Mod Help....
 

Good evening Xoutpost community..."where I'm coming now for the information, and staying later for the friends....":lurking:

I happen to be a huge fan of the Auto Hold feature that each and every 08/09/10 X5 comes with. However, on my 07, the feature was not offered (yet the control light shows in the pod background.) I have a complete center console assembly enroute to me that has the switch and I will be utilizing the switch in my motorcar. For the amount of money I spent, its worth it even if the car error codes out and doesn't work.

The second mod coming is the euro headlight switch assembly, including the rear fog option. The dealer has agreed to reprogram the car if it error codes out.

The big question....for the life of me, I cannot figure out the correct procedure for removing the headlight switch. Do any of the very knowledgable members here have any instruction for me? :popcorn:

The complete center console will be a bear and I might have the dealer perform that one, unless anyone local wants to help me :D

Looking forward to your comments... :thumbup:

You will likely need to remove the vent panel above that. Start prying from the bottom edge of the vent if possible, wiggling it out slowly but firmly. I don't know how they're affixed, but the older BMWs used plastic clips and you don't want to break the tabs or else it'll never fit snugly.

What's the difference with the euro headlight switch??

It has the additional button for the rear fog lights (currently 3 - HUD, Front Fog and dimmer switch.)

Does it get SO foggy there that you need rear foglights?? :stickpoke Or is it just one of those things you want 'cos you don't already have it?? That's the MOD bug alright...

Really???? I didn't want to start the rear fog conversation all over again.....and won't. Was just looking for some technical help...

As for the bug. Yes. It is a "dig me" item, that I just must have. There's also a part of me that wants to be different than the nearby rest. So, if I can do a mod that is not currently offered here, or was not offered in that year, its an expression. I already have my eyes set on the new CELIS taillights.

poke succeeded.

Can you tell me why you are a huge fan of the auto-hold feature? I have it and haven't seen a reason to use it... yet. Thanks!

This feature was designed for us lazy folks that do not want to keep their foot on the brake at a traffic light. It works well for that process.

:plane:

:thumbup: Or it works very well when your in LIE traffic, or Cross Bronx traffic, or Northern State traffic, or anytime when your in traffic for 2 hours for only 30 miles!

You you still have to press the brake pedal to slow down, but once you are stopped then you can take your foot off the brake and the car doesn't move? Is this how it works?

Yes...

Once stopped on a incline, decline or flat surface, the car will not move again until the thottle is engaged.

Nobody has any insight as to how exactly the process of removing the headlight switch goes?

Read my post #2.

I did read it, thanks and also tried it. No go and any force. Their must be a screw somewhere hold in the piece, maybe from the side. I thought someone might have a BMW sheet or something of the sort with the exact procedure.

I'm pretty sure it has to do with the cover on the left side (where the door normally closes into,) but it seems so intricate to remove the inner molding, pry the cover, and then what?

On the 1 series, there is a screw at the bottom of the dashboard (knee area, ) piece comes out, vent gets pulled up, remove 4 screws, pull out and replace. But the 1 series lower dash is two pieces, as opposed to ours which is one long piece.

oh well...back to the drawing board...

yes and I don't like it because if you want to inch up, in LIE traffic which happens a lot, then you'll need that extra step of hitting the accelerator.. I haven't really found a good use for autohold personally.

My mom found a very useful time for autohold during traffic. Where we were, the people weren't squeezing into gaps between cars to save that little time. For 40 minutes, it seemed nice to not have to hold the brake for every 10 feet we moved.

I wished I inched up every now again...but its true that you do move a little. Try the Cross Bronx at 5:30pm from the Tri-Borough to the GWB. That 40 mins for 5 miles. I find it interesting that they have a digital sign that says "Heavy Delays to GWB." Why have a digital sign, make it permanent.

Here you go....;)

:yourock: Thanks.

LOL! :rofl::bustingup So true.

I've tried auto hold, and didn't like it, even in heavy traffic. I could never get used to the extra pedal travel on the accelerator.

Received the headlight module today from Germany. No errors or code on the screen. All functions work such as Headlights, front fogs, HUD and brightness control. Rear fogs do not work. It would appear that a reprogram? or something might be necessary. I do not believe my dealer will help me. It was worth the shot for the money spent (under $50.00.)

Till next time...

Could be a combination of wiring differences and/or re-programming required. Even activating the DRL, Daytime running lights is a dealer re-program so I would expect the rear fogs to be the same...

Still don't know why you want rear fogs! A friend has them on his Mercedes G500 and people keep telling him that his brake lights are on while driving. To make things worse, the left side is clear and the right side is red - that's the way they are designed! :rolleyes:

nevermind.

If the rear foglights do not work, then it is indeed something that needs to be reprogrammed. The wiring should already exist since it functions as the adaptive brake light (NA models only) and thus, should illuminate under strong/ABS braking. It's likely that the light module and perhaps the ECU needs to be programmed to ECE standards, which is what the rest of the world uses.

You could always drive to Mexico since they use the ECE headlight standards :rolleyes:

I did the rear fog light mod on my E92 M3, and I didn't need a reprogram after the install. Doesn't make sense why the switch doesn't work with the X5.

King, we do not need to go down this road again...."to each their own," right?

:dunno::dunno:

That's one LONG road trip!


Anyone know of an indy shop or a "less stringent" dealer in the NJ/NY willing to try a reprogram??

It's not a liability/dealer won't do it issue. It's a "US dealers don't have the software" problem. It's not just one master computer that allows you to switch between ECE and North American light programmes. It's a completely different operating system. It's the same reason why we can't shut off the seat belt warning, key chime warning, or activate convenience close.

Yup, you need an advanced car like a Ford to have those features! I disabled the seat belt warning buzzer with a sequence of key turns and seat belt clicks on my Ford Focus (which was documented in the Owner's manual).

Different electronics. Same reason why the new iDrive controller is plug and play on the E90/92 but does not work on the E70...

Oh, but you know the Germans don't like to be sued. I mean, look at how many recalls Ford has had to do for their cars.......better to play it safe and treat ze Amerikans like sue-happy 6 year olds. Even I would agree with that.

My previous car, 05 Jeep Grand Cherokee HEMI (and similar Chrysler's) had a set of events to turn off seat belt chime...documented in the OM. I believe it was, seat belt on, key on acc, seat belt off/on/off/on/off/on, key off. Restart car...presto! no seat belt chime.

Thanks for the explanation. :thumbup:

I sense some sarcasm there! ;) I could get into further explanation but it seems like everyone here's an expert...even those who really don't know anything about it. "Different programs, ECE and US light programs, Different operating systems." It's kind of funny just reading some of these theories.

Just about all of these features are programmable using Progman or GT1. Most of the similar models (i.e. E90/92 in your case) have the same modules. In this case the LCM or Light Control Module. However different coding is done for different regions. Think of it as dip switches with different settings for various regions. You have to 'code' the module for the desired application before you can 'program' any of the settings or functions of that module. The LCM for e.g. controls several functions like DRL, day time running lights or perhaps rear fog lights.

While some dealers may attempt to program a certain function for you, none of them will attampt to re-code a module. Every module can only be coded so many times and they can very easily be fried causing a nightmare for all electronics. BMW warranty will not cover a module fried during recoding and none of the modules are cheap. Most BMW Indy shops have the GT1 which is now outdated and very few have the latest version of Progman or other tools required for programing. The rear fogs should be an easy one, as long as you can find someone to do it...

Hope that explanation is more informative. Sometimes it's just easy to say "Different electronics" and call it a day! :D

did you get auto hold to work? what was the process involved? my 07 does not have it either...and i would love to retrofit it...

I haven't received the auto-hold switch yet. I installed the rear fog switch, but to no avail, was not plug-n-play. I hope the auto-hold feature will work since it is a feature avail to the USA.

ok, keep us posted, as i would love to see if its plug and play...i really loved that option on another x5 i drove a while back...

keep us posted if you figure a way to get the rear fogs activated with the euro switch

No news yet. Switch is installed and all functions work properly except the rear fogs. It would appear that I need a dealer to reprogram the car and somewhere in the computer diagnostics, to turn on the feature with the switch.

was wondering... does it even display the rear fogs being turned on, on the instrument cluster?

It doesn't....I know the rear fog 'lamp' exists in my US cluster, as well as the Auto Hold (which was not avail till 08') and even the Active Cruise lamp (which is not avail anywhere.)

It must just be a matter of 'turning it on' via the software within the car.

ok... I'll remain subscribed to see what's new