E60 CIC Retrofit, USB, Combox - 2006 BMW 530i
#21
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 530XI, CIC/Combox/TPMS Retrofit (CCC M-ASK Orig)
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
To code a combox in an E60 you'll have to use an SSD file.
This is because our E60 cars never had a combox from factory, and therefore BMW never shipped a module file for the combox for E60's. Even if another chassis (like E90) has the same or a similar module (i.e. CIC) and said chassis did have a module file for the combox because it was shipped from factory at any point (yes, combox module data exists for E90), the same module in our car won't be identifiable through factory software such as NCS or INPA - our modules won't ever see the combox either, or at least ever be default coded to work with it, and we can never code the combox itself by default (to the VO of) our E60 car. This is due to the fact that what our chassis (E60) car's modules are allowed to know about is all dictated by the module files (the SP-Datens). Version matters to an extent, but if E60 modules never included a combox, then even with a CIC (a module that is paired with a combox in a E90), our E60 SP-Datens will never see it or know how to work with it.
NCS Expert gives us a solution for this, known as a virtual VO by means of a SSD file. First, let's cover typical NCS Expert usage whereby we default a module's coding by our chassis' VO:
- File->Load Profile->Factory Coding (Expert)
- F1 (Start).
- F3 (Chassis).
- Select E60 (in pop-up).
- Select CAS (in pop-up). You can select LMA but the CAS selection gets us all the settings for all modules in a single TRC file by default with this method.
- Wait a few seconds for CHASSIS/FG/FA/NRCL-NO to load.
- F6 (Back)
- F4 (Process ECU)
- Select module (in pop-up)
- F2 (Change Job) though SG_CODIEREN is selected by default.
- Select SG_CODIEREN (in pop-up)
- F3 (Execute Job)
- Wait for Coding Active to change to Coding Ended
A virtual VO is provided by a SSD file. Let's take a look at the one I used for my retrofit (a bn-2000 in my 2006 530xi):
Code:
M E90_CODIERSCHL ALL A 001 WBAPP31030A7502352 E90_#0911&LUSW%0475*PR96$1CA$1CB$205$216$226$235$249$255$302$319$320$386$402$413$423$428$431$441$459$473$481$488$493$494$496$4AD$502$508$521$522$534$540$548$563$609$610$614$615$644$655$677$694$6AA$6AB$6FL$6NF$6VA$6VC$761$775$785$7SP$840$853$863$880$8SC$9BE-A090-KMP3-TELD|0000000|0000000|0000000
The reason is, because there are a ton of settings that you'll need to review in the codings for the combox and CIC, and as long as you had the SSD tuned as closely to your car as possible, you can get away with simply making the few changes we know have to be made, and hope that the rest match for your car appropriately. It's not truly just as simple as defaulting the combox to the E90 Virtual VO, and then doing the same for the CIC and making necessary changes in a subsequent true VO default of the CIC. At the least, with a tuned SSD file you will likely only discover minor discrepencies.
The other issue I ran into with Vortex's SSD is that the VIN provided is from a European car (so I obviously made feature changes there as well where I could - but the default codings for the combox and CIC were still EURO style - such as anything that could be "left-handed drive" was set to "right-handed drive"). You'll have to change those.
So here's how you use the SSD file (which by the way, you should only have 2 lines in your SSD file...the first the line that starts with "M", and the second the line that starts with "A". The second line is huge, and ends with "0000000"):
- File->Load Profile->Factory Coding (Expert)
- F1 (Start).
- F5 (Open file).
- Select SSD FILE (in pop-up).
- The file obviously loads immediately and populates CHASSIS/FG/FA/NRCL-NO.
- F6 (Back)
- F4 (Process ECU)
- Select module (in pop-up)
- F2 (Change Job) though SG_CODIEREN is selected by default.
- Select SG_CODIEREN (in pop-up)
- F3 (Execute Job)
- Wait for Coding Active to change to Coding Ended
Do this first for the combox, then do a READ and back-up the ~5kb TRC file. Then do it again for the CIC, and follow up by reading the CIC and back-up the ~18KB TRC file.
PLEASE NOTE:
Spoiler
You can then, using the true VO default coding method, immediately go ahead and default your CIC again back to an E60 - as this is what it needs to be anyways.
Now you have your work cut out for you:
- Open Notepad++
- Load all relavent TRC files:
- The CIC E60 VO default coding
- The CIC E90 SSD default coding
- The combox E90 SSD default coding
- For items 2.1 and 2.2, perform the following steps to sort the codings alphabetically for an easier time:
- Press CTRL + F
- Select the Replace tab
- Make sure "wrap around" is selected on the left
- Make sure in Search Mode, you select Extended (\n\r\t\0\x...)
- For Find what enter \r\n\t
- For Replace with enter *
- Select Replace All
- Select Edit->Line Operations->Sort lines lexicographically ascending
- For Find what enter *
- For Replace with enter \r\n\t
- Select Replace All
- Now scroll through both files evenly and for instances of combox in the E90 SSD default coding file, ensure the same coding key is updated to reflect the combox value in the E60 VO default coding file.
When you have finished, there are still other settings that you'll need to update in the E60 file with the values from the E90 file in order for it to work right, such as BT_INSTANCE_ID (needs to be 02 instead of 01). The combox coding file will be coded for a european car, but should be ready to go regardless. You could update the codings, but it should just work. I'll reference the commit in my repository that will show a perfect diff that will show you exactly what changes I made, you can find the link at the bottom of this post once its updated. If you can't wait, there are posts all over that list all the codings settings. Once done, save a copy of your updated E60 codings file and change the .TRC part to .MAN.
Now there are stll 2 more important steps to do once you have the settings made properly:
- Code the CIC using the MAN file in manipulation mode with NCS Expert.
- Update the VIN on the combox (this assumes you are using the patcher method).
To perform step 1, you can follow the NCS_DIY.pdf method provided on the bmwcoding forums as part of the Beginner's Lounge for coders:
- File->Load Profile->Manipulation (Expert)
- F1 (Start).
- F3 (Chassis).
- Select E60 (in pop-up).
- Select CAS (in pop-up). You can select LMA but the CAS selection gets us all the settings for all modules in a single TRC file by default with this method.
- Wait a few seconds for CHASSIS/FG/FA/NRCL-NO to load.
- F6 (Back)
- F4 (Process ECU)
- Select CIC (in pop-up)
- F4 (Read ECU)
- Close the NETTODAT.TRC file
- F5 (Basic Functions)
- Select coapiReadSgGetFswPsw
- Select OK (in pop-up)
- Select OK (in pop-up)
- F2 (Change Job)
- Select SG_CODIEREN (in pop-up)
- F3 (Execute Job)
- Open Tool32
- Press F3
- Select CMEDIAR.png
- Find c_fg_schreiben and select it
- Enter your 18 digit (with checksum letter) VIN in the data input to the right
- Press the run-once button (the 1_x) button in the top menu.
- Perform the same steps (5 and 6) with the c_fg_auftrag job
- Test with c_fg_lesen or aif_lesen (looking for fg_number to match the last 7 of the vin you entered)
PLEASE NOTE:
Spoiler
I'm working on a detailed 2021 write up for the whole retrofit (CIC and Combox) that includes all the stuff I had to dig for - including this portion. When I'm done I'll link it, and it'll include all the specific changes I made to the codings which will be tuned for a US E60 530XI that came with a CCC-Mask, Telematics, TCU (no mulf), and Smart Phone Prep, that's had a CIC/Combox retrofit with $614, $615, $644, $6VA, $6FL, $6NF, and $7SP, Patched, and all features working. The changes I'll have committed to the repository I'm keeping for my car/retrofits - and with it there will be the commit diffs which show very neatly what to change (you could even cherry pick the commits yourself if you really know what you're doing!). It'll also show you, again by commit diffs, how I updated the SSD and the VO, for both my car and the SSD, as I tracked changes in everything (I'm an engineer - it's second nature to me).
Until then, here's the codings for the combox as an M5 user had them (the settings are updated to be for left-handed drive, and probably include some assist/telematics settings we don't want, but nevertheless):
Code:
TYP_LENKUNG linkslenker SPRACHE englisch koreanisch china_trad russisch BT_UFN wert_01 USED_MICROPHONES wert_01 PHONE_TYPE_JAPAN nicht_aktiv RINGTONE ringtone_1 RSE_HIGH nicht_aktiv TDA_CFG_CUST_MOBILE_USE_M aktiv TDA_DEACTIVATE_STATUS_M nicht_aktiv BT_OBJECT_PUSH nicht_aktiv MICROPHONE_SENSITIVITY l4_mic PB_DOWNLOAD_PRIORITY wert_03 INBAND_RINGING nicht_aktiv CONFIG_INDEX config_index_3 DPAS_INDEX dpas_3 TESTCALL_FLAG_ENABLE nicht_aktiv A2DP_AVRCP_EIN_AUS aktiv AKD_SUPPORTED_POIS wert_25 API_EIN_AUS_MED aktiv API_IPOD_ONE_WIRE aktiv API_IPOD_TWO_WIRE_SERIEL aktiv API_TWO_USB_M aktiv AUDIO_NOTES_EIN_AUS aktiv AUDIO_SOURCE_FILE file_1 AUDIO_VERSTAERKER wert_01 AVRCP_BROWSING_EIN_AUS aktiv CALENDAR_EIN_AUS aktiv CAR_TYPE_IPOD_LOGO bmw CONTACT_NUMBERS_BCALL_M nicht_aktiv CONTACT_NUMBERS_DEALER_M nicht_aktiv CONTACT_NUMBERS_HOTLINE_M nicht_aktiv CONTACTS_EIN_AUS aktiv DATACOMM_CSIM aktiv DATACOMM_INTERFACE mamac DRM_CHIP_ENABLED aktiv DUN_PROFILE_M aktiv EMAIL_EIN_AUS aktiv EXTERNAL_CALL_LISTS_M aktiv FBLOCK_PHONEBOOK_EIN_AUS nicht_aktiv GPS_FROM_MOST aktiv GPS_POSITION_TIMEOUT wert_01 HEAD_BOOT_UP_TIMEOUT wert_15 HEAD_UNIT_MODEL cic_high_rueko HEATING_CONTROL_ENABLED aktiv HORN_CONTROL_ENABLED nicht_aktiv INCOMING_CALL_LIST_M aktiv IP_ROUTER aktiv LIGHT_CONTROL_ENABLED nicht_aktiv M_SECURITY_MODE_AEH des_cbc M_SECURITY_MODE_AEP aes_128 M_SECURITY_MODE_ASH des_cbc_mac M_SECURITY_MODE_ASP hmac_sha_256 MAIN_BOARD_ALONE ecallboard_present MED_SVS_EIN_AUS aktiv MMS_EIN_AUS nicht_aktiv MULTI_PARTY_CALL_M aktiv MY_INFO_SUPPORTED_POIS wert_25 ONLINE_ROUTER aktiv PHONEBOOK_NAME_DISP_ORD_M first_last PICTURE_VIEWER_EIN_AUS aktiv PIM_BILDER_EIN_AUS aktiv POWER_FOLLOW_UP_THRESHOLD wert_01 RDL_CONTROL aktiv RDU_CONTROL_ENABLED aktiv REMINDER_EIN_AUS aktiv REMINDER_TRIGGERS_EIN_AUS aktiv RESPONSE_ON_HOLD_M nicht_aktiv SECURE_SIMPLE_PAIRING_M nicht_aktiv SIM_ENABLED_MB enabled_all SMS_EIN_AUS_MED aktiv SORTING_VARIANT_M standard STARTUP_ACTIVE nicht_aktiv SVR_ENABLED aktiv SWUP_ASK_CONF_ENABLED aktiv SWUP_ENABLE_ENG_UPDATES nicht_aktiv SWUP_ENABLE_SW_UPDATES aktiv SWUP_SOURCE_ONLINE aktiv SWUP_SOURCE_USBMSCDD aktiv TASK_EIN_AUS aktiv TDA_CFG_IND_PDM_GR_NBR_M file0 TDA_CFG_TSM_TRIGGER all TDA_FBLOCK fblock_df TDA_TSM_ACTIVE aktiv TELEMATIC_COUNTRY_VARIANT row TELEMATIK_VIN most_vin TELEX_M aktiv TEXT_NOTES_EIN_AUS aktiv UNICODE_EIN_AUS nicht_aktiv USB_HUB_M nicht_aktiv VCARD_OVER_MOST_M aktiv VENTILATION_CNTRL_ENABLED aktiv VIDEO_PLAYER_EIN_AUS aktiv BT_EIN_AUS_MED aktiv OFFSET_BTAS wert_00 OFFSET_IPOD_SERIAL wert_00 COVER_ART_TWO_WIRE nicht_aktiv ETHERNET nicht_aktiv PAN_PROFILE_M aktiv FOLLOW_UP_TIME_EXTENSION wert_02 SWUP_CYCLIC_MONITORING wert_20 SWUP_CYCLIC_RESET_TIMEOUT wert_255 SWUP_CYCLIC_RST_THRESHOLD wert_05 HANDSFREE_SECONDARY aktiv BMW_INFO_SUPPORTED_POIS wert_25 SWUP_INSTALL_TIME_SWIP nicht_aktiv USB1_IPOD_AUDIO digital USB2_IPOD_AUDIO analog
Code:
CDMM_USB_COVER_ART aktiv SECONDARY_HFP aktiv CONNECTED_DRIVE aktiv LEGAL_DISCLAIMER_TIME kein_ld MACRO_CAM_LEGALDISCLAIMER kein_ld MACRO_NIVICAM_LDISCLAIMER kein_ld AUDIO_OFFSET aktiv PHONE_TYPE_C0B combox PHONE_SMS aktiv CDMM_BLUETOOTH_AUDIO aktiv CDMM_USB_AUDIO_DOUBLE_0B aktiv MESSAGE_FILTER aktiv API_TYPE combox PICTURE_ALBUM_ARTS_0B aktiv MUTE_BUTTON aktiv FUNCTIONALITY_VIEWER aktiv DATACOM_INTERFACE combox CONNECTIVITY_SYSTEM_VER ecu_sw_vid HDD_ACCESS_VIA_ETHERNET aktiv BT_PHONE_INSTANCE_ID wert_02 DATACOM_TRANSFER mamac MACRO_PIM aktiv PIM_CROSS_USE aktiv CDMM_USB_POD_BOOK aktiv CDMM_USB_HMI new CDMM_USB_VIDEO both TELEMATIC_INSTANCE_ID instanceid_0x01 ASSIST nicht_aktiv ASSIST_SVR_SHOW nicht_aktiv ASSIST_INITIALIZATION nicht_aktiv ONLINE_BROWSER_C0D beide_aktiv STARTUP aktiv TELEX aktiv TDA_CFG_CUST_MOBILE_CIC nicht_aktiv ONLINE_BROWSER_LIVE aktiv NAD_PHONE_INSTANCE_ID wert_01 ECALL_INSTANCE_ID_0A wert_01 SOFTWARE_UPDATE_MANAGER aktiv SW_UPDATE_ASSISTANT aktiv
#22
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My Ride: LCI E60 Titanium Silver N54 Stage 1+
Model Year: 2010
Engine: N54
I updated the CIC.... I didn't check what version it was on.. But I updated using latest SP-Daten Files.Using WinKFP - I used my BMW ICOM A2 (Clone).. I also have the CIC v41 Files Available as well....
I followed the following... It worked for me..
OPTION 1 WORKED FOR ME
Update Order
63,62,A0
Option 1
0 - Move Car Key to position 2
1 - Connect ICOM B (MOST) to any available MOST (fiber optic) Connector. Connect the USB cable between it and the ICOM module.
2 - Connect OBD connector to ICOM Module.
3 - Connect ICOM to Laptop via Ethernet cable.
4 - Start up Itool Radar and Reserve the ICOM slot. (You'll need to search for ITool Radar).
5 - I usually use the EasyConnect after ITOOL to select the MOST bus ASYNC setting and LOCK Icom.
6 - Start up WINKFP and select comfort mode
7 - Select Update ZUSB
8 - From the list, select CI63F1 first and click OK.
9 - Enter VIN
10 - Click DONE.
11 - In Next window, Click PROG-ZUSB.
12 - Blue bar will start - This step will take about 35-40 minutes. CIC screen will turn black and cic fan will be blowing at full speed.
13 -Select Update ZUSB again
14 - From the list, select CI62F1 and click OK.
15- Enter VIN
16 - Click DONE.
17 - In Next window, Click PROG-ZUSB.
18 - This step takes about 7-10 minutes.
19 - Lastly Select Update ZUSB again
20 - From the list, select CIA0F1 and click OK.
21 - Enter VIN
22 - Click DONE.
23 - In Next window, Click PROG-ZUSB.
24 - Screen might come up with BMW symbol and bootloader mode.
25 - This step takes about 45 minutes
And code default cic
Option 2
There are three modules to flash. 63 is the first one. Go to c:\ec-apps\nfs\data and rename "develop_63" to "develop".
63:
-Configure ICOM for MOST_ASYNC_ab625
-Open WinKFP
-Select expert mode
-PABD = 08010408CI63F1.ipo (be carefully, do not choose CM63)
-P-SGBD = 33CI63F1_10.prg (be carefully, do not choose CM63)
-ECU-adress = 63
-Data = A9257174
-Program = 9257170
-NAAB = H020270_0202J5
WinKFP will complain about incorrect files and other things when you select the files, just ignore the complaints.
Now select done and you will get back to main menu. Now everything is ready for flash (also you have power supply connected, ignition on and cd/dvd removed from CIC). At this point you can turn on windows task manager (taskmgr.exe) because WinKFP progress meter will not work when flashing cic. Select "Program NAAB" and bootloader flash starts. CIC goes to bootloader mode and fan spins at full speed, this is normal. Screen shows bootloader picture or turns black, depending on old firmware version. Now you must be patient because the meter is not working. It will go to 100% and do all kind of things, just wait until "bootsector update finished" appears. Next select program program. Same precautions for this, it takes around 30 minutes to flash 63 program. After program programming has finished, select program data.
62:
Now you have flashed 63. Next you must flash 62. Go to c:\ec-apps\nfs\data and delete develop folder. Then rename develop_62_exx to develop. Go back to list on 63: on this guide. Configure WinKFP just like on that list, except change three bolded 63's to 62. Also select new data, program and NAAB files. If you did the folder swap (delete develop folder, rename develop_62_exx -> develop) correctly, there are just the correct files available. Select done and perform flash in the same order: NAAB, program, data. 62 is quite fast to flash, maybe five minutes for each part.
A0:
Now you know how to do this. Only difference is that A0 has only program, not data or NAAB. Delete old develop folder, rename develop_a0 to develop. Go again back to list on 63 on this guide, change three bolded 63's to A0. On this module you can't select data or NAAB, just select program and then select done. Choose program program. It takes around 30 minutes to program A0
I followed the following... It worked for me..
OPTION 1 WORKED FOR ME
Update Order
63,62,A0
Option 1
0 - Move Car Key to position 2
1 - Connect ICOM B (MOST) to any available MOST (fiber optic) Connector. Connect the USB cable between it and the ICOM module.
2 - Connect OBD connector to ICOM Module.
3 - Connect ICOM to Laptop via Ethernet cable.
4 - Start up Itool Radar and Reserve the ICOM slot. (You'll need to search for ITool Radar).
5 - I usually use the EasyConnect after ITOOL to select the MOST bus ASYNC setting and LOCK Icom.
6 - Start up WINKFP and select comfort mode
7 - Select Update ZUSB
8 - From the list, select CI63F1 first and click OK.
9 - Enter VIN
10 - Click DONE.
11 - In Next window, Click PROG-ZUSB.
12 - Blue bar will start - This step will take about 35-40 minutes. CIC screen will turn black and cic fan will be blowing at full speed.
13 -Select Update ZUSB again
14 - From the list, select CI62F1 and click OK.
15- Enter VIN
16 - Click DONE.
17 - In Next window, Click PROG-ZUSB.
18 - This step takes about 7-10 minutes.
19 - Lastly Select Update ZUSB again
20 - From the list, select CIA0F1 and click OK.
21 - Enter VIN
22 - Click DONE.
23 - In Next window, Click PROG-ZUSB.
24 - Screen might come up with BMW symbol and bootloader mode.
25 - This step takes about 45 minutes
And code default cic
Option 2
There are three modules to flash. 63 is the first one. Go to c:\ec-apps\nfs\data and rename "develop_63" to "develop".
63:
-Configure ICOM for MOST_ASYNC_ab625
-Open WinKFP
-Select expert mode
-PABD = 08010408CI63F1.ipo (be carefully, do not choose CM63)
-P-SGBD = 33CI63F1_10.prg (be carefully, do not choose CM63)
-ECU-adress = 63
-Data = A9257174
-Program = 9257170
-NAAB = H020270_0202J5
WinKFP will complain about incorrect files and other things when you select the files, just ignore the complaints.
Now select done and you will get back to main menu. Now everything is ready for flash (also you have power supply connected, ignition on and cd/dvd removed from CIC). At this point you can turn on windows task manager (taskmgr.exe) because WinKFP progress meter will not work when flashing cic. Select "Program NAAB" and bootloader flash starts. CIC goes to bootloader mode and fan spins at full speed, this is normal. Screen shows bootloader picture or turns black, depending on old firmware version. Now you must be patient because the meter is not working. It will go to 100% and do all kind of things, just wait until "bootsector update finished" appears. Next select program program. Same precautions for this, it takes around 30 minutes to flash 63 program. After program programming has finished, select program data.
62:
Now you have flashed 63. Next you must flash 62. Go to c:\ec-apps\nfs\data and delete develop folder. Then rename develop_62_exx to develop. Go back to list on 63: on this guide. Configure WinKFP just like on that list, except change three bolded 63's to 62. Also select new data, program and NAAB files. If you did the folder swap (delete develop folder, rename develop_62_exx -> develop) correctly, there are just the correct files available. Select done and perform flash in the same order: NAAB, program, data. 62 is quite fast to flash, maybe five minutes for each part.
A0:
Now you know how to do this. Only difference is that A0 has only program, not data or NAAB. Delete old develop folder, rename develop_a0 to develop. Go again back to list on 63 on this guide, change three bolded 63's to A0. On this module you can't select data or NAAB, just select program and then select done. Choose program program. It takes around 30 minutes to program A0
#23
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My Ride: E61 530xi 6MT
Model Year: 2007
Engine: N52
So I just swapped a Combox to my CIC retrofitted car. It was fairly simple and I managed to do it without an SSD. You gotta get the CIC in and working first then go to the combox.
MOST connector plugs right in and online there are tons of references for repinning the combox connector from TCU or mulf or TCU + MULF. Some of the coax cables may also need adapters or trimming the tabs.
Coding is easy; I used an 03/10 date and added -TELD to the VO to delete the SOS error. Beyond that I saved the CIC FSW/PSW file (from NCSexpert) and loaded it in NCS dummy. You can see 3 specific areas where the combox can be selected so just change to those. This forum post #7 here (https://cartechnology.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=43440) also has a list of the other options that you can change(including the 3 combox ones) to use to get connected drive, bluetooth streaming and all the other stuff going. I also have an E90 with a combox, so I'm able to switch it over and code it in the order car if I need anything changed. Tool32 change the VIN to match the new car (I also changed the Bluetooth name) and all the FSC codes will now work.
MOST connector plugs right in and online there are tons of references for repinning the combox connector from TCU or mulf or TCU + MULF. Some of the coax cables may also need adapters or trimming the tabs.
Coding is easy; I used an 03/10 date and added -TELD to the VO to delete the SOS error. Beyond that I saved the CIC FSW/PSW file (from NCSexpert) and loaded it in NCS dummy. You can see 3 specific areas where the combox can be selected so just change to those. This forum post #7 here (https://cartechnology.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=43440) also has a list of the other options that you can change(including the 3 combox ones) to use to get connected drive, bluetooth streaming and all the other stuff going. I also have an E90 with a combox, so I'm able to switch it over and code it in the order car if I need anything changed. Tool32 change the VIN to match the new car (I also changed the Bluetooth name) and all the FSC codes will now work.
#24
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 530XI, CIC/Combox/TPMS Retrofit (CCC M-ASK Orig)
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
So I just swapped a Combox to my CIC retrofitted car. It was fairly simple and I managed to do it without an SSD. You gotta get the CIC in and working first then go to the combox.
MOST connector plugs right in and online there are tons of references for repinning the combox connector from TCU or mulf or TCU + MULF. Some of the coax cables may also need adapters or trimming the tabs.
Coding is easy; I used an 03/10 date and added -TELD to the VO to delete the SOS error. Beyond that I saved the CIC FSW/PSW file (from NCSexpert) and loaded it in NCS dummy. You can see 3 specific areas where the combox can be selected so just change to those. This forum post #7 here (https://cartechnology.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=43440) also has a list of the other options that you can change(including the 3 combox ones) to use to get connected drive, bluetooth streaming and all the other stuff going. I also have an E90 with a combox, so I'm able to switch it over and code it in the order car if I need anything changed. Tool32 change the VIN to match the new car (I also changed the Bluetooth name) and all the FSC codes will now work.
MOST connector plugs right in and online there are tons of references for repinning the combox connector from TCU or mulf or TCU + MULF. Some of the coax cables may also need adapters or trimming the tabs.
Coding is easy; I used an 03/10 date and added -TELD to the VO to delete the SOS error. Beyond that I saved the CIC FSW/PSW file (from NCSexpert) and loaded it in NCS dummy. You can see 3 specific areas where the combox can be selected so just change to those. This forum post #7 here (https://cartechnology.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=43440) also has a list of the other options that you can change(including the 3 combox ones) to use to get connected drive, bluetooth streaming and all the other stuff going. I also have an E90 with a combox, so I'm able to switch it over and code it in the order car if I need anything changed. Tool32 change the VIN to match the new car (I also changed the Bluetooth name) and all the FSC codes will now work.
Also, if you had HiFi, or even Logic7, in the retrofitted car - you probably will notice that there is no bass (the bass tuner works, but it seems to cap out and the audio is tinny/treble-full and not so great). This is because the CIC changes how the wires were utilized and it interfaces with an upgraded HiFi amp so as to power all the speakers through the amp, not just the subs. There's a temporary work around where you pull one block out of the main CIC connector, pull its pins, and splice them into another block.
Work around for woofer with CIC retrofit
However, the real fix is to either upgrade to the newer HiFi amplifier and reconfigure the speaker wiring or buy a digitial audio processor and custom wire the speakers.
OEM HiFi amplifier retrofit
HiFi to MS-8 upgrade
#25
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My Ride: E61 530xi 6MT
Model Year: 2007
Engine: N52
If you have an e90 car just make an SSD file out of that VIN and VO and you dont have to swap anything. You can use the SSD file with NCSExpert to code the combox when you need to change something. Using an SSD file is actually very convenient and easy to do - explaining it tends to make it seem overly complex and complicated.
Also, if you had HiFi, or even Logic7, in the retrofitted car - you probably will notice that there is no bass (the bass tuner works, but it seems to cap out and the audio is tinny/treble-full and not so great). This is because the CIC changes how the wires were utilized and it interfaces with an upgraded HiFi amp so as to power all the speakers through the amp, not just the subs. There's a temporary work around where you pull one block out of the main CIC connector, pull its pins, and splice them into another block.
Also, if you had HiFi, or even Logic7, in the retrofitted car - you probably will notice that there is no bass (the bass tuner works, but it seems to cap out and the audio is tinny/treble-full and not so great). This is because the CIC changes how the wires were utilized and it interfaces with an upgraded HiFi amp so as to power all the speakers through the amp, not just the subs. There's a temporary work around where you pull one block out of the main CIC connector, pull its pins, and splice them into another block.
Stereo worked for me just fine (I'm logic7) and I didn't need to touch any sound options. Even the defrost/heater controls stayed the same since I didn't change any of the settings to E90 versions.
#26
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 530XI, CIC/Combox/TPMS Retrofit (CCC M-ASK Orig)
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
For me I only needed to code the Combox to change the setting for Bluetooth calling. Otherwise everything worked right away (though I think I still need to change the Aux setting). Its 30 seconds in and out of the car to remove but I am lucky to have that option.
Stereo worked for me just fine (I'm logic7) and I didn't need to touch any sound options. Even the defrost/heater controls stayed the same since I didn't change any of the settings to E90 versions.
Stereo worked for me just fine (I'm logic7) and I didn't need to touch any sound options. Even the defrost/heater controls stayed the same since I didn't change any of the settings to E90 versions.
Though that's not to say that if someone knows what options they have in their car that they couldn't simply code those options to the right value and avoid default coding whatsoever - though without a car that can see the Combox they'd need an SSD file.
I've seen a lot of posts simply providing the MAN file in full, but paying attention to when they're made and what options they are enabling I tend to prefer to just default code (than spend hours upon hours from their versions). I use android, not apple - and wouldn't want options enabled that I don't use. I'm OCD Also, connected drive and other services - if not shut down and deprecated, like teleservices - don't actually work properly on cars that didn't support it (and there's a fee for the subscription even when it does, like when you're retrofitting a car that could have come with it). Though, there's plenty of others that have posted more modern versions that do forgoe those deprecated things and quickly explain what you can change according to your setup.
All those long guides are just teaching people how to do the things that one would need to do not knowing much about the options they're touching and let alone how they relate to the infotainment center or their car - beyond how to access the combox from a car that can't see one using NCSExpert. From there they want to know how to enable features that their VO wouldn't indicate they have - but if you already know, that's time saved for you.
As long as you have fun and its working for you though, job well done. The Combox itself is a pretty easy job, its settings list is far shorter than the CIC - if you don't mind swapping between cars and changing over your setup to that car to code - and then back again. I didn't have that option, for instance, and it was super convenient putting my laptop in my trunk, a charger on the car, and sitting inside my home simply swapping between my true VO and an SSD file as I tweaked my system through team viewer.
#27
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 530XI, CIC/Combox/TPMS Retrofit (CCC M-ASK Orig)
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
For me I only needed to code the Combox to change the setting for Bluetooth calling. Otherwise everything worked right away (though I think I still need to change the Aux setting). Its 30 seconds in and out of the car to remove but I am lucky to have that option.
Stereo worked for me just fine (I'm logic7) and I didn't need to touch any sound options. Even the defrost/heater controls stayed the same since I didn't change any of the settings to E90 versions.
Stereo worked for me just fine (I'm logic7) and I didn't need to touch any sound options. Even the defrost/heater controls stayed the same since I didn't change any of the settings to E90 versions.
#28
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My Ride: E61 530xi 6MT
Model Year: 2007
Engine: N52
For me I coded the CIC to my car and all my options first; made sure that worked. Then after that went in and changed the settings needed for the combox (that site I posted had a list of all the different parts needed) and voila it all worked. Those were the only different settings when he compared a CIC to a CIC + combox in an E90. If you run it in NCS dummy it gives you an english read out of what the settings mean so its real easy to tell if its needed or not.
My way may not work for some but I found it simpler so I just thought I'd share (Im not a good electronics person either)
My way may not work for some but I found it simpler so I just thought I'd share (Im not a good electronics person either)
#29
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 530XI, CIC/Combox/TPMS Retrofit (CCC M-ASK Orig)
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
For me I coded the CIC to my car and all my options first; made sure that worked. Then after that went in and changed the settings needed for the combox (that site I posted had a list of all the different parts needed) and voila it all worked. Those were the only different settings when he compared a CIC to a CIC + combox in an E90. If you run it in NCS dummy it gives you an english read out of what the settings mean so its real easy to tell if its needed or not.
My way may not work for some but I found it simpler so I just thought I'd share (Im not a good electronics person either)
My way may not work for some but I found it simpler so I just thought I'd share (Im not a good electronics person either)
Anyway - yea, no doubt I get that. I guess I wanted to iterate over that with you just in case, because I did something similar in just making the direct changes someone else offered to make it work (though I did default the CIC so I didn't have to spend hours learning my VO and features, discovering just how much the CIC settings pertain to). I ended up putting in the work anyways to tweak everything and add the features I wanted after doing the SWPatcher, etc. However, seems you already went through the CIC settings and have everythign working properly, and you already commented that your Logic7 setup didn't have the bass-drop issues that HiFi systems do.
That's awesome it worked for you in such a straight forward way, and that you had the car to swap with. It's definitely understandable that you went the route you did.
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My Ride: 550i
Model Year: 2008
I am happy to find that a thread with CIC retrofitting in the title isn't dead. I am waiting for a few parts to come in to start this full install including the updated CIC controller. First, i sourced all the parts from ebay and ppl parting out vehciles on FB marketplace so nothing is coded to my VIN. I have also purchased the CAN emulator which should be here soon. As for the CAN emulator i read that i may not need it but only if i can get my CIC HU updated. Is there anyone that is willing to help with coding and i am willing to compensate. Please reply here or send a PM. Thanks in advance.