[Sensible_]

Originally Posted by cryptomit

From my experience it is always a low battery issue, not the app or cable.

It's no good. No one listens. I've been trying.

[Mik325tds]

Originally Posted by Sensible_

The FRM is not the problem. The problem is too many people coding / programming without a suitable power supply connected. Battery charger will not be sufficient.

BMW software need 13-15 volts stable when performing these operations.

With all due respect, I do think the FRM is the problem, or at least some SW versions that have a bug which corrupts the EEprom. I didn't do coding while the FRM hang itself, I just was doing a fault query with ISTA-D. The battery had good charge as I just got home from a longer drive.

[matteblue3er]

Originally Posted by grussauto

My wife has a 2010 Mini Clubman. I used Carly to change a few settings in the FRM with battery power back up. Yesterday she was leaving for work at 5:00am and I noticed no tail lights and no brake lights, although the third brake light works. I pulled codes and they are for tail light failure. Searching on the Mini forums there are several other owners that lost lighting functions using Carly. I am starting to feel like I should just use Carly to pull codes. I will not use it to code anymore for sure.

Have someone default the coding using NCS Expert.

I've had to correct many Mini's who have had issues with the Carly/BMWhat app.

Defaulting the FRM/BC1 module via NCS restored the module back to the way it was originally. Then I was able to recode the module the way they wanted.

When a circuit is shut down due to short circuit, the FRM will store a permanent fault indicating a short circuit. You just have faults saying the circuits are out.

[matteblue3er]

Originally Posted by Mik325tds

My FRM fried itself after connecting ISTA-D (Rheingold) while it was doing the bus querry (read faults of all modules). Battery was at 12.9 V with charger connected.
To me that sounds like the FRM has a SW bug that under certain conditions corrupts it's own EEPROM. This should be a warranty repair from BMW with free replacement. Let's all call BMW USA and make a fuzz about it.

Did you get your version of ISTA /D directly from BMW? What about the ICOM diagnostic head?

No.

So you have no idea whether or not your version of ISTA /D is faulty or corrupt (or whether or not your interface if faulty for that matter) which could have caused your FRM to go bad.

Don't blame the manufacture right away when you are not even using officially released tools for consumer use....

[Sensible_]

Originally Posted by Mik325tds

With all due respect, I do think the FRM is the problem, or at least some SW versions that have a bug which corrupts the EEprom. I didn't do coding while the FRM hang itself, I just was doing a fault query with ISTA-D. The battery had good charge as I just got home from a longer drive.

Whilst running diagnostics with ISTA-D, was your vehicle connected to a power supply? (Not battery charger). If so was the supply in BMW's recommended list?

If the answer is no then unfortunately the user has to take responsibility.

If the answer is yes then I'll agree with you.

[Mik325tds]

Originally Posted by Sensible_

Whilst running diagnostics with ISTA-D, was your vehicle connected to a power supply? (Not battery charger). If so was the supply in BMW's recommended list?

If the answer is no then unfortunately the user has to take responsibility.

If the answer is yes then I'll agree with you.

I was on battery only during the diagnostic session. But remember, I didn't do coding or flashing. If I do flashing/coding I always have a 45A power supply (not charger) connected.
As well as during normal operation, ECUs should be robust against undervoltage conditions during diagnostic sessions. There's nothing magical about it. Just some more diagnostic messages on the bus.
I work for an automotive supplier and we run our ECUs through crank profiles during validation while constantly reading DTCs. Those profiles drop down to 9V for short periods of time.

[Mik325tds]

Originally Posted by matteblue3er

Did you get your version of ISTA /D directly from BMW? What about the ICOM diagnostic head?

No.

So you have no idea whether or not your version of ISTA /D is faulty or corrupt (or whether or not your interface if faulty for that matter) which could have caused your FRM to go bad.

Don't blame the manufacture right away when you are not even using officially released tools for consumer use....

Duly noted, it could have all kinds of reasons. It's just weird that only the FRM hangs itself not anyone of the other 21 ECUs on the bus. And it seems to happen with multiple different tools connected.
For 9mmkungfu it even happened in a BMW service location while doing a brake fluid flush.

[Sensible_]

I agree with you that it's strange that FRM3 seems to be at a higher risk of bricking. However if you do exactly as recommended then the risk will be much lower. Don't forget, BMW did not design these modules to be end user friendly.

Also, there were many modules getting bricked at BMW service centres because of a problem with BMW ICOM A overheating. BMW A2 should resolve this with a proper heatsink. Nothing is full proof though...

[Mik325tds]

Originally Posted by Sensible_

I agree with you that it's strange that FRM3 seems to be at a higher risk of bricking. However if you do exactly as recommended then the risk will be much lower. Don't forget, BMW did not design these modules to be end user friendly.

Also, there were many modules getting bricked at BMW service centres because of a problem with BMW ICOM A overheating. BMW A2 should resolve this with a proper heatsink. Nothing is full proof though...

100% agreed. The risk of bricking things is much lower with a stable power supply.

[wilbur_the_goose]

OK - How does one guarantee a stable power supply?

[r8ders]

Can anyone tell me if a 60amp charger connected to the battery be adequate to maintain a stable source of power?

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

OK - How does one guarantee a stable power supply?

I picked up a Schumacher INC-700A a while back and it has a FLASH REPROGRAM function for use as an external power supply where it provides a certain constant supply of power. Now I understand that you hook this directly up to the battery, and it will work, but you need to read the charger's instructions carefully and follow them to the letter (you do need a good quality extension cord if you must use one too). Here is a link to the manual's page on Flash Reprogram mode: http://www.manualslib.com/manual/149...page=15#manual

I am just getting into coding, but I am a bit bemused by all this talk about coding with the engine running. Everything I have read says to start the car in accessory mode on a stable external PS. I have been using Carly/Bmwhat for a while now and particularly often for diagnosing and clearing codes (almost daily due to a persistent minor EGR error code causing limp mode). Carly has been literally invaluable to me fighting fault codes.

I did some coding of the seatbelt chime, key fob closing of the windows, and real speed on the dash when I got it, and recently coded a new AGM battery when it was installed, but that is it for the coding, so I couldn't say much about bricking while coding other than I had no problems when I did those minor codes.

[Sensible_]

Originally Posted by r8ders

Can anyone tell me if a 60amp charger connected to the battery be adequate to maintain a stable source of power?

Should be ok, although for E9X 70a is officially recommended. It depends on what toys you have in the car as to how many amps may be required.

Like quasimodem says. The inc-700a is what most people get as it's cheap but works quite well. I think BMW officially recommend duronics or something similar but they are very pricey.

[grussauto]

Originally Posted by Sensible_

I'm not saying it 100% is. However it's worth a go with the symptoms you've given.

Short Circuit Counter is reset with Tool32 from BMW Standard Tools with a K+DCAN cable.

When in Tool32 select FRM_XX (whatever FRM you have) then run job:
_reset_kurzschluss_sperre with the lamp ID of the faulty lights in the argument field. So for you I guess it's...

Tails
0x11
0x12
0x13
0x14

Rear Fogs
0x17
0x18

Lamp ID Lamp Fixture
0x00 High Beam, Left or E92/3 Cornering Light
0x01 High Beam, Right or E92/3 Cornering Light
0x02 Low Beam, Left
0x03 Low Beam, Right
0x04 Parking Light, Left
0x05 Parking Light, Right
0x06 Fog Light, Left, Front
0x07 Fog Light, Right, Front
0x08 Turn Signal, Left, Front
0x09 Turn Signal, Right, Front
0x0A Turn Signal, Left, Rear
0x0B Turn Signal, Right, Rear
0x0C Unassigned 1
0x0D Lighting WBL Button?
0x0E Brake Light, Left
0x0F Brake Light, Right
0x10 Brake Light, Center
0x11 Taillight/Brake Light, Left 1 or E92/3 Daytime Running Light
0x12 Taillight/Brake Light, Right 1 or E92/3 Daytime Running Light
0x13 Taillight/Brake Light, Left 2
0x14 Taillight/Brake Light, Right 2
0x15 Licence Plate Lighting
0x16 Interior Lighting
0x17 Fog Light, Left, Rear
0x18 Fog Light, Right, Rear
0x19 Reverse Light, Left
0x1A Reverse Light, Right
0x1B Brake Force Display, Left
0x1C Brake Force Display, Right
0x1D Clamp 58g
0x1E LED Driving Lights Control
0x1F LED Front Field Illumination
0xFF Unknown Lamp

Tried this this morning with no success. When I run UIF in INPA the FRM has no VIN showing so my guess it needs to be flashed. Can this be done with TOOL32?

[Levanime]

Originally Posted by grussauto

Tried this this morning with no success. When I run UIF in INPA the FRM has no VIN showing so my guess it needs to be flashed. Can this be done with TOOL32?

yes, tool32

[derek7467]

I just bought this adapter and the free version of carly. I read the reviews and heard about someone having the FRM issue which is what led me here. Can anyone list a power supply on amazon that would be best for a 2010 bmw e90 for use during coding?

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by derek7467

I just bought this adapter and the free version of carly. I read the reviews and heard about someone having the FRM issue which is what led me here. Can anyone list a power supply on amazon that would be best for a 2010 bmw e90 for use during coding?

four posts above. The Schumacher inc-700a should work, but it is not a BMW "approved" power supply. I think somebody mentioned such a device in this thread earlier, it'll be expensive.

[Corrupted]

Originally Posted by r8ders

Can anyone tell me if a 60amp charger connected to the battery be adequate to maintain a stable source of power?

Battery chargers are not stable power sources. They're barely even classifiable as DC power. They have a very dirty power output and emit all sorts of interference. No electronics should ever be run with battery chargers.

[Mik325tds]

My FRM is now resurrected using Xprog and Sensible_ advice:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1189062

PM me if you need help with reviving yours.

[DestinationKnown]

I code my frm, kombi, ihk modules with engine running. What are the risks?

[wildcatcrazy]

Originally Posted by DestinationKnown

I code my frm, kombi, ihk modules with engine running. What are the risks?

Carbon monoxide poisoning... That's it.

[Dracon]

Originally Posted by Quasimodem

four posts above. The Schumacher inc-700a should work, but it is not a BMW "approved" power supply. I think somebody mentioned such a device in this thread earlier, it'll be expensive.

The INC-700a is good for just about any application for BMW. I've used it on everything without any issues.

Not even the BMW dealers use the Deutronics and other "approved chargers". At my local dealership the Snap-On EEBC-500 (https://store.snapon.com/Battery-Cha...--P647677.aspx) is the power supply/charger of choice.

And they use it for everything and never had issues with any vehicle application.

The EEBC-500 is made by Schumacher for Snap-On and is basically an INC-700a built into a cart. Control panel, internals, etc are exactly the same. Just at half the price, although the Snap-On cart is pretty nice with a bin to hold tools and a built in mini-power strip.