Help - Bad TCU '04 525
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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
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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
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 39
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From: Mentor, Ohio
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
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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!
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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!
You actually paid that much for it.
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Originally Posted by theXman' post='984145' date='Aug 20 2009, 07:54 PM
$900! You actually paid that much for it.
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.
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From: Bedford, MA
My Ride: 2004 530i 6-speed Titanium Silver/Black Interior
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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).
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