How to activate the Bluetooth?
 

Does it automatically show up if you set your phone to discover mode? I found in my manual what looks like the passkey to the BT module the previous owner had installed. But when I tried to discover it, nothing showed up. Is there something I have to do to make it discoverable? Where would this module be located, if in fact, it was installed by previous owner.

I just got a 04 4.8is.

TIA!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Motorola Assist/BT module installed in the 2004 X5's had the BT functionality disabled. You have to install an Assist/BT module from a 2005 or 2006 X5 in order to make it functional.

Mother*#*$@#* BMW. Thanks for letting me know

BTW, I wonder if this is a software limitation that can be reprogrammed somehow? I'm gonna ask my buddy who's a tech to check for me.

Yeah, I said the same thing when I found out my I couldn't do the bluetooth thing either. So I ended up buying one from a 2006 on fleabay. Been happy ever since.

As far as I know it is a hardware limitation and cannot be turned on via software.

Hardware limitation unfortunately. Same goes for 2005 TCU's not having the voice activation functionality. That was added in 2006. To get it for a 2005 TCU you need hardware.

I'm going to call BMW NA customer relations and see what the deal is with the BT. Why have a card included in the manual/books that has the BT Passkey, info, etc when its turned off. I want to find out from the horses mouth. LOL.

I think its something similar to what Apple did when they came out with wireless N in some of their iMacs/Macbooks but it was turned off. You had to buy a $2 patch and it enabled the hardware. Then subsequent builds came with it enabled. Sounds like what BMW has done here with the 04s.

I'll let you guys know what I find.

BMW already has a technical bulletin issued on this. Reference the second bullet point on page 2 - http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/841304.pdf

Well, thats clears it up tremendously. Thanks everyone. I'll stop beating the dead horse now :(

BTW, how for an 05 or 06 TCU unit and can I DIY? And what does TCU stand for?

Telematics Control Unit. If you intend on keeping BMW Assist then you'll need the TCU with bluetooth. They are not cheap and will need to be coded by the dealer to work properly. What a lot of people seem to be doing is that once their BMW Assist subscription expires they choose not to renew it (since 99.99% of people have cell phones with them at all times) and by the BMW bluetooth module called the ULF which gives you everything you need except for the BMW Assist functionality. It also does not require coding by BMW so it's more of a plug and play option. See this site for all the info you could possibly want on it. Bimmernav is top shelf and a sponsor of this site I believe.

BMW Bluetooth X5 retrofit - Bimmernav BMW Upgrades

Ok everyone I have tried to ask this many times, but I have an 05 4.8is, and an Iphone, just bought the suv a month ago and have my phone in discovery mode and tried everything.... BMW told me the first 5 minutes when the BMW is started it is in discovery mode, but my phone doesn't find ANYTHING....

HELP!!!! What is the trick?

THanks

I wanted to make a clarification. The build date of your 2004 matters in figuring out whether you have bluetooth or not. Also, it helps determine if you can swap out the old TCU with a newer TCU. If you have the pre March 2004 build, you cannot update the TCU. Your only option is to update the Bluetooth Module and deactivate the BMW assist module. I have linked a thread on the bluetooth forum that discusses this.

Mgweir21,
Are you following the instructions on the home page for connecting to the bluetooth module for the 2005? I believe you don't start the car first. You just need to have the key in position 2 I believe. I have included another link.

Good luck!

Yes, I have tried every combination in the world, not luck.... lol Iphone 3g too

Michael

You could have a bad TCU. If you are still under warranty then have BMW look at the vehicle and replace it if so.

His car is an 8/04 build

Mgweir21,

My 3G iPhone connects fine with my bluetooth module in my 2006 4.8is. I had "issues" connecting my phone at first as well. I would start the car all the way instead of leaving it in position 2. Also, I had to delete all of the previous pairing on my iPhone before hand, I think the iPhone was trying to connect with the previously established devices before the car, YMMV. Also make sure the iPhone is in discovery mode before you turn the key to position 2.

Good luck!

Hey! Welcome to the 8/04 build club ;) with no functional BT.

I have a 1/05 production date, dealer says it's functional, when I press the R/T button while driving it says no entries in phonebook lol...

Jsears, how do you "Delete" other pairings.... how do you even get into that mode? In regards to having your iPhone in paring mode, you mean just go into settings then general then bluetooth and leave it on that screen?

Thanks

In the X5 you do not delete any pairings. From my understanding the X5 B/T can make up to 4 pairings. Once the 4 pairings have been met the next time you pair a device with the X5 it will delete the 1st pairing that was created.

When I said I had to delete the other pairings I meant on my iPhone, also make sure there are no other B/T devices around when you pair. When I got my X5 I paired my phone at the dealership and I was confused of which car was really mine since I got 10 BMW's in discovery mode. But it should show up as BMWXXXXX where the X's are the final 5 digits of your VIN number.

Make sure you are on the B/T screen on your iPhone, this will tell you if you are discoverable and also that it has located the car's B/T. Once I figured out the flow of directions I had no issues connecting.

If you press 'Menu' on your navigation and go into the Phone menu does it list your iPhone's name in there? If so, that means your B/T is already paired. It took a while for the phonebook to sync to the X5 for me, but while it was syncing I could make calls by dialing the number.

I find it odd that the dealer checked out your B/T but did not help you establish the pairing with your iPhone.

Yeah, then the mechanic calls me and tells me how to do it, but still no luck... wonder if my phone bluetooth even works lol... maybe my iPhone is bad, I'll have to try to pair a blue tooth headset tonight to make sure it's not the phone.

Thanks for all your help.

I have a 2005 X5, I have the navigation. I have the R/T and the Voice button on the steering wheel. But when I go into the Navigation, i don't see the "Telephone" option listed. I do see that the overhead console has the BMW Assist buttons, but when I push those, nothing happens.

The Navigation works fine, CD Changer works great, Tape (yeah, its got cassette!) works great... I need to figure this out.

Someone mention that if you don't have BMW Assist, the unit shuts down and no longer works.

I'm a little lost here. I have no idea if the BT even is installed, but it must of been since the passkey card is in my manual...

HELP!

First thing you need to do is check to see if the TCU is even installed. It should be located in the left rear electronics bay, down in to lower well area.

I have a 2005 4.8is with nav and BT... My phone finds the car fine but I don't have my passkey...looked in all the documentation and it isn't there... Will BMW provide it to me?

and why is there a red light lit on top of the phone button?

How long have you had the car?

Just picked it up from the dealer thursday

Check out the manual here. There is also tons of great info.

X5world

thanks a lot Meister... this car is so loaded that it might be a while until I have a grasp of all the options

Enjoy & congrats. :thumbup:

BTW, you can find the passkey on the TCU module itself. There will be a sticker on it and the 4 digit passkey is on that sticker. No need to go to the dealer. Here is an example. "PK" is the passkey.

how do I locate the TCU?

ya know what... I just found out the dealer gave me a wrong set of owner's manual... I confirmed it by trying my spare key and it's not working... after a close look they game me a Z4 set of books with a Z4 key spare key.

I definitely have to go back now and get my proper documentation

What a bonehead dealer. TCU is on the left side of the trunk. Remove the left side trunk panel (where the nav system & cd changer (if you have it) are located). Look down. The TCU is the rectangular aluminum module, about 4" x 9" (rough estimate from memory). You'll need to remove the black plastic panel that is partially covering it (2 or 3 plastic screws). The TCU is fixed in that locatation with a bracket. You might be able to read the label without removing the bracket, but maybe not, don't remember. Should take you 15 minutes to find it. Get it and write it down in a safe place.

Look at the tip of the blue arrow in the picture. Ignore the red arrow.

Ok, I took this to the dealer (BMW). They brought it into look at the vehicle (spent 15 - 20 minutes). It in fact has the TCU (I saw the picture someone posted and yes, it looks just like that), the manager said they tried a "hard reset" on the TCU and still could not solve the problem and want the vehicle for the day to resolve the issue -- he stated that sometimes the TCU needs to be recoded.

I suspect he knows more about this than I do. My feeling is that the prior owner had BMW Assist, let the subscription run out thus disabling the TCU unit in the car, which requires the dealer to go in and do *something* to solve the problem.

However, I'm skeptical. I'm afraid that this is basically a "reset" someplace and I'm going to pay $500 to fix something that is going to be nothing more than a couple minutes of work.

Couple of things. I don't know anything about your car and it's TCU module, but there was a recall on a bunch and those needed recoding, etc. In addition, yes the system need to be re-initialized. I can't recall if it is covered under a warranty or not. Have to look.

Well, my car is out of warranty as it has 51K and is a 2005. Unfortunately.
The service manager mentioned a "bulletin", so If its a recall, is that covered?

Is your car CPO?

I went to the dealer today and picked up the right owner's manual as well as the 2 set of spare keys and valet key

passkey code leaflet was in the kit and boom... as easy as blinking an eye my blackberry 8820 connected to my nav system and uploaded all address book... I'm a happy camper

:thumbup:

Not a recall. A reactivation of it is required if it has not been used.

Phone Manuals - Broken Links
 

These links are all broken - are these manuals available anywhere else?

I apologize to be so ignorant on this subject, so please bear with me.

I have a 2004 3.0 with Nav and I believe to be bluetooth. I have the passkey in the glovebox.

If I turn on the car and hit the call (little guy with waves on steering wheel), I get a message stating that Verizon wireless is not working. If I hold that button or the R/T button, nothing happens.

I've tried to find devices with the phone right after to car starts to no avail. I have a Samsung Instinct.

What am I doing wrong? If its a outdated hardware issue, what do I need? I click on the bimmernav site but it looks like a full retrofit. It seems to me that I have all the parts already. Additionally, I have a mic I haven't seen in a picture yet. Its next to the homelink and drops down about 1/2 inch in a semi-circle manner.