Do I need the TCU?
04-08-2009, 10:23 PM
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a 2004 530i. Has 86000 miles and so far gave me no problems. I purchased 4 years ago with 17,000 miles and got the CPO, plus I purchased the extended maintenance. No regret, great car.
My 12 V DC output (you can call it the cigarette lighter ), literally fell apart, about the same time my radio started to miss a few seconds in every half min, and ended up with an unbearable static. So both the radio and the DC out went kaput.
The dealer told me : the cigarette lighter is part of the trim and not covered by the CPO. The radio problem is due to a short in the TCU (and of course it does not covered by the CPO).
Since I do not use Bluetooth, I do not use the BMW assistance, have no nav system, just want to use the radio.
MY Question is: Do I need the TCU? Can I just tell the dealer to disconnect it (rather than drop $700)? Any advice is appreciated, and I have to tell him something tomorrow morning.
Thanks
My 12 V DC output (you can call it the cigarette lighter ), literally fell apart, about the same time my radio started to miss a few seconds in every half min, and ended up with an unbearable static. So both the radio and the DC out went kaput.
The dealer told me : the cigarette lighter is part of the trim and not covered by the CPO. The radio problem is due to a short in the TCU (and of course it does not covered by the CPO).
Since I do not use Bluetooth, I do not use the BMW assistance, have no nav system, just want to use the radio.
MY Question is: Do I need the TCU? Can I just tell the dealer to disconnect it (rather than drop $700)? Any advice is appreciated, and I have to tell him something tomorrow morning.
Thanks
04-09-2009, 07:33 AM
#2
Contributors
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Jersey
Posts: 7,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 530i
Model Year: 2004
Not sure if it's as easy as just disconnecting it and the problem goes away.
Anyway, if you 're looking to replace the TCU, I have one for sale. Its in working condtion and comes from the same MY as yours. PM me if interested.
Anyway, if you 're looking to replace the TCU, I have one for sale. Its in working condtion and comes from the same MY as yours. PM me if interested.
04-09-2009, 10:03 AM
#3
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am interested (and frustrated), how can I contact you (outside the board)?
Originally Posted by theXman' post='841798' date='Apr 9 2009, 08:33 AM
Not sure if it's as easy as just disconnecting it and the problem goes away.
Anyway, if you 're looking to replace the TCU, I have one for sale. Its in working condtion and comes from the same MY as yours. PM me if interested.
Anyway, if you 're looking to replace the TCU, I have one for sale. Its in working condtion and comes from the same MY as yours. PM me if interested.
04-09-2009, 10:34 AM
#4
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 BMW 545i Titanium Silver
Originally Posted by aboross' post='841504' date='Apr 9 2009, 01:23 AM
I have a 2004 530i. Has 86000 miles and so far gave me no problems. I purchased 4 years ago with 17,000 miles and got the CPO, plus I purchased the extended maintenance. No regret, great car.
My 12 V DC output (you can call it the cigarette lighter ), literally fell apart, about the same time my radio started to miss a few seconds in every half min, and ended up with an unbearable static. So both the radio and the DC out went kaput.
The dealer told me : the cigarette lighter is part of the trim and not covered by the CPO. The radio problem is due to a short in the TCU (and of course it does not covered by the CPO).
Since I do not use Bluetooth, I do not use the BMW assistance, have no nav system, just want to use the radio.
MY Question is: Do I need the TCU? Can I just tell the dealer to disconnect it (rather than drop $700)? Any advice is appreciated, and I have to tell him something tomorrow morning.
Thanks
My 12 V DC output (you can call it the cigarette lighter ), literally fell apart, about the same time my radio started to miss a few seconds in every half min, and ended up with an unbearable static. So both the radio and the DC out went kaput.
The dealer told me : the cigarette lighter is part of the trim and not covered by the CPO. The radio problem is due to a short in the TCU (and of course it does not covered by the CPO).
Since I do not use Bluetooth, I do not use the BMW assistance, have no nav system, just want to use the radio.
MY Question is: Do I need the TCU? Can I just tell the dealer to disconnect it (rather than drop $700)? Any advice is appreciated, and I have to tell him something tomorrow morning.
Thanks
04-09-2009, 01:56 PM
#5
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Any pointer where I can find information to close the fiber optic?
(Unfortunately the dealers pretty clueless when it comes to electronics. They changed my transmission at 50,000 since they could not figure out what was wrong. I am pretty sure that it was Microsoft CE, which went bluescreen a few times. I just had to stop the car and restart it.)
Thanks for your note, saved me $700, which I have do not have, since I am not a bank or insurance company and cannot expect the government to help me out either :-)
(Unfortunately the dealers pretty clueless when it comes to electronics. They changed my transmission at 50,000 since they could not figure out what was wrong. I am pretty sure that it was Microsoft CE, which went bluescreen a few times. I just had to stop the car and restart it.)
Thanks for your note, saved me $700, which I have do not have, since I am not a bank or insurance company and cannot expect the government to help me out either :-)
Originally Posted by bars_sun' post='842002' date='Apr 9 2009, 11:34 AM
Short answer - yes, you can disconnect TCU, but you'd need to put a plug to close fiber optic loop. Every time you start your car you will get warning "SOS malfunction". I lived with that for about a year, until I decided to put AUX audio in and brought in car for coding, that's when dealership broke car completely and replaced TCU with no cost to me.
04-09-2009, 05:21 PM
#6
Contributors
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Jersey
Posts: 7,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 530i
Model Year: 2004
Originally Posted by aboross' post='841974' date='Apr 9 2009, 02:03 PM
I am interested (and frustrated), how can I contact you (outside the board)?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post