Dreaded FRM issue, how can I prevent it?

MihaiZ89 · 11-23-2023, 05:48 AM

Hello guys, first time posting here.

Bought a 2009 Z4 23i recently.

Last week me and my friend replaced one of the tail lights as the LEDs for the turn signals were very dim. The new light we got had a cracked lens so we swapped the lens over and put the light in. Car was happy, everything worked fine.

Next thing my friend connects to the car with ista to check for any errors and while scanning the FRM went kaput.

I sent the module out for a repair or replacement depending on if it's fried or just software bricked.

Now my questions are:
Could a short circuit somewhere could've caused the FRM to brick?
Is there a way to prevent the FRM from bricking again?
Is there a way to check if there is a short circuit on the car?
Would the ECU tell me or is it a matter of checking everything with a multimeter?

Many thanks for reading. I've only had the car for 2 weeks and I love it so hopefully I can keep it for a while.

B21 · 11-23-2023, 07:30 AM

The FRMs are notorious for bricking themselves..it’s rumoured that due to an ability to corrupt their firmware it’s alleged that merely talking to the FRM can brick itself..

The FRM will switch itself off or one of its circuits in the event of a repeated short..

MihaiZ89 · 11-23-2023, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B21

The FRMs are notorious for bricking themselves..it’s rumoured that due to an ability to corrupt their firmware it’s alleged that merely talking to the FRM can brick itself..

The FRM will switch itself off or one of its circuits in the event of a repeated short..

Is there a way to track down the short from the FRM?
I want to give it a shot before I get the replacement frm just so it doesn't brick itself again.

B21 · 11-23-2023, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MihaiZ89

Is there a way to track down the short from the FRM?
I want to give it a shot before I get the replacement frm just so it doesn't brick itself again.

If you use ISTA or Bimmergeeks Protool they will find the errors…don’t know about other simpler code readers..

javis20 · 11-24-2023, 08:00 AM

Mine went out for no apparent reason a few years ago. Not sure if it happened when I switched out the battery or connecting with ISTA D after battery replacement. See here for reasons.

https://www.bimmerist.com/bmw-footwe...es-full-guide/

Dealer replace mine with an FRM3 module. I recall reading somewhere that the FRM3 was not as prone to failures as the FRM1 or FRM2.

11-23-2023, 05:48 AM	#1
MihaiZ89 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 23i Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Hello guys, first time posting here. Bought a 2009 Z4 23i recently. Last week me and my friend replaced one of the tail lights as the LEDs for the turn signals were very dim. The new light we got had a cracked lens so we swapped the lens over and put the light in. Car was happy, everything worked fine. Next thing my friend connects to the car with ista to check for any errors and while scanning the FRM went kaput. I sent the module out for a repair or replacement depending on if it's fried or just software bricked. Now my questions are: Could a short circuit somewhere could've caused the FRM to brick? Is there a way to prevent the FRM from bricking again? Is there a way to check if there is a short circuit on the car? Would the ECU tell me or is it a matter of checking everything with a multimeter? Many thanks for reading. I've only had the car for 2 weeks and I love it so hopefully I can keep it for a while.
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11-23-2023, 07:30 AM	#2
B21 Captain 153 Rep 611 Posts Drives: E89 Atacama Yellow 35is Join Date: May 2022 Location: Scotland..God’s own country iTrader: (0)	The FRMs are notorious for bricking themselves..it’s rumoured that due to an ability to corrupt their firmware it’s alleged that merely talking to the FRM can brick itself.. The FRM will switch itself off or one of its circuits in the event of a repeated short.. __________________ Much modified 2011 Atacama Yellow 35is…previously a much modified 2012 Atacama Yellow 20i MSport Change history here… https://www.dropbox.com/s/8h1vabklgz...0List.pdf?dl=0 Build thread here… https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=131886
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11-24-2023, 08:00 AM	#5
javis20 Private 13 Rep 76 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 3.0i Silver Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Central PA iTrader: (0)	Mine went out for no apparent reason a few years ago. Not sure if it happened when I switched out the battery or connecting with ISTA D after battery replacement. See here for reasons. https://www.bimmerist.com/bmw-footwe...es-full-guide/ Dealer replace mine with an FRM3 module. I recall reading somewhere that the FRM3 was not as prone to failures as the FRM1 or FRM2.
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