Z4 failed programming....

Mayhem · 08-23-2012, 10:44 PM

I had my Z4 in for warranty and had the EPS replaced per the recent recall notice. The service rep called me and told me that the part went in fine, but then failed programming. She told me it was a six hour or so process so they would need to keep the Z4 another day. Deja Vu. Same thing happened with my 335i. Earlier this year, I had a part replaced, and it too failed programming-- twice. They had to keep my car two extra days.

So what's the deal with BMWs failing programming and why does it take so long to program in the first place? Is this common?

redhot · 08-23-2012, 11:08 PM

Had the same happen to me when they said that I had a failed junction box... God knows why our car has a junction box and what it does but had to leave the car for 2days so that it could be programmed.

Mayhem · 08-23-2012, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhot

Had the same happen to me when they said that I had a failed junction box... God knows why our car has a junction box and what it does but had to leave the car for 2days so that it could be programmed.

Just to be clear, in both of my cars, it wasn't the part itself that had to be programmed, but the car's internal CPU to recognize the "new part." I guess they have to reprogram the cars just about anytime they install a new part.

ChuckB · 08-24-2012, 12:27 AM

BMW has fully adapted to the "Cloud" in their fleet management. Can't speak to the US architecture, but here in Germany, all BMW configurations are maintained by BMW (rumor has it the servers sit in Regensburg), so every time your car needs new software (upgrades, repair, warranty work, services), it gets posted to the main database. In the case of a software reload, the entire package with your current "approved" configuration is pulled from BMW and streamed into your car. It took 4 hours to get my BMW added alarm system programmed into the car and another 5 hours for the upgraded brakes to be coded. After the entire process is completed there is a checksum comparison run and this is where it passes or fails (and they start over from scratch). Designed to prevent unauthorized accessory activation (I suspect).

fre2bpowerless · 08-24-2012, 07:14 AM

When I had issues with the locking system, they put in a new module, took them 3 days to program it.

08-23-2012, 10:44 PM	#1
Mayhem Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 252 Posts Drives: 2012 Z4 sDrive35is Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Hollywood iTrader: (0)	Z4 failed programming.... I had my Z4 in for warranty and had the EPS replaced per the recent recall notice. The service rep called me and told me that the part went in fine, but then failed programming. She told me it was a six hour or so process so they would need to keep the Z4 another day. Deja Vu. Same thing happened with my 335i. Earlier this year, I had a part replaced, and it too failed programming-- twice. They had to keep my car two extra days. So what's the deal with BMWs failing programming and why does it take so long to program in the first place? Is this common?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

08-23-2012, 11:08 PM	#2
redhot Private First Class 8 Rep 138 Posts Drives: 09 Z4 sDrive35i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Chandler iTrader: (0)	Had the same happen to me when they said that I had a failed junction box... God knows why our car has a junction box and what it does but had to leave the car for 2days so that it could be programmed. __________________ 09 Z4 35i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-24-2012, 12:27 AM	#4
ChuckB Lieutenant 17 Rep 448 Posts Drives: 2020 X2 2.0i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hockenheim, Germany (APO) iTrader: (0)	BMW has fully adapted to the "Cloud" in their fleet management. Can't speak to the US architecture, but here in Germany, all BMW configurations are maintained by BMW (rumor has it the servers sit in Regensburg), so every time your car needs new software (upgrades, repair, warranty work, services), it gets posted to the main database. In the case of a software reload, the entire package with your current "approved" configuration is pulled from BMW and streamed into your car. It took 4 hours to get my BMW added alarm system programmed into the car and another 5 hours for the upgraded brakes to be coded. After the entire process is completed there is a checksum comparison run and this is where it passes or fails (and they start over from scratch). Designed to prevent unauthorized accessory activation (I suspect).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-24-2012, 07:14 AM	#5
fre2bpowerless Private First Class 5 Rep 129 Posts Drives: Yes. :D Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: India iTrader: (0)	When I had issues with the locking system, they put in a new module, took them 3 days to program it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search