2-5 days for BMW to install new software?

[denton]

I've had a 'service engine soon' on for a coupla weeks, didn't affect the way car drove. I tried the gas cap reset, no luck. Then I got a 'taillight out' message so I figured time to visit the dealer. My car has been in since last Wed.

Every day I get a call from the dealer about some 'programming' stuff. It's getting to the point where I could actually use my car, and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. Today I questioned him a little more sharply than usual about exactly what was going on, and it seems that they claim there's a diagnostic computer malfunction with their test equipment. Every time it happens, it's another day.

Anyone ever got a story like this?

[PeterC4]

Does going into the systems menu and checking what might be wrong give you any clues? The tail light issue is one I've had a number of times. I believe there is a technical bulletin out on it, and in my case they replaced the housing that holds the bulbs. So far so good, no more problems with the bulbs. It took them a few days to get the parts to fix that. As to the malfunction of your dealer's equipment...seems unusual to me.

[kino]

Took car into BMW of Fairfax, VA due to problem with seat. After waiting days for replacement part, they now say they are having problems with installing latest "software" because software keeps crashing. Claim this is due to new release from BMW. Huh?

[mryakan]

It seems this other thread is related, this way you may get some updates.

[Titanium09]

Yep. Our cars run software. Spooky, hey?

[E92!Dreier]

BMW is updating its software for 2010 models...this has led to a series of mishaps with downloading the software at dealerships. It has been going on for a couple weeks...good luck.

[brunp]

so, it is the software diagnostic system support software that is the problem, not the actual software on the car.....

Go figure....car is kept because of an external issue....

[E92!Dreier]

so, it is the software diagnostic system support software that is the problem, not the actual software on the car.....

Go figure....car is kept because of an external issue....

Look on the bright side, so far...at least it's not your car, and it's an external factor.

[Critter7r]

I've had a 'service engine soon' on for a coupla weeks, didn't affect the way car drove. I tried the gas cap reset, no luck. Then I got a 'taillight out' message so I figured time to visit the dealer. My car has been in since last Wed.

Every day I get a call from the dealer about some 'programming' stuff. It's getting to the point where I could actually use my car, and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. Today I questioned him a little more sharply than usual about exactly what was going on, and it seems that they claim there's a diagnostic computer malfunction with their test equipment. Every time it happens, it's another day.

Anyone ever got a story like this?


EVERY SINGLE DAY. And it's frustrating for us too (dealers). Because when we say that "we tried to program the vehicle after the repair and the software to program the vehicle caused something else in the car to crash and now we have to replace some other module", believe me, people think we're making it up.


Does going into the systems menu and checking what might be wrong give you any clues? The tail light issue is one I've had a number of times. I believe there is a technical bulletin out on it, and in my case they replaced the housing that holds the bulbs. So far so good, no more problems with the bulbs. It took them a few days to get the parts to fix that. As to the malfunction of your dealer's equipment...seems unusual to me.

Unfortunately, it's not.


Took car into BMW of Fairfax, VA due to problem with seat. After waiting days for replacement part, they now say they are having problems with installing latest "software" because software keeps crashing. Claim this is due to new release from BMW. Huh?

BMW recently updated the diagnostic systems that we as dealers have to use to diagnose, repair and program vehicles. Not just new software, we have ALL NEW HARDWARE (computers) and software, too. And while that sounds great because everything should be brand spanking new and super fast, it just doesn't work that way. All we do is find a new glitch, at least one and usually 2-3 per week, that keeps us from being able to program something on a certain vehicle. And everytime a glitch is found, they have to come up with a patch and release a new version of software, then we start finding NEW glitches and it goes and goes.

The old software was slower, but more reliable. We'll get there with the new stuff eventually, it's just that right now, we're going through the first-year growing pains associated with having a new system.

[Blue330i2006]

EVERY SINGLE DAY. And it's frustrating for us too (dealers). Because when we say that "we tried to program the vehicle after the repair and the software to program the vehicle caused something else in the car to crash and now we have to replace some other module", believe me, people think we're making it up.



Unfortunately, it's not.



BMW recently updated the diagnostic systems that we as dealers have to use to diagnose, repair and program vehicles. Not just new software, we have ALL NEW HARDWARE (computers) and software, too. And while that sounds great because everything should be brand spanking new and super fast, it just doesn't work that way. All we do is find a new glitch, at least one and usually 2-3 per week, that keeps us from being able to program something on a certain vehicle. And everytime a glitch is found, they have to come up with a patch and release a new version of software, then we start finding NEW glitches and it goes and goes.

The old software was slower, but more reliable. We'll get there with the new stuff eventually, it's just that right now, we're going through the first-year growing pains associated with having a new system.

Brother I feel your pain.
Don't you miss ignitions systems, setting the dwell, jetting the carbs, setting the timing by 'ear'. I do!!!

[Critter7r]

Brother I feel your pain.
Don't you miss ignitions systems, setting the dwell, jetting the carbs, setting the timing by 'ear'. I do!!!


It's funny, we were talking about this in the shop the other day... when the E36 came out, everyone was so freaked out because it had 4 times the electronics in it than the E30 and we called it a technological wonder at the time. Now we look at it and ask .. "what electronics?" You mean the GM? or the electronic heater controls? HA! :D