Dme swapped

[Gchafe]

Bought a 12 f30 with 2.0 ltr engine ,the original owner thought dme was gone and swapped it with used one. Car doesn't start. I bought matching dme and fem and key , car starts now but can't update any of those modules because the set came from a xdrive car and mine is not . The fem is the problem .I was able to copy the file in fem and save it , however I have no way to retrieve isn from original fem . And I do not have original dme cause the owner threw it out. I can read and write isn in dme but no way to retrieve from isn. I can get a matching part number dme ,fem,and key but it's from a 2.8 ltr not 2.0 ltr , will this work ? Or will engine not run properly. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[bmwdirtracer]

Abel will likely be along in a bit to give you the rundown on options open to you at this point. (He likely could have made your new DME work if he had your old one...) Other than that, I'd have to suggest that you buy a brand new DME from the dealer, put the original key and FEM back, and code the new DME to the car.

[Gchafe]

Would a matching dme and fem and key work . I have one now that starts car but when I try to code it's coding has a xdrive , the car is front wheel drive . It won't shift out of park so I am thinking it's the difference in coding from xdrive to non xdrive .

[328 Power 04]

There are so many problems here, that I don't know where to start.

Don't use an FEM, key, DME kit.

You will make a massive mess in the rest of the car when the other modules realize they don't belong to that FEM.
Also, transmission computer is matched to FEM security, so you're causing an additional issue.


320i to 328i will cause additional issues because of power class mismatch.

Read ISN from original FEM and write it to replacement DME. Stop mix and matching.

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If not, send me the original FEM, key, and a spare DME and I can match them. Bench only.

[Gchafe]

I think the fem is my problem , the original dme is gone it didn't come with car when I bought it. I have a used replacement and the means to change vin and isn in used dme , my real problem is the fem , I belive the original is no good , I do have means to read the file on original fem and to upload it to a second hand one , how ever the only tool I know that will pull isn and let you edit it in fem is auto hex II and I don't have access to that tool . I currently own a fully updated autel I'm 608 with g-box and all attachments. This will let me read the eeprom data save and upload. But don't think that will change isn in fem. I have the interface to run inpa software but yet to find a solid copy online . The aute im608 with the bmw optional cable will let me update and code , my major problem is the fem , it's toast and if I do copy eeprom data I do not think it will copy isn that has to be edited separate with a tool like auto hex II

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Just wondering if I am right on above thoughts . Again I bought this car with a used dme not running and original not available and I belive the fem was always the original problem from start and who ever diagnosed the issue didn't know what they were doing . Right now with original fem the dash only powers up for second then goes blank , with replacement it stays powered up

[bmwdirtracer]

it's coding has a xdrive , the car is front wheel drive ..

No, it's not front wheel drive.

[328 Power 04]

The correct way would have been to read the FEM ISN and write it to a spare DME.
If you have to change the ISN in FEM, you'll have to make new keys and potentially so much more.

I'm still not sure why you think the FEM is 'bad'; we may need more info here. Does it diagnose over OBD? Does it make any sounds? Does it recognize a key? Has it taken a bath/flood?
It's often WAY WAY cheaper to simply buy a new FEM at the dealer, which will already come pre-programmed with all the key data, ISN for DME and transmission, than try to adapt a used one and screw it a few times.

[Gchafe]

So when I have the original fem installed and I press the start button the dash lights uo for a second then goes out , when I put used one in press start button dash stays on .

[Gchafe]

Can I take the copied eeprom file from original fem and rewrite it in second hand fem and make it work ? Then try to match the used dme ?

[328 Power 04]

So when I have the original fem installed and I press the start button the dash lights uo for a second then goes out , when I put used one in press start button dash stays on .

You've got a LOT more diagnosing to do besides just that.

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Can I take the copied eeprom file from original fem and rewrite it in second hand fem and make it work ? Then try to match the used dme ?

There are a lot of potential complications here. Encrypted data, firmware versions can be mismatched, equipment variations (there are 4 different levels of FEM), key data will most likely be gone and you'll have to make new keys, etc.

[328 Power 04]

By the way, all the F30 328i or 320i are 2.0 liters (as is the 330i for that matter!).

[Gchafe]

Yes I was thinking this except the other matching dme and fem and key the guy says has a 2.8 is 2.8 diesel?

[328 Power 04]

The diesel ecu looks completely different than the 320i/328i gas and would be from 2014-2018