Help - Bad TCU '04 525
#1
I have an '04 525 with a pre-bluetooth TCU that just failed.
Symptoms are intermittant clicking noise and occassional loud static hiss that overrides the audio regardless of input (AM,FM, or CD). Unplugging the TCU in the trunk fixes the problem.
Quoted price from the local (only) dealer in town is $857 for a replacement unit with bluetooth, plus $405 for programming. I could get a non-bluetooth replacement for $750 and save the programming (I think??)
I see from other posts that you can buy a MOST loop kit that will bypass the TCU, but that it still would require programming.
I never had the phone activated in the 5 years owning the car and can live without the SOS function, so I am struggling with paying the shop a grand to fix something that I will never use.
The "service" "specialist" told me I could damage the car if I did not fix it, but as an electrical engineer, I am struggling with how that could happen because the only thing connected is the fiber optic cables...
My question is: What damage can I introduce if I just leave the TCU unplugged?? I get a warning that the SOS is faulty when I start the car, but the nag message goes away after a while. Anything else??
Thanks
Symptoms are intermittant clicking noise and occassional loud static hiss that overrides the audio regardless of input (AM,FM, or CD). Unplugging the TCU in the trunk fixes the problem.
Quoted price from the local (only) dealer in town is $857 for a replacement unit with bluetooth, plus $405 for programming. I could get a non-bluetooth replacement for $750 and save the programming (I think??)
I see from other posts that you can buy a MOST loop kit that will bypass the TCU, but that it still would require programming.
I never had the phone activated in the 5 years owning the car and can live without the SOS function, so I am struggling with paying the shop a grand to fix something that I will never use.
The "service" "specialist" told me I could damage the car if I did not fix it, but as an electrical engineer, I am struggling with how that could happen because the only thing connected is the fiber optic cables...
My question is: What damage can I introduce if I just leave the TCU unplugged?? I get a warning that the SOS is faulty when I start the car, but the nag message goes away after a while. Anything else??
Thanks
#2
Contributors
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Encino, CA
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 04 545i - Titanium Silver/Black, Sport pkg, Comfort Seats w/ Lumbar, Premium Sound, power rear sunshade, Adaptive Xenon Headlights, Steptronic, Park Distance Control, Fold down rear seats w/ski bag, Aux jack, 6-disk changer, puddle lamps...
Engine: Custom Remus cat-back exhaust w/chrome square tips, K&N Air Filter, Charcoal Filter Removed, Sprint Booster :-), 50/50 mix of 91+100 Octane, EuroRev ECU Remap (coming soon lol), Dinan High-Flow Throttle Body (coming soon...maybe lol)
Interior: Portable Sirius Stilletto 100 w/car kit, Garmin Nuvi 680 mounted below rear-view mirror, LCI-style I-drive knob, Dark Poplar Center Dashboard Trim.
Exterior: E60 forum clings, 5% rear tint, ACS roof spoiler (painted black for distinct look against limo tint), ACS trunk spoiler, ACS add-on front spoiler and rear apron (awaiting installation), "18 Black Staggered BeBeS Style OER (emergency replacement for cracked sport 124 rims), black kidney grill, white accessory lighting (including license and trunk lamps), Angel-eye upgrade, AIB xenon-matched fog lamps, AIB V3's on order, red rear reflectors
Originally Posted by PigInAPoke' post='976809' date='Aug 14 2009, 01:08 PM
I have an '04 525 with a pre-bluetooth TCU that just failed.
Symptoms are intermittant clicking noise and occassional loud static hiss that overrides the audio regardless of input (AM,FM, or CD). Unplugging the TCU in the trunk fixes the problem.
Quoted price from the local (only) dealer in town is $857 for a replacement unit with bluetooth, plus $405 for programming. I could get a non-bluetooth replacement for $750 and save the programming (I think??)
I see from other posts that you can buy a MOST loop kit that will bypass the TCU, but that it still would require programming.
I never had the phone activated in the 5 years owning the car and can live without the SOS function, so I am struggling with paying the shop a grand to fix something that I will never use.
The "service" "specialist" told me I could damage the car if I did not fix it, but as an electrical engineer, I am struggling with how that could happen because the only thing connected is the fiber optic cables...
My question is: What damage can I introduce if I just leave the TCU unplugged?? I get a warning that the SOS is faulty when I start the car, but the nag message goes away after a while. Anything else??
Thanks
Symptoms are intermittant clicking noise and occassional loud static hiss that overrides the audio regardless of input (AM,FM, or CD). Unplugging the TCU in the trunk fixes the problem.
Quoted price from the local (only) dealer in town is $857 for a replacement unit with bluetooth, plus $405 for programming. I could get a non-bluetooth replacement for $750 and save the programming (I think??)
I see from other posts that you can buy a MOST loop kit that will bypass the TCU, but that it still would require programming.
I never had the phone activated in the 5 years owning the car and can live without the SOS function, so I am struggling with paying the shop a grand to fix something that I will never use.
The "service" "specialist" told me I could damage the car if I did not fix it, but as an electrical engineer, I am struggling with how that could happen because the only thing connected is the fiber optic cables...
My question is: What damage can I introduce if I just leave the TCU unplugged?? I get a warning that the SOS is faulty when I start the car, but the nag message goes away after a while. Anything else??
Thanks
#3
I have an 04 530 TCU with Assist that i'm selling. I'm replacing it this week to get bluetooth. Let me know if you're interested. Make an offer.
Jon
Jon
Originally Posted by advancedlogic' post='976846' date='Aug 14 2009, 04:40 PM
I have a non-bluetooth TCU I can sell you for $150, part #84.11.6942592-01. Where are you located?
Attachment 87077
Attachment 87077
#4
Originally Posted by jonmentor' post='981440' date='Aug 18 2009, 06:52 PM
I have an 04 530 TCU with Assist that i'm selling. I'm replacing it this week to get bluetooth. Let me know if you're interested. Make an offer.
Jon
Jon
damn where were u guys when i was looking for tcu's and bought it from the dealer for 900!
#5
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 dixon' post='984142' date='Aug 20 2009, 10:50 PM
damn where were u guys when i was looking for tcu's and bought it from the dealer for 900!
#6
Originally Posted by theXman' post='984145' date='Aug 20 2009, 07:54 PM
$900! You actually paid that much for it.
ya and get this....the next day after i bought the non refundable one from the dealer my friend finds me one for just under 500.....i was flaming.
#7
Senior Members
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Bedford, MA
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 530i 6-speed Titanium Silver/Black Interior
Premium Package
Sport Package
Aux input
30 GB video iPod
Cold Weather Package
Xenon
Red rear reflectors
Tint
Clear Bra
I had the same problem last year (bad tcu) and the dealer "fixed" it by disabling it. They said that since I didn't have BMW Assist, this was the recommended way of fixing it (my car was still in warranty at the time). I had to sign up for BMW assist so that it would be fixed properly (they replaced the tcu).
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
timmay77
E61 Touring Discussion
7
09-24-2015 09:38 AM
Bogdan7
F10, F11 Parts, Accessories and Mods
0
09-23-2015 11:40 AM
DetailersDomain
Detailing Forum
0
09-22-2015 03:59 PM
ucsbwsr
E60, E61 Parts, Accessories and Mods
4
09-19-2015 10:58 AM