ECU Software Update

[alxy]

Dear all,

Wanting to check whether there is any thread on PDC ie whether if d computer picture shows green colour, is there any sound at the front and also at the back?

anyway, came across this thread and would like to share my experience.

1. if your software doesn't have d Audio Aux, you will have to upgrade your software. My audio installer sent my car to kepong to do it and cost less than rm2k. Without audio aux, I was told that you cannot fix anything.

2. by having audio aux, then only you can install an equipment called "something 222" (can't remember the name). this xxx 222 thingy allows interface to be made with d computer program inside d car. if remember correctly, cost about rm2k+.

3. with this xxx 222 thingy, then you can install GPS, DVD and/or IPOD. Got 3 items that you can install.

4. to play dvd, a dvd changer have to be installed. The GPS navigation at d boot of d car can only play (if I remember correctly as was informed by my audio installer) NTSC format of DVD disc, and not PAL format as we use in Msia. so, can consider that useless as rightly pointed out by bmw_wmn58.

5. so far, after doing d software update, DVD is working well...car seems to run smoother and THANK GOD...no frying of my computer chip...and yes, bmw_wmn58 is rite...colour is slightly silverish..

6. oh yes, d xxx 222 thingy also allows all other radio frequencies to be received by d car... not only up to 90 hz...But, only problem as I found out is it is not clear when reception is not good.

my guy have installed a booster but still not good. hv sent my car to have it fixed again and let's see what happens next...

hope the above info helps...

cheers...

Yes, besides the picture, you also get sound with the PDC. In fact, the sound goes by where object is detected, e.g. if object is at your front left, then sound will come from your front left speaker.

The 222 thing is the Alpine 222 interface which comes with a radio receiver built inside.

Good to know you didn't fry your CCC! Actually you can install DVD without the AUX, just that you have to receive your sound from the FM. Which is not ideal. Though I just want to play DVDs to entertain the kids during long journeys, so great sound quality is not a must for me. That's why I am thinking so hard whether to risk upgrading the software. Anything extra you get from the software upgrade? i.e. any new features?

I hope more guys give me their success upgrade stories. Would make it easier for me to decide to go for it!

 

[bmw_pc]

Alxy,

R you saying that even when the picture is green colour, there will be sound? coz for my car, the sound only come out when the diagram shows red colour for the front sensors. As for the rear sensors, when the picture is yellow car, then the sound come out.

but no sound at all when it is green colour.

as for the upgrade, no new features really...except that somehow, the car seems to run smoother...

 

[bmw_wmn58]

Alxy,

R you saying that even when the picture is green colour, there will be sound? coz for my car, the sound only come out when the diagram shows red colour for the front sensors. As for the rear sensors, when the picture is yellow car, then the sound come out.

but no sound at all when it is green colour.

as for the upgrade, no new features really...except that somehow, the car seems to run smoother...

when pdc dispay is in the green zone, it won't warn you audibly, but only visually...at yellow, it will start the audible warning but in a slow sequence...when in red, a fast audible warning will be heard...that's how it really works...

 

[bmw_wmn58]

Dear all,

Wanting to check whether there is any thread on PDC ie whether if d computer picture shows green colour, is there any sound at the front and also at the back?

anyway, came across this thread and would like to share my experience.

1. if your software doesn't have d Audio Aux, you will have to upgrade your software. My audio installer sent my car to kepong to do it and cost less than rm2k. Without audio aux, I was told that you cannot fix anything.

2. by having audio aux, then only you can install an equipment called "something 222" (can't remember the name). this xxx 222 thingy allows interface to be made with d computer program inside d car. if remember correctly, cost about rm2k+.

3. with this xxx 222 thingy, then you can install GPS, DVD and/or IPOD. Got 3 items that you can install.

4. to play dvd, a dvd changer have to be installed. The GPS navigation at d boot of d car can only play (if I remember correctly as was informed by my audio installer) NTSC format of DVD disc, and not PAL format as we use in Msia. so, can consider that useless as rightly pointed out by bmw_wmn58.

5. so far, after doing d software update, DVD is working well...car seems to run smoother and THANK GOD...no frying of my computer chip...and yes, bmw_wmn58 is rite...colour is slightly silverish..

6. oh yes, d xxx 222 thingy also allows all other radio frequencies to be received by d car... not only up to 90 hz...But, only problem as I found out is it is not clear when reception is not good.

my guy have installed a booster but still not good. hv sent my car to have it fixed again and let's see what happens next...

hope the above info helps...

cheers...

1) the progman update has upgraded your CCC to at least above ver.25.x...it's true that without the progman update, your audio aux retrofit cannot be carried out...you can still fix ipod/dvd changer/etc...but the sound output will come up via fm transmitters...
2)/3) like i answered (1), you can still hook up things but through an fm receiver...it won't sound good...fyi, there's another gadget that i consider better than alpine222 if you plan to do everything (audio aux/ usb conectivity/ bluetooth handsfree/a2dp/ipod/etc)...it called the dension gateway 500. see http://www.dension.com/icelinkgateway500.php
if you have a cdc, theres no need for updates of progman at all...it'll work with all these functions...
4) like i said in my previous post, it's a useless hardware stuck on the car...
5) that means, you have ver.25.x or higher updated on the CCC of your car...
6) if you can recieve frequency above 90 mhz on your car, i don't think that the alpine222 did the trick...does it show RDS? (please confirm...) if it does, i think the installer has done something else to your CCC...if it doesn't, that means that they've added a booster to your fm receiver/antenna...

 

[alxy]

Alxy,

R you saying that even when the picture is green colour, there will be sound? coz for my car, the sound only come out when the diagram shows red colour for the front sensors. As for the rear sensors, when the picture is yellow car, then the sound come out.

but no sound at all when it is green colour.

as for the upgrade, no new features really...except that somehow, the car seems to run smoother...

Oh, thought you meant there is no sound totally. In that case, I haven't really noticed, will observe next time and let you know

 

[Illusion]

Agree with bmw wmn58, he got all answer and fact the japan spec send to upgrade the program, customer have to take their own risk to do that coz, no one dare to promise anything. For sure many ppl need to upgarde the program for some other reason but when anything bad happen not only CCC will failure the other control module also will follow fly always if U are unlucky.....
Pls dun believe who and who the authorize dealer also not dare to say Guaranty and warranty wut ever teee to do it......

 

[alxy]

Guys, thinking of changing my CCC from Jap to the UL/Mal one. As irsnudd mentioned earlier in the thread, is there a risk of side effects like losing the "eyebrow"? Any experiences to be shared? Thx...

 

[owen]

Guys, thinking of changing my CCC from Jap to the UL/Mal one. As irsnudd mentioned earlier in the thread, is there a risk of side effects like losing the "eyebrow"? Any experiences to be shared? Thx...

The losing-eyebrow is quite an old version now - early last year iirc. It was a bug which BMW themselves acknowledged and subsequently released another version with the fix. I don't remember the actual version num though. Just make sure they install the near latest one.

 

[bindablitz]

mine is 2004 jap spec 530i. upgraded from base code all the way to ver 28.x.
it took 7-8 hours to upgrade all modules.
did not encounter any problems.

one of the things i notice whilst they are upgrading the car is to connect the power supply to the wall socket to maintain 13.x V to prevent issues whilst upgrading. otherwise i do not see much of an issue unless the person is inexperience. i saw thru the whole of process of the upgrade.

 

[ess530i]

mine is 2004 jap spec 530i. upgraded from base code all the way to ver 28.x.
it took 7-8 hours to upgrade all modules.
did not encounter any problems.

one of the things i notice whilst they are upgrading the car is to connect the power supply to the wall socket to maintain 13.x V to prevent issues whilst upgrading. otherwise i do not see much of an issue unless the person is inexperience. i saw thru the whole of process of the upgrade.

mind telling us the advantages of upgrading the software, why you did the upgrade, where you did it and the total damage? i'm thinkin of upgrading my software to fix my transmission shift issue. i've read in other forums that it will help. also would be nice to tune to local radio if the upgrade helps. i've a 04 530i japan specs...thx

 

[alxy]

Yes, pls share your experience after upgrade. I am assuming you upgraded software only right? Means you didn't change CCC but upgraded to UK/Mal CCC software?

 

[bindablitz]

ess530i,

nicer interface, faster i-drive, smoother transmission (placebo).
total damage varies from workshop to workshop - mine charged me RM$1200 for the whole upgrade.
local radio is a no no - read my jap spec faq.

alxy,

no i just upgraded my software. no change to the ccc.

 

[ess530i]

ess530i,

nicer interface, faster i-drive, smoother transmission (placebo).
total damage varies from workshop to workshop - mine charged me RM$1200 for the whole upgrade.
local radio is a no no - read my jap spec faq.

alxy,

no i just upgraded my software. no change to the ccc.

thx...mind tellin us where u did your upgrade? i just called BM World (Desa Tun Razak) and he doesn't do upgrade for Japan spec cars as he worries that it'll screw up the car. on the transmission, did you notice other improvements besides smoother transmission? such as faster shift times, improved shifting during hard driving, etc.

 

[bindablitz]

i noticed some improvement. the biggest is the fuel consumption.

 

[ess530i]

heard from BM World that if you upgrade the ECU software, you will lose watever ECU remap that you did before such as HIOP remap, ESSTuning remap etc. can anyone confirm this?

 

[bmw1234]

heard from BM World that if you upgrade the ECU software, you will lose watever ECU remap that you did before such as HIOP remap, ESSTuning remap etc. can anyone confirm this?

YES, BUT YOU WILL GET A FREE HIOP REMAP BASE ON THE NEW PROGRAM AGAIN.

 

[skycon]

Sorry to bringing up an old tread.

Mine is a local AB CKD car and do not have the AUX option on iDrive. Is it mean I am running on old version of Progman? Is there any layman trick can check what version of Progman are we running without using machine (SSS?)?

I read another tread that CL did his Progman update to V31.5 at JB for RM350.. any bro have done it before at Klang Valley's BM Specialist and how much it cost ? I have not seen a Progman update before, but 6 hrs of work must be a hell lot of processes to do....

Would appreciate some sifu kind input. I am keen to update mine to the latest version, as I notice my Bluetooth connection seems to have intermittent issues, and the iDrive seem to operate quite slow at times.

 

[t2ribena]

AUX audio input is a retrofit option and not available even if you are running new software...this option is available when you do retrofit path coding...

so far based on my knowledge you can only check the version on the SSS ...since yours is AB CKD car i assume you will be on ver 25 or 28. There are many modules to be updated to the time taken is quite long. Make sure you send your car to experienced person doing these type of work.

the TCU module (bluetooth) normally shows this symptoms after some time where intermittently your phone will got disconnected and music will stop for a while...seems like alot of cars is plague by this...

 

[skycon]

Thanks t2ribena for yr explaination. I think I am going to bring it to Freddie there as I heard a lot of that place and I confidence he can do it right. Now the big Q is how much it would damage to my wallet. hehe