E90Post
 


The Tire Rack
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > AUDIO/VIDEO + BLUETOOTH + Electronics/Alarm/Software > **Bluetooth Retrofit Guide** for TCU and ULF



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-21-2016, 07:21 AM   #595
MightyMouseTech
Major General
MightyMouseTech's Avatar
4335
Rep
6,196
Posts

Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ottawa, Canada

iTrader: (0)

So, I got an estimate from the dealer for all the parts for my 2006 330XI.

The part number for the TCU is:

84-10-9-181-230 (old number 84-10-9-171-590)

Does anybody know if I can use any other numbers for this? Trying to find a used TCU on eBay, would make this install MUCH cheaper. Dealer wants about $800 for a reman TCU.

I am also located in Canada, so I assume I want a GSM TCU, and not a CDMA TCU?

Last edited by MightyMouseTech; 01-21-2016 at 07:28 AM..
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2016, 09:11 AM   #596
ctuna
Lieutenant General
1904
Rep
13,081
Posts

Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Santa Cruz, Ca

iTrader: (0)

I can't see any reason to replace a TCU

I can't see any reason to replace a TCU
Especially if you don't already have one.
(Go aftermarket for those funcntions)

You can get used Mulf 2's that have a USB option
for 200 bucks on ebay . There also aftermarket devices
like a Dension Gateway 500s bluetooth that will give you
bluetooth phone and music plus usb ipod that have a lot
more functions than the TCU.
All of the above will require some programming that the
dealer won't do however.
The dension programming is pretty simple.

Or if you have the pro radio you might consider a dynavin N6.
If you have idrive you could to a combox or NBT upgrade.(not sure of the details on that)

Last edited by ctuna; 01-27-2016 at 09:19 AM..
Appreciate 0
      01-31-2016, 03:13 PM   #597
AWD Addict
Chief Executive
AWD Addict's Avatar
287
Rep
2,870
Posts

Drives: 2008 335xi 6spd Coupe
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Boston

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2008 335xi  [0.00]
Some questions:

1) I installed the stock antenna under the drivers side panel. Do I reconnect the most connector to the plug on the panel after I installed the purple/black plug?

2) in the trunk, after I've swapped the mic wiring, what should be left plugged into the MULF? Just the rewired blue connector and the bare metal round plug? Nothing else?

I had the coding done month ago, and I could connect my phone if I were in the trunk with it. But now after I installed the antenna and rewired the MULF, bluetooth is disconnected, and I can't recheck the box. I've also lost aux in, USB functionality and radio sound. BT is grayed out.

What did I do wrong? I thought at this stage I should be able to connect from the drivers seat and all that should be left is repinning the mic behind the glovebox

Last edited by AWD Addict; 02-01-2016 at 08:38 AM..
Appreciate 0
      02-08-2016, 11:39 AM   #598
AWD Addict
Chief Executive
AWD Addict's Avatar
287
Rep
2,870
Posts

Drives: 2008 335xi 6spd Coupe
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Boston

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2008 335xi  [0.00]
Turns out my issue was simply that I didn't plug all the items back into the MULF. The instruction on the other thread here said to unplug everything, but then only said to plug 2 of the items back in.

After I plugged the MOST and other black connector back in, bluetooth was live with great connectivity.

Just need to finish wiring the mic behind the glovebox (which looks like a job for someone with much smaller hands than mine!) and I'll be all set.
Appreciate 0
      02-10-2016, 08:07 AM   #599
AWD Addict
Chief Executive
AWD Addict's Avatar
287
Rep
2,870
Posts

Drives: 2008 335xi 6spd Coupe
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Boston

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2008 335xi  [0.00]
Got the mic rewired behind the glove box. This was easily the worst part of the retrofit, only because at least on my car, the braid for the plug was so short, I couldn't even spin it to see the wire pinouts behind it. Cutting back the sheathing helped a little, but not a lot.

There simply wasn't enough space to get two hands in there to pop loose the wires, pull them out, and hold the plug in place. Never mind how hard it was to get light in there, given my fat ass needed the entire footwell to position myself well enough to work on the plug.

I actually had to tape the male plug to the metal rail behind the glovebox, so I could use one hand to pop the wire tabs loose, and the other to tug them free. Total pain in the ass.

All buttoned up now though. works flawlessly. Great BT signal from the stock location and antenna, and the mic works great. In fact, test call said I sounded loud. Speaking normal/soft still comes through really clear on the other end.

Controls are okay on the nav. Modern phones and their voice control is way slicker. Things have come a long way in 9 years!

Big ups to lazd for the tutorial. Only complaint is that after you unplug everything on the MULF for the rewiring, the tutorial should say to plug in more than just the blue plug and the antenna. The MOST plug and the other black wire also need to be replugged in.

Last edited by AWD Addict; 08-16-2016 at 03:38 PM..
Appreciate 0
      03-11-2016, 08:19 PM   #600
GTA_G20
Private
GTA_G20's Avatar
Canada
19
Rep
76
Posts

Drives: 2006 325xi
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Oakville, Ontario

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
1997 Boxster  [0.00]
2006 325XI  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech View Post
Awesome!

As per this bulletin:

https://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/attachments/B841405_E9x.pdf

Going to see if I can add Bluetooth to my 2006.
no way it could be this simple
Appreciate 0
      08-03-2016, 02:14 PM   #601
Mespinosa92
New Member
Mespinosa92's Avatar
United_States
3
Rep
19
Posts

Drives: E82
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Miami,FL,USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Augster View Post
I FINALLY had the time to figure all this out successfully...









And I didn't have to custom-build wiring from the mic back to the modules in the trunk, like a few threads here and on other forums did when a Bluetooth MULF module was already in-place (e.g. 6FLA USB/Audio Interface package), nor modify any of the connections or wires at the modules themselves.

After scrutinizing the electrical schematics for a Bluetooth MULF setup versus a TCU setup then realizing they both use the exact same wiring, connector junctions, and pin-outs, the key breakthrough came when I was relentlessly searching the internet for similar issues and came across a BMW Universal Hands-Free Kit Upgrade, Installation Instructions 01 29 0 430 250, for a 1-series E82! And there it was on page 11, step 6, under "All Cars:"



This priceless bit of information was missing from all BMW E90-specific literature and DIY guides.

After removing the trim panel and glove box, connector X14087 was in plain sight:



I disconnected the female connector on top and confirmed that the wires coming down from the mic were in the disabled pin locations of 4, 5, and 6:



The male connector on the bottom was correctly wired (according to BMW's WDS schematics) with yellow, black, and grey wires at pin 1, 2, and 3 respectively, with nothing at pins 4, 5, and 6:



I used a jeweler's screwdriver to undo the pin clamps:




Re-pinned the yellow, black, and grey wires to positions 1, 2, and 3:



Snapped the pin clamps closed and reconnected the plugs together. A successful telephone call out verified the mic was now fully functional, and a sigh of relief was let out!

It's probably a safe assumption that all US-spec Bluetooth equipped MULF's only need to re-pin X14087 and some INPA magic to have a fully functional hands-free system; if a TCU is co-installed with a Bluetooth MULF, then just a re-pin with no coding is probably all that it takes because all my telephony functions worked "out-of-the-box" before I coded (except the mic, of course), although I'd still recommend coding to ensure no issues arise later.

I'm not sure why BMW positioned the mic wires in "non-functional" pin locations (perhaps a devious way to prevent customers from easily enabling hands-free functions?), but at last I can finally close this project on my "To Do" list...
Youre a blessing. I have an E82 and looking forward to doing this.
Appreciate 0
      11-04-2016, 01:39 PM   #602
datbimmer
Wastegate Rattle
Canada
113
Rep
897
Posts

Drives: 335i m6t nav sport
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

If anyone is looking, I have a TCU and a MULF2 SVS HIGH for sale. Looking to get rid of both. I'm thinking 300$ takes both. + shipping.
__________________

2007 335i E92 Sport, CIC, 6MT, DOCRACE6266 Spacegray/Black
2009 335i xDrive Black/Black Nav AT Individual
Gf: 2011 335i Xdrive Mpack,Nav AT Alpine/SaddleBrown
Appreciate 0
      06-25-2017, 04:01 PM   #603
Thorin
Second Lieutenant
118
Rep
272
Posts

Drives: e91 6MT ZSP
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: NorCal

iTrader: (0)

My car fell into a weird third-space of MULF/TCU goodness. Under the trunkboards I had a module- it didn't have the rounded caps like the TCU, but it was on the left side where (if I understand it) the TCU would be located. The wiring pack (phone prep pre-wired car) was on the passenger side as well, which would be used to plug into a MULF, but the rectangular block had me thinking I already had a MULF.

The mystery was solved by pulling the unit out, and finding out it was the Satellite Radio module.
Appreciate 0
      08-17-2017, 09:21 AM   #604
MadJoe
Private First Class
United_States
45
Rep
158
Posts

Drives: 2011 328i
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Attleboro, MA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I have a 2006 325i with factory Bluetooth, but it has stopped working with newer phones. It will connect for a hot minute, then disconnect without any indication other than the signal strength indicator will disappear from the radio display corner (and of course calls will not interrupt the radio, nor play through the speakers).

I was wondering if there has been any success upgrading the stereos in the older E90's with ones from newer models? I want to keep the stereo OEM, and I don't want to mess with any of the other options, I just want to replace the head unit with a newer one that has more up to date Bluetooth that will connect with my phone.

Options are:
Sport, Winter, and Luxury Packages
Manual Transmission
Comfort Access
Xenon Headlights

Is there any way to tell from that which head unit I probably have and whether or not it is up-gradable with a simple swap for a newer one and code to match my options?

Thanks in advance!

-Joe
Appreciate 0
      08-21-2017, 01:23 AM   #605
ctuna
Lieutenant General
1904
Rep
13,081
Posts

Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Santa Cruz, Ca

iTrader: (0)

There is this if you can find one an do the tricky programming to get
it to work on an older car.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=687463

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1048129

There has been an issue with the newer versions of the android operating
system and bluetooth .
My galaxy s5 still works fine on android 6

I am not sure a new radio would solve your problem.
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2017, 11:43 AM   #606
MadJoe
Private First Class
United_States
45
Rep
158
Posts

Drives: 2011 328i
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Attleboro, MA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by ctuna View Post
There is this if you can find one an do the tricky programming to get
it to work on an older car.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=687463

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1048129

There has been an issue with the newer versions of the android operating
system and bluetooth .
My galaxy s5 still works fine on android 6

I am not sure a new radio would solve your problem.
Thanks for the reply, turns out my problem was my old phone. I dropped it the other week and got an identical replacement, same model same version of Android, and now the Bluetooth connects and stays connected.

-Joe
Appreciate 0
      08-29-2017, 10:35 AM   #607
Andrei_A
Registered
Romania
0
Rep
2
Posts

Drives: E90
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Piatra Neamt

iTrader: (0)

Hello, I'm glad to write on this forum for the first time. As many others, my E90 has many options, but there is no Bluetooth. On the steering wheel are 2 buttons: for voice command and for calls, but both are inactive. On the center console under the Idrive button , exist just one big button for Menu. On other E90 with Bluetooth I saw Menu and another button for voice command. Can I install a OEM Bluetooth or something safely "plug and play" (for the electrical sistem, I don't like improvisations) and make use of the 2 buttons mentioned above on the steering wheel? Thanks.
Appreciate 0
      08-31-2017, 10:17 AM   #608
Andrei_A
Registered
Romania
0
Rep
2
Posts

Drives: E90
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Piatra Neamt

iTrader: (0)

http://speed.academy/bmw-e92-e90-335...rofit-install/
Appreciate 0
      07-03-2018, 10:00 AM   #609
BravoJohny33
Major
310
Rep
1,016
Posts

Drives: BMW 2010
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: GA

iTrader: (0)

Hey guys my car already had MULF2 with bluetooth in my car. I retro fitted a BT antenna in the trunk and ran a shielded cable from guitar center (mic wire) up to the FZD that already had a mic. Everything worked fine for 6 months but then people could no longer hear me because the mic stopped working. I used wire crimps to connect everything to the FZD. I forget exactly what guide I followed. But yeah, I think something came undone. How to I fix this and what should I use to reconnect the wires? I can't find the exact guide with the FZD/mic connections. I remember using a T-tap for something as well.
Appreciate 0
      07-03-2018, 10:34 AM   #610
ptpending
Colonel
ptpending's Avatar
456
Rep
2,743
Posts

Drives: e91
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Poland

iTrader: (1)

mic is not connected to fzd, it is only installed in fzd frame , mic wires go directly to bluetooth module in trunk or sometimes there are two mics and second one mic connected to headunit for purposes of the voice control
__________________
E81 2007 130i 6cylinder Montego blue
Retrofits: Harman Kardon, High-beam assistant, Removable tow hitch. Auto-dim folding exterior mirrors. Lumbar support. Perfomance Brakes.
Appreciate 0
      07-06-2018, 04:37 PM   #611
BravoJohny33
Major
310
Rep
1,016
Posts

Drives: BMW 2010
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: GA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ptpending View Post
mic is not connected to fzd, it is only installed in fzd frame , mic wires go directly to bluetooth module in trunk or sometimes there are two mics and second one mic connected to headunit for purposes of the voice control
I do I have a shielded wire that is run from the trunk but isn't it possible to use the voice command mic for the telephone as well?
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2018, 02:11 AM   #612
ptpending
Colonel
ptpending's Avatar
456
Rep
2,743
Posts

Drives: e91
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Poland

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BravoJohny33 View Post
I do I have a shielded wire that is run from the trunk but isn't it possible to use the voice command mic for the telephone as well?
thats depend on what headunit and modules you have
__________________
E81 2007 130i 6cylinder Montego blue
Retrofits: Harman Kardon, High-beam assistant, Removable tow hitch. Auto-dim folding exterior mirrors. Lumbar support. Perfomance Brakes.
Appreciate 0
      08-21-2018, 02:41 PM   #613
chuckn0rr1s
Private
chuckn0rr1s's Avatar
No_Country
8
Rep
95
Posts

Drives: BMW 2011 335d
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Salt Lake City, UT

iTrader: (0)

I have a 2011 BMW 335d. No idrive but I do have usb/aux connector in the center console. Can I somehow retrofit bluetooth audio? I also have bluetooth phone capabilities
Appreciate 0
      08-21-2018, 06:28 PM   #614
6ixSpd
Save the manuals!
6ixSpd's Avatar
5986
Rep
6,717
Posts

Drives: '16 M3, '23 718 Spyder
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: 416

iTrader: (4)

Your best and easiest solution would be something like the Tuneai Firefly. Awesome quality and seamless integration. I use it in my E90 without iDrive and the USB/Aux connectors. OEM BT Audio streaming is not possible without iDrive, even if you have the combox.
__________________
'16 M3 | '23 718 Spyder


Past: E92 M3, F87 M2, E39 M5, etc
Appreciate 0
      08-22-2018, 05:09 AM   #615
ptpending
Colonel
ptpending's Avatar
456
Rep
2,743
Posts

Drives: e91
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Poland

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckn0rr1s View Post
I have a 2011 BMW 335d. No idrive but I do have usb/aux connector in the center console. Can I somehow retrofit bluetooth audio? I also have bluetooth phone capabilities
yes, you can try aftermarket tune2air wma3000
__________________
E81 2007 130i 6cylinder Montego blue
Retrofits: Harman Kardon, High-beam assistant, Removable tow hitch. Auto-dim folding exterior mirrors. Lumbar support. Perfomance Brakes.
Appreciate 0
      04-12-2019, 12:10 AM   #616
oldballls
Registered
0
Rep
2
Posts

Drives: 2011 335i
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Culver City, CA

iTrader: (0)

Is tune2air really still the best option??? It seems like it's been out for years... ? Has anyone used MPOW? That's what I currently have, but it gets 0 bass. :/
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:15 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST