Hitch - retrofit kit - $630?
 

Ok, after hearing multiple stories how easy the progidy wireless brake controller works I figured out my pins are not powered correctly on the 7 pin. After 3 calls, 2 service appointments and 1 yr they are telling me I need an retrofit kit for my hitch and it was not part of the original sales agreement last April - so I need to pay for it, $630.
Has anyone heard of this? Who buys a hitch that doesn't work correctly?

^^ Are you using the OE harness? Is this an OE hitch? The OE harness came with some extra pins specifically for use with a brake controller. I can take a picture of those pins if you want, they are still in my garage somewhere.

Yes, oe hitch, BMW installed. Pics would help but according to them I need a new retrofit harness.

What precisely did the sales agreement say?? Sounds like they F'd you last April, and now they are playing dumb.

Did they sell you a "BMW Hitch"? Yes or no?

Did the sales order specifically exclude electrical components and/or programming? If NO, then THEY are on the hook to make it work.

BMWAG has a documented work instruction that defines "how to install a BMW hitch on an X5"...if a BMW dealer installs a hitch, THEY are responsible for doing EVERY STEP in that work instruction unless the customer has agreed, in writing, for something different or less complete. This means install a harness AND code the car to properly power the pins

I am sure they are going to use "oh, you are not using a BMW controller and THAT is your problem"...tell them to pound sand- and provide and appropriately wired pinout....the controller should not matter, if they provide the proper signals to the pins. To protect yourself from this game, keep the ccomplaint and words in the work order to very narrowly defined phrases: "power to pin 7", etc...DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO WRITE "does not work with customer supplied controller" etc...

Report back

A

ard,

You would think that the trailer brake wiring would be done with the initial install but with BMW they only do it when you have them install their trailer brake controller.

Oaktree,
you do not need the extra harness with the wireless brake controller. That harness runs wires from the front wired controller to the back. They have to do a lot of work taking things apart to run the wires from the front to the back. You will need some extra wiring but not the whole thing. I will post some instructions when I get home.

Chuck

So YOU have personally verified the written TSB states this?

or are you just listening to the dealer?

Here is what I found...http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...tch-towbar.pdf

Remember, I have no dog in this hunt, so I didnt spend much time on this. Sit down with the service rep and ask him to show you the SIB he used when they dod the install that says "dont program it and dont install the harness UNLESS you install the brake controller"

You would be the FIRST person for which this is true...many, many. many owners here who got the hitch installed WITH the harness AND the cabling and never installed a controller...

GL

A

ard,
I have the installation instructions for both the hitch and wiring and also the instructions for the brake controller. The hitch and wiring instructions does not include the brake wiring being connected. This is also what was done on my X5. I have not done the brake controller yet. The wiring harness shown in the PDF you reference does not have wires connected for the brakes.
Chuck

Thank you.

Yes, this was a BMW installed and purchased trailer hitch.

Here is the invoice and from what I think I'm hearing this is just the wiring harness to run the BMW brake controller?
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...3/1fa47593.jpg

The instructions DO include programming and the wiring harness.... OP says he is not getting proper signals to PINS.... So he does not need the brakes CONNECTED, he just needs the harness that came with the hitch to be installed and programmed.

OP- the doc you posted is a BS estimate for service work. It does NOT include any BMW part numbers. You need the doc I posted- but the version that applies to your car, and STAND in front of the service advisor/manager and demand that they explain themselves: 'show me where you installed BMW harness #81.xx.xx.xxxx when you did the hitch install'...'lets walk out to the car and show me'...'what is this other harness you say I need?' 'what is it's part number'...'where does BMW say this is required?'... 'show me where you coded the hitch when you originally installed it'

Not enough info yet, IMO.

There are more than a few people with EBCs and nobody reports needing TWO harnesses and additional programming, as I recall.

A

ard,
I give up. I was just trying to help the guy not get into an argument with you.
Chuck