because of the DOT". He then said what is probably the real truth, as well, saying BMW was scared a dog or kid would get caught in the rising window if done from a distance, where the operator couldn't see.

I haven't tried it, but are they not safety windows in the X? I seem to recall in Lexus' if you put your hand in the window it will automatically stop and roll back down without crushing you at all.

There's a little strip that runs along the top edge of the window frame. If you touch it while the window is going up, then it will stop and go down a few inches.

SO we need to figure out this missing item.

lets strip a euro X5 and an NA X5 to compare the diffenences. :rofl:

If not then maybe we can compare just the part numbers. :D

Would this feature be available if you do not have the alarm option? Tried on mine last night, and didn't work on either the lock/unlock button. :dunno:

not only do i hate this!

But i also hate how, if you open your door while the window is automatically going up, it will stop

I can confirm that my UK 2003 3.0 X5 does close and open using the remote. Also the rain sensor is ok but sometimes it waits just a little too long before clearing. You can alter the sensitivity of the sensor using the intermittent speed adjuster too. They also have the auto light control as standard too.

As an avid X5 World memba, I will donate mine to this project. I will forward any paypal instructions via PM for $120,000.00:bustingup

Yes, That is what we pay in EUland for our rides

Well, that just goes without saying, of course! :D

I just did a little research on part numbers.

Keys - same numbers in USA and EURO
ALarm main module - I could not find it.
ALarm sensor and parts - same numbers

It must be part of the main software in the Brain. :dunno: no idea!!!

Any one else have any findings?

this is true for the X5's? :dunno:

It's not a strip but all bimmer have a window protection system! As soon as it feels a little resistance it'll roll all the way back down. But for some reason that safety is not activated when closing the windows from the outside :dunno: (I actually went out and tried this seems like CJ was right there is a little strip! I am humbled :bow: )

Not sure about the US regulation, but it's a safety issue. You don't want the windows to auto-close as you walk away from the car especially if you have kids, pets or drunk friends sticking their head out the window...

Euro spec vehicles have this feature. So they either have a different "General module" in the car or it's just a simple coding procedure. I'll have to see if my service tech. can check on his Modiac II computer... :dunno: Anyone else have one??

I like this feature(window auto closing).
Have you any news how to enable this feature in USA BMW?

I hope we figure this out or else I may have to just install a timed relay like i did in my acura to simulate holding the key in the lock position and have this relay activated when the doors lock via the oem key fob. I may still do this then I won't have to be holding onto the lock button as a i walk away and run out of range. Although minimizing aftermarket wiring is always good.

it works if you press the lock button on my european x5

Yes, it's like this on my Norvegian E90 also.
Remote open/close of windows/sunroof.
Besides, in Norway, this have been an option ever since E34 was along, that's close to 20 years we've had these feature.
:rolleyes:

Ok so we pretty much know that it is a part that is missing in the US vehicles that will allow for this option from the factory key fob. Is there a way to find out which part this is and how we can go about getting it? I feel as if it would be a bit more of a challenge to get a parts guy at a dealership to try and help out, especially if they think they won't be able to order the part and make the sale. My dealership parts guy tells me that any Euro part # is hard to aquire in a timely manner and sometimes will show as a pending order and never ship.

I'm wondering if it could be as simple as a missing relay and/ or fuse. The function for the windows/ roof down motion exist in both the lock core and key fob, but for the windows/ roof up motion exist in only the lock core and not the key fob. So the missing link is the signal from the fob but because the operation is still functional it leads me to want to check to see if it is possibly just a simple missing set of fuses or relays.

If we can find out what allows for the down feature maybe it will shed a bit of light on how this whole system works.

It sounds as a software issue, i mean, the damn things are going down isn't they?
For sure there can't be parts missing then?
:confused:

On my X5, If you hold the lock button the windows etc close, then in turn if you hold the open button the windows etc open! Its as simple as that and makes perfect sense to me, close to close, open to open!!