ULF repair ?

[RIboater2]

I posted this in the audio section also:

I have I believe a 9th gen ULF module that I got back in 06-07. It stopped working a few years ago. The first issue was that I couldn't hear anything anymore. Just stopped one day. The mic was working as people could hear me. So I just stopped using it. Then one day I noticed "bluetooth" wasn't even showing on my monitor screen, and other days it was. So I tried pairing my phone again with no luck. Eventually it just never showed bluetooth as an option so I just pulled the ULF out.

Does anybody know of a place I could send it for diagnosis and repair? Don't feel like spending $600 for a new one. I've just started using an earpiece but would be nice to have the ULF back.

[rslifkin]

I'm not sure on the cost to fix it, but I did a full TCU retrofit in my car for well under $200. Bought the TCU off ebay, built the DB25 - 54 pin harness (which you probably already have for the ULF), bought the bluetooth antenna and cable (which you should also already have) and plugged it in.

[RIboater2]

I'm a little confused on the difference between a ULF and a TCU. I can find older ULF units on Ebay for as little as $50 but they are early 2nd and 3rd generation. Not sure why newer generations are nonexistent to find used.

[Frankie]

I sincerely doubt anyone would actually work on a factory ULF module. Like rslifkin said, try a TCU instead -- much more affordable. Details:

• Factory Bluetooth Retrofit

[RIboater2]

looks promising. with a 4/99 build date looks like i may not have full functionality? Also wonder about the TCU having two female connectors but I'd be using only one? The large black connector on my ULF is the same as the white one on the TCU? what is the small black one for on the TCU? leave it open?

[Frankie]

With a 4/99 build and without an SES voice module, you'll lose voice control of navigation after TCU installation....unless you install an SES module. You'll need to decide if that matters to you.

As for the TCU connections, you only use the white-coded antenna connection. All others are unused. On the other end of the TCU is the big, black 54-pin connector which should be the same as your ULF.

Heads up: I noticed there is a rare, 13th generation ULF for sale on eBay for $150, with connectors.

[RIboater2]

Im not sure i'd miss voice navigation since my mk3 cd is so old and always use my phone anyway. It wouldn't matter. I don't remember if I have a SES module. Got the whole setup from BimmerNav back in 2006. without it, would that be not having voice dial also? I thought it was awesome when i could ask siri to make a call for me.

thanks for that heads up! If I can't use siri with a TCU I may go for that ULF!

[Frankie]

For sending and receiving calls, ULF and TCU operation is the same.

[RIboater2]

That ULF was gone like next day.
I read your retrofit write up of course. For the TCU, I see very few that say Everest IBUS. Some units say most GSM US?
Some do not have a PK # which means they are not really BT, despite the little icon? And haven't seen any with a simple two digit SW version like SW 37 HW 70. Most look like more complex like SW 09.06.0A HW 12.01.02
Some say CDMA and I saw one from 10/02/2010 that said GSM. I have ATT which is GSM. does this really matter?
So many variables to watch for....

[rslifkin]

For TCUs, try searching by part number using the list on Frankie's site. That's how I found mine.

[Frankie]

RI:

It's not that complicated. Simply follow my DIY instructions for locating a TCU. It must be an I-bus unit with PK code. That's all. After that, it's just a matter of finding the latest model available. I recommend software versions above 29, based on my experiences.

[RIboater2]

Ok, so I have a TCU. It has Ibus. SW 35 and PK of 9003 84.11 6952218-01
"Telephone" shows up on the menu screen and the red light for no phone connected. I push the pairing button on the tray and hold it. Turn the key on and release the pairing button. I'm not getting the pairing screen.
I've done it successfully in years past when I installed my ULF. I had full voice recognition for phone and navigation and didn't remove anything other than the ULF itself. I just plugged in the 54 pin and the BT antenna to the new TCU. reminder I have a 4/99 build date.

[Brian1960]

The TCU you have listed has the comments beside it stating "probably no bluetooth, but not sure" in the link I posted below..

http://www.frankies-bmw.com/7series/...artNumbers.pdf

This may be the problem?

[rslifkin]

TCUs also don't use the pairing button. You pair within 2 minutes of turning the key on (it goes into discoverable mode on every start).

[RIboater2]

Didn't see that post. great.....
I followed Frankies last post. It is IBUS, has the BT logo and a PK # and software is higher than 29.

[Frankie]

RI:

As rslifkin said, TCU's don't use pairing buttons. I'm not sure if TCU operation is impaired by the presence of a pairing button/eject box in the center armrest. You'll have to experiment. Either way, I suggest configuring your car for a TCU installation instead of the ULF installation you had.

I'd start by unplugging and removing that pairing button/eject box and replacing it with a blank center tray. Then jumper pins 11 and 14 in the black phone plug (the one that you just unplugged the pairing button from). And you'll need an SES jumper plug for your 4/99 build (unless you have an SES voice module installed).

And buy a newer, Bluetooth-capable TCU!

These details are in my DIY.

[RIboater2]

OK, i'll try unplugging the pairing button. I assume I do have an SES module? I did my ULF install back in 2006 so don't recall. Wish I knew i should be looking for a "newer" TCU. I was just watching for the BT logo with a PK number and IBUS and software above 29. How could a unit with a PK not be BT?

[RIboater2]

If i unplug the pairing button, and unscrew what I think is an antenna cable? the red light no longer shows up like it doesn't recognize there is a TCU connected. I do still see "telephone" lit up.
this is the TCU i'm trying to use.
where is the SES jumper plug installed? I must have one as I had full voice navigation when my ULF was working.

[Brian1960]

Just installed my TCU yesterday in the drizzle that was our weather around here for the last week after finally making up the adapter needed the day before.
It works very well.
I think I have the same one as Frankie did before he upgraded to the newer one.
Thanks for all the assistance Frankie!

[Brian1960]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-BMW-X3...0AAOSwJT9cmQ4g

This is a good one according to a very recent post from a member named Thresher and is listed on Frankies site as well.

[RIboater2]

Thanks Brian. That's a bit pricey for a TCU. I was hoping for a $50 one. I'd hold out for a ULF if I have to spend that much.

[Frankie]

....I was just watching for the BT logo with a PK number and IBUS and software above 29. How could a unit with a PK not be BT?

Thanks for posting a picture of the TCU label. That's helpful.

It appears the software version (SW) may be related to the hardware version (HW). Yours shows HW 30 with SW 29. I had assumed hardware version 50 in my DIY, which may have appeared from 09/04-on when TCUs incorporated the now-defunct Assist feature. I'll have to edit my DIY to include this information.

And you are correct: the label has the Bluetooth logo and passkey (PK), so it should be BT capable. The document linked in my DIY that itemizes TCU part numbers says "probably no bluetooth, but not sure". In this case I'd say "for sure". But note the author of that document also had trouble pairing model '844 which was produced later.

And yes, you should have the SES jumper plug installed since you had a ULF, but you may want to verify that.

So....since you removed the pairing button et al, you just need to jumper pins 11 and 14 in the black phone plug and you're good to go. But...since you have an early model TCU, it's hard to say what might happen. If no-go, I'd suggest a newer TCU...with HW 50 and SW above ver 29.

[RIboater2]

I see SW 35 and HW 30 ?
Is the SES jumper in the trunk? hiding behind the CD or amp maybe? Again, 13 years since i did that install forget what I did! lol
I tried jumping 11-14 with no change but will try it again.

[Frankie]

I see SW 35 and HW 30 ?

Oops. I mistakenly said SW29 but you're correct: your TCU says SW35. And yes, the SES jumper is in trunk close to CD changer spot.

[RIboater2]

I pulled out the CD changer and poked around. Didn't see anything resembling that white SES jumper, or a place to plug one in. Also tried jumping the 11 14 pin. When I unplug the pairing button, I still still "telephone" in the menu screen, but no longer have that waiting screen or a red light for searching.
I think i'm just going to return this TCU and hang it up. Maybe it's something else wrong somewhere and why my ULF stopped working and isn't really broken.