2007 X5 Trailer Wiring Harness
 

I have installed a trailer hitch and BMW wiring harness on my 2007 X5. Hitch went on with no problems I found it pretty easy to do the hitch install. Got a Hidden Hitch that does not require any cutting on the facia. Hitch receiver actually comes out just under the facia. Also installed the BMW wiring harness. Install of the wiring harness also went well. However, I do not have any power to the trailer harness. I know they require a reprogram of the ECU. Is the reprogramming required in order for the wiring to work. I am reveiving no fault codes. Any help or insight would be appreciated. Also has anyone paid to have the coding done, if so how much?

Can you post pictures of your hitch?

I installed the same on my 2001 X5 and it didn't need coding other than to suppress the reversing and fog lights when trailer was connected, but I didn't bother with this.

However a lot more seems to need coding on the e70 - don't the instructions for the harness install state whether coding is necessary?

UK dealers seem to quote upwards of 2 hours labour for a progman update/recode, although this probably consists of plugging in, and pressing "OK" a few times in between cups of tea...:rolleyes:

Yes. The instructions do indicate that a recoding is necessary. I was looking for someone who has experienced this on a 2007 X5. I was a little surprised that I did not get any power to the wiring harness terminal that mounts to the trailer hitch. That seems odd to me but could be related to the recoding. Anybody else do their own install and experience this? I have an appointment to have my ECU reprogrammed tomorrow. Will let everyone know the outcome.

Has anyone else intalled their own hitch and wiring harness? IF so did the wiring harness work without a reflash of the PCU by the dealer?

Sorry but...

:worthless:

Installed a BMW hitch on my 07 X5 ast year and all lights except for the brake lights worked. There was a code that poped up each time the car was started to remind you to have it programmed.

After programming everything worked fine.

Don't know about hidden hitch - but you should receive some indication that programming needs to be done if the X5 sees the hitch wiring.

Brought my X5 in to BMW dealership today. They reprogrammed the ECU and everything works fine. Sorry about the lack of pictures but I do not know how to post them. I would definitely recommend this approach to anyone with some mechanical ability. Total cost of hitch, wiring harness and reprogamming was $680 vs $1200 from BMW. Also the hitch I used is totally hidden except for the receiver and did not require any cutting of the rear bumper. If someone can tell me how to post pictures I will gladly take a few and post them.

When you click on the post reply button, the dialog box that comes up includes formatting and other tools on the top. Click on the "paper clip" button and the upload file(s) dialog will pop up.

I Installed a hidden hitch (very clean & easy)

Also Installed BMW trailer wiring harness & control module.
(little trickey getting wires connected into fuse block)
Make CERTAIN you take your time & connect in correct position.

There were no faults indicated until you connect to a trailer.
* "check trailer brake light" message in service messages*
Need to reprogram to recognize trailer module.