[WellDamn]

I had this same problem. Turned out to be one of the 3 fuses for the phone system.

[SSW]

I'm trying to do the SOS/SAT radio by-pass "fix" for the SOS problem in my 2008 E90 335i but I can't find the SAT unit in my car.

Found the amplifier on the left side of the trunk under the removable panel and stuck the by-pass in it just to see what happened. That did not eliminate the SOS warning and turned off my the sound from my radio for a while but fortunately the sound came back. Unlike others, the SOS problem in my car does NOT eliminate the sound from the radio.

There's a small box located next to the amplifier that it does not have any connectors that the by-pass cord will fit it. Also found what I think is the TPMS control unit under the removable lower compartment cover at the back of the truck. It has Continental stickers on it. Not sure it it's the TPMS control unit but it doesn't have any connectors that the by-pass will fit in.

The SAT unit in other cars featured in DIY by-pass fix videos show the SAT unit located right next to the amplifier but nothing except the other small box w/o an optical connector is located next to the amplifier in my car. Didn't completely remove the trunk side walls but pulled them back a bit and didn't see anything that would indicate that the SAT unit is located there. Don't want to rip out the entire trunk to try to find it.

So, where the heck is the SAT unit located in a 2008 (or similar vintage) E90 335i?

Any help w/pictures and a map (if need be) would be greatly appreciated! LOL!

[ctuna]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447

Run your Vin through mdecoder.com not all cars come with a Sat Module.

It would be under the trunk floor covering on the US driver side passanger seat if you have one. See pictures in entertainment pdf.

If you have the Hi Fi amp system it is all analog and not part of the Most Bus.
So the sound doesn't stop when you have a problem on the Most Bus.

BMW stereo types
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138949
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865
http://bmwcoders.com/forum/3-er-8/bm...1-e92-e93-291/
http://technicpnp.com/menuDiagrams/d...e90_92_93.html
http://www.musicarnw.com/page-2/
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...3&d=1169133185
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1278871872
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673

You should be the one providing the pictures if you expect any intelligent feedback.

If you think you should be removing the trunk sidewall you are looking in the wrong
place on an e90.

[SSW]

@ctuna:


Thanks 4 your detailed response and telling me not to bother pulling the sidewalls. Didn't seem like that was the right thing to do.

Would have provided pics if I thought it would help but don't think they will. Would just be pics of what I described.

You may be right. There may not be a SAT unit in the car.

Will look into verifying that 1st & if that's the case I guess the bypass cord I bought is worthless to me -- just received it from AMZN & can still return it -- in which case, the SOS problem has a different origin yet 2b determined.

[SSW]

Ok, looks like I do NOT have a SAT tuner in my car.

The build sheet only shows a code of S693- Preparation BMW Satellite Radio but not indication that a SAT radio was actually installed in the car.

Also, the description of the following photo shown on page 21 of the E90 Entertainment pdf file that @ctuna provided at that top of his response indicates that if there is a SAT radio tuner in the car, it should be in the spot on the left under the lower truck cover.



I've got the TCU (Telematic Control Unit) on the right (mine has Continental tags on it) but I do NOT have anything in the space on the left which according to the info provided means that I do NOT have a SAT tuner in my car and that the by-pass cord that I bought to do the SOS/SAT radio fix is useless to me and that my SOS problem is "of course" caused by something else.

So, back to square one.

But, thanks @ctuna for at least helping me to figure that out.

[ctuna]

So you did not provide a picture of your car.
Clearly the picture you provided has something on the left.
This could also be a HD IBOC or Euro DAP module .
These modules are clearly labeled for part number and
device function.
If you have a TCU as seen on the right sometimes there
is a Mulf or Mulf 2 Hi underneath it. There are both separate
Most Bus modules so if you have this there will be two
Most connections going to this area.
BMW calls a mulf 2 or mulf a ulf module.

The question is what do you want to do .
If you don't care about SOS you have to program it out of the Instrument
Panel then remove the TCU and or unplug all connections to it.
If you only have a TCU the bluetooth phone comes from it.
The bluetooth phone can be programmed to operate from the
Mulf 2 module and USB and aux also can come from it.

[ctuna]

So you did not provide a picture of your car.
Clearly the picture you provided has something on the left.
This could also be a HD IBOC or Euro DAP module .
These modules are clearly labeled for part number and
device function.
If you have a TCU as seen on the right sometimes there
is a Mulf or Mulf 2 Hi underneath it. There are both seperate
Most Bus modules so if you have this there will be two
Most connections going to this area.

The question is what do you want to do .
If you don't care about SOS you have to program it out of the Instrument
Panel then remove the TCU and or unplug all connections to it.
If you only have a TCU the bluetooth phone comes from it.
The bluetooth phone can be programmed to operate from the
Mulf 2 module and USB and aux also can come from it.

TCU model year 06 through 09 I think
provide SOS is essentially a cell phone no longer supported
for this function because 2g is obsolete in the US also does
bluetooth phone connection.

Mulf 2 Hi added in 08 for USB (6fl option) supports usb and aux
plus can support bluetooth phone connection . (if you have usb
and the 6fl option is in the mdecoder printout you will likely
have on of these under the TCU.

combox 2010 onward supports bluetooth phone , usb and aux
and can to bluetooth streaming but only with the right level of
Idrive head unit with the proper firmware.

Preparation means the wiring is there but not the module.

[SSW]

Thanks for the additional comments @ctuna. This is turning out to be much more complex that I thought it would be.

Again, I didn't provide a photo because I didn't think it was necessary.

I provided the stock photo from the E90 Electronics pdf you sent me to show what it "should" look like if I had a SAT tuner in my car. As I mentioned, all you'll see in my car is the TCU box on the right and nothing on the left. Hence, no SAT tuner in my car. Didn't think an actual pic of my car was therefore necessary but, if you think it'll make a difference, I'll post one of the TCU.

As for what I want, I just want the SOS flag that I get at each start up gone.

It's a minor annoyance (but an annoyance just the same) and was hoping to just do the SOS/SAT fix by plugging in the by-pass cord that I bought (and have already returned to AMZN because it apparently won't work in my car but I can order another one if need be) to achieve this. Obviously, this isn't possible because there's no SAT tuner in my car.

The build sheet does show a S6FL - USB/Audio Interface.

So, does this mean I have to remove the TCU to see if there's something under it that I can plug the by-pass cord into?

If so, 1) what is it that should be under the TCU, 2) what's the proper procedure to follow to disconnect the TCU so that I don't mess up the car's electronics and, 3) if something's there, can I use the by-pass cord method to eliminate the SOC flag or does something else have to be done to achieve this?

I just don't want to make matters worse.

[ctuna]

There will be two Most connectors one for the TCU and one for the Mulf 2 hi
behind the TCU.
Just look under the TCU
Unplug the power to the the TCU which means the large connector
in the back . That's what I had to do to make the large SOS on
startup go away when my TCU went bad . Also you have to program
the SOS out of the Kombi (Instrument cluster to turn off the SOS monitor
signals in the Kombi.
If you loose bluetooth phone you will have to program the Mulf 2 Hi to
activate its bluetooth phone function.
As it is usually handled but the TCU.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1181654
PLEASE READ THE ABOVE THREAD
IT HAS PICTURES OF THE TCU and MULF 2HI and
explains a lot about them.
When I wanted usb I looked into doing a retrofit for mulf 2 hi only
look at the above thread.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=805677
Look at entry 10 and or 13 that is how your turn off the monitor function for SOS
however you will still get and SOS on power up until the TCU is disconnected.

If your USB and bluetooth phone is still working leave the bypass in the TCU fiberoptic
remove TCU . Program the tcu monitor out of the Instrument cluster.

The most bypasses are all the same they are pretty cheap on amazon and ebay.
Try putting the the one you bought in the TCU then unplugging the TCU.

Sorry this stuff is not simple but it's not particle physics either.

You need an overall understanding of the Most Bus and to be able to do some rudementry
coding.

[SSW]

Any coding is beyond my ability. So, that's a no go for me.

Already returned the by-pass cord that I bought to AMZN but can buy another if it's necessary.

I don't need/want bluetooth or usb. Never use either. This car is a keeper for me but, if/when I ever sell the car (if ever) the buyer may want it but that's not my problem.

Do you (or anyone else) know anyone in the SF Bay Area in CA who can do this work (coding and by-pass)?

Was in contact w/a coder in San Jose many years ago but we've lost contact and I'm not sure he could do this job anyway.

Once asked a service rep at my BMW dealer in Walnut Creek if they could fix it and he just kinda laughed at me.

So, any help would be appreciated. Otherwise, I guess I'll just have to let it go.

Originally Posted by ctuna

There will be two Most connectors one for the TCU and one for the Mulf 2 hi
behind the TCU.
Just look under the TCU
Unplug the power to the the TCU which means the large connector
in the back . That's what I had to do to make the large SOS on
startup go away when my TCU went bad . Also you have to program
the SOS out of the Kombi (Instrument cluster to turn off the SOS monitor
signals in the Kombi.
If you loose bluetooth phone you will have to program the Mulf 2 Hi to
activate its bluetooth phone function.
As it is usually handled but the TCU.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1181654
PLEASE READ THE ABOVE THREAD
IT HAS PICTURES OF THE TCU and MULF 2HI and
explains a lot about them.
When I wanted usb I looked into doing a retrofit for mulf 2 hi only
look at the above thread.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=805677
Look at entry 13 that is how your turn off the monitor function for SOS
however you will still get and SOS on power up until the TCU is disconnected.

The most bypasses are all the same they are pretty cheap on amazon and ebay.
Try putting the the one you bought in the TCU then unplugging the TCU.

Sorry this stuff is not simple but it's not particle physics either.

You need an overall understanding of the Most Bus and to be able to do some rudementry
coding.

[ctuna]

There is a San Francisco Coder and there was a detailer in San Jose
who used to code. I would ask on the coding sub forum.

It was
Elliott@DetailAddict

Do a google search for BMW coding in the SF Bay area.

[SSW]

Originally Posted by ctuna

There is a San Francisco Coder and there was a detailer in San Jose
who used to code. I would ask on the coding sub forum.

It was
Elliott@DetailAddict

Do a google search for BMW coding in the SF Bay area.

Will do. Thanks, again.

[SSW]

Ok, the SOS malfunction in my car is FIXED!!!

Took me just a few mins to download all of the necessary files/programs and it took Joe@TopGearSolutions just 10 mins to remote code the SOS flag out of my car. Just had to reset the time after he was done.

Well worth the $49.99 paid for the coding plus $58 for the KDCAN cable that I chose to keep and not return). Also had to buy a new Acer Swift3 Laptop to get the job done. The price was $707.61 which I paid with AMEX points, so the laptop did not cost me any extra $.

So, if you're getting the SOS flag and can't do the SAT patch (because lilke me you don't have SAT in your car), give Joe a try.

[ctuna]

Well worth learning the diagnostics and coding now
for when you need it later.

Diagnostic Manuals Inpa/Ista D
https://bimmerprofs.com/diagnostics-inpa-part-1/
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...7x8H3pN8h1fMuF
https://carmod.ru/files/icom/istad_en.pdf
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1681573
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-P-actually-do
primary links
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/at...9&d=1539905743
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1681573
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/at...1&d=1590283589

[SSW]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Well worth learning the diagnostics and coding now
for when you need it later.

Thanks but I'm too old to bother w/all that.

I've got more $ than sense and I'd rather just pay someone who already knows how to do it to do it. Hate to attempt a coding and then royally F*CK it up which I have been known (to myself) to do.

Still needed some tech nerd knowledge just to set up the gear for the remote recode and that's as far as I care to go in my old age.

Besides, I think that's that last of any coding that my car will need. It was thoroughly hacked when I bought the car and, as far as I know, there is nothing else that needs to be done.

However, I left all of the programs that Joe@TopGearSolutions installed in my laptop, which are there to use in case there is anything that hasn't already been done.

[kenballs]

I'm having the same issues, here is what I'm facing:

- SOS Malfunction Error
- I can't connect to Bluetooth
- Radio does not work--no sound is getting produced

Can anyone help me out?

I have an '06 330i

[ctuna]

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1755666

Most of this info is already in the current thread read it.

[oRIDDLERo]

This is the part that fixed it for me. The dude even CALLED me to help fix the issue when it did not work at first... https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Opt.../dp/B07PDJPXCW

[nick46]

Right, so I'm in the uk and have a 2010 E91 330d and I've been having the 'SOS call system failure' message and alarm for a couple of years now and its pretty annoying. The odd thing is my SOS system still works! I wasn't expecting it to when I pressed the button so was pretty surprised when a voice asked me which emergency service I needed!
Anyway, I've tried on the uk forum to see if someone could code it out but I got no offers.
I've long suspected there must be a back up battery that powers the SOS system and that this is whats causing the error, given that everything still works. I've just seen a YouTube video and in the comments someone said the dealer replaced the emergency battery in the TCU and this cured it as the batteries simply go flat after a number of years. Does anyone know what sort of battery it is and how to replace it?

[Dark Vader]

Ok… it seems that I have the same problem or combination of problems that others have stated…

1. SOS malfunction
2. Bluetooth not populating in my phone
3. Aux showing onscreen, but USB/3.5 doesn’t work and AUX can be selected but the screen doesn’t change…

I have a loop cable coming, but is this something that can be fixed with coding? Can I use Carly?

I will NEVER use the SOS, but I need my BT and my Aux!!

Thanks for any replies

[ctuna]

Its likely you have a dead combox or mulf 2 hi.
See link in entry 61

Don't know if Carly does any coding .
It's not as good an options as
Standard Tools or Ista D for diagnositics
Even bimmergeeks pro tool would be better.

In the US SOS was discontinued by BMW more than a decade ago.

[exia92]

I'm facing a similar issue unfortunately. I have a code scanner and have the A554 code in my 2007 e93. Symptoms are: SOS error, no audio, iDrive does not display date or time, iDrive is unresponsive to inputs from controls.

Any idea on what is causing this?