[Greghole98]

I have spent hours trying to find a straight forward answer to whether or not after swapping my ccc to cic and coding it if my tcu in my trunk is a direct swap to the combox. I dont have a mulf and want to skip directly over it and remove my TCU to put in the combox. Im assuming that the combox retrofit cable wont work for me so im lost on how I can do this. Any help is appreciated!

[ptpending]

why do you think that combox retrofit cable will not work ?

[Greghole98]

Originally Posted by ptpending

why do you think that combox retrofit cable will not work ?

This is the only cable I can find that mentions working when a car comes equipped with only a tcu. Id prefer to just pull my tcu out and put the combox in and repin it myself. Problem is I can't find a straightforward diy thread that doesn't have a car with both tcu and mulf.
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=723325

[ptpending]

Originally Posted by Greghole98

This is the only cable I can find that mentions working when a car comes equipped with only a tcu. Id prefer to just pull my tcu out and put the combox in and repin it myself. Problem is I can't find a straightforward diy thread that doesn't have a car with both tcu and mulf.
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=723325

there are plenty topics with tcu , mulf and combox pinouts and wiring diagram
you need to compare them and repin pins

[Greghole98]

Originally Posted by ptpending

there are plenty topics with tcu , mulf and combox pinouts and wiring diagram
you need to compare them and repin pins

I understand, I can't explain well... I cannot find a DIY that shows only swapping pins from tcu to combox. (if thats even possible)

[ctuna]

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=772784
the above also references this
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=723325

From an google search "combox retrofit"

[smass]

As other have said, just move the pins. The adapters are only needed when the wiring won't reach where it needs to go.

As for USB in the arm rest, you only need that for a one time Bluetooth update to the combox. Your combox may even already have it. To do the update, a generic cable hooked to the combox should work.

https://www.amazon.com/EX1-USB-Cable...ywords=bmw+usb

[Greghole98]

Originally Posted by smassey321

As other have said, just move the pins. The adapters are only needed when the wiring won't reach where it needs to go.

As for USB in the arm rest, you only need that for a one time Bluetooth update to the combox. Your combox may even already have it. To do the update, a generic cable hooked to the combox should work.

https://www.amazon.com/EX1-USB-Cable...ywords=bmw+usb

Originally Posted by smassey321

As other have said, just move the pins. The adapters are only needed when the wiring won't reach where it needs to go.

As for USB in the arm rest, you only need that for a one time Bluetooth update to the combox. Your combox may even already have it. To do the update, a generic cable hooked to the combox should work.

https://www.amazon.com/EX1-USB-Cable...ywords=bmw+usb

thank you! if I'm doing tcu to combox are the current cables in the car sufficient and long enough

[smass]

Originally Posted by Greghole98

thank you! if I'm doing tcu to combox are the current cables in the car sufficient and long enough

I am not sure but it would be easy to figure it out with a test fit. Most E90 issues were with TCU and MULF where both sets of wires would not reach the same point.

[Greghole98]

Originally Posted by smassey321

I am not sure but it would be easy to figure it out with a test fit. Most E90 issues were with TCU and MULF where both sets of wires would not reach the same point.

Originally Posted by smassey321

As other have said, just move the pins. The adapters are only needed when the wiring won't reach where it needs to go.

As for USB in the arm rest, you only need that for a one time Bluetooth update to the combox. Your combox may even already have it. To do the update, a generic cable hooked to the combox should work.

https://www.amazon.com/EX1-USB-Cable...ywords=bmw+usb

Originally Posted by smassey321

I am not sure but it would be easy to figure it out with a test fit. Most E90 issues were with TCU and MULF where both sets of wires would not reach the same point.

I guess I could pull my carpet in my x5 up and see the combox pins when I get it back

[Greghole98]

Originally Posted by ptpending

there are plenty topics with tcu , mulf and combox pinouts and wiring diagram
you need to compare them and repin pins

Originally Posted by smassey321

As other have said, just move the pins. The adapters are only needed when the wiring won't reach where it needs to go.

As for USB in the arm rest, you only need that for a one time Bluetooth update to the combox. Your combox may even already have it. To do the update, a generic cable hooked to the combox should work.

https://www.amazon.com/EX1-USB-Cable...ywords=bmw+usb

Thank you, one more silly question. What type of connector is the tcu and why is the combox different? I understand when I did CCC to CIC the power cable had to switch from a 4x2 8-pin to a 8x1, is this the same reason i need to repin?

[smass]

Originally Posted by Greghole98

Thank you, one more silly question. What type of connector is the tcu and why is the combox different? I understand when I did CCC to CIC the power cable had to switch from a 4x2 8-pin to a 8x1, is this the same reason i need to repin?

TCU and MULF use a similar connector. The plastic can be trimmed to make one go into another. Combox is a completely different connector for some reason I don't know.

[PichaDis11]

Originally Posted by smassey321

TCU and MULF use a similar connector. The plastic can be trimmed to make one go into another. Combox is a completely different connector for some reason I don't know.

Tcu & Mulf uses 54 pin connector while combox uses 36 pin

[Greghole98]

I installed the combox and coded it (at least i thought so) and now i see the options for bluetooth audio, and usb but when i have my phone connected for calling and i try to switch to blueooth audio it asks me to click a box that says activate and when i do nothing happens. I already repaired my phone (note 8) and i enabled bmw apps and wrote it to my cas and nfrm and it doesnt show them. Any ideas? I also have to sos error

[BOTUS]

Originally Posted by Greghole98

I installed the combox and coded it (at least i thought so) and now i see the options for bluetooth audio, and usb but when i have my phone connected for calling and i try to switch to blueooth audio it asks me to click a box that says activate and when i do nothing happens. I already repaired my phone (note 8) and i enabled bmw apps and wrote it to my cas and nfrm and it doesnt show them. Any ideas? I also have to sos error

assuming the wiring is correct then it will be software or the coding to enable...

I've never done this, (so feel free to ignore....) but there were always 3 elements to the coding session when doing the mulf 2 high upgrade.... only posting this as no other contributors

1. Add $644 to the VO and do FA_WRITE to both CAS and NFRM.
2. After finishing step 1, change ECU to 2RAD (radio professional) and change job to SG_CODIEREN then execute job.

[jcsydney]

Pins 5 & 6 you mention connect to pdc module, where would this be located?...i am installing combox, had tcu & Milf, however cant seem to be able to find CAN HIGH & CAN LOW...any ideas?

cheers

jc

Originally Posted by smassey321

As other have said, just move the pins. The adapters are only needed when the wiring won't reach where it needs to go.

As for USB in the arm rest, you only need that for a one time Bluetooth update to the combox. Your combox may even already have it. To do the update, a generic cable hooked to the combox should work.

https://www.amazon.com/EX1-USB-Cable...ywords=bmw+usb

[smass]

Originally Posted by jcsydney

Pins 5 & 6 you mention connect to pdc module, where would this be located?...i am installing combox, had tcu & Milf, however cant seem to be able to find CAN HIGH & CAN LOW...any ideas?

cheers

jc

5 and 6 were not hooked up in either of my retrofits. I think they are only needed if you are trying to get SOS/BMW assist to work. The rows in red above can be ignored. Except for power which I think is on 2 rather than 1 for some versions of the combox.

[jcsydney]

Originally Posted by smassey321

5 and 6 were not hooked up in either of my retrofits. I think they are only needed if you are trying to get SOS/BMW assist to work. The rows in red above can be ignored. Except for power which I think is on 2 rather than 1 for some versions of the combox.

Ok cheers...i cant seem to get ncs expert to see the combox recently installed, the only thing i thought i may need is these pins 5 & 6...but seems maybe that may not be my issue..

cheers

jc

[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by jcsydney

Ok cheers...i cant seem to get ncs expert to see the combox recently installed, the only thing i thought i may need is these pins 5 & 6...but seems maybe that may not be my issue..

cheers

jc

Send a picture of both sides of the combox connector so I can check on the pin out.

1/2 of all customer combox installs I do have the pinout wrong on the first time. I am also 2/2 for customer supplied combox's being DOA.

[jcsydney]

Originally Posted by Nickco43

Send a picture of both sides of the combox connector so I can check on the pin out.

1/2 of all customer combox installs I do have the pinout wrong on the first time. I am also 2/2 for customer supplied combox's being DOA.

Trying to add pics from the app...hope this works....

[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by jcsydney

Trying to add pics from the app...hope this works....

Link removed

If you do not make fun of spelling / grammar mistakes here is the a pre-release of my combox kit install guide. I have not has time to proof read it yet. Once I am done finals I am going to be dropping a lot of diys and redoing some old ones.

[jcsydney]

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