iDrive retrofit update
So my iDrive retrofit has been working exactly as it should and I’m well pleased. Interestingly though, when I ditched my non runflats, it threw up one more little thing to sort…..
My Z4 E89 is a 2015 model and thus has a TPMS monitor with senders in each wheel. (TPMS – Tyre pressure monitoring system). Now, I’m told that the batteries in the sensors last 5 to 8 years and they are of course sealed units. Seemed the obvious thing to do change them at the same time and I sourced a set of original BMW sensors for £115.
All fitted, calibrated and working correctly on the car dash display, but not on the iDrive vehicle information screen. Have to admit I didn’t realise the wheels are meant to be coloured green when tyre pressures are all good on the illustration on the iDrive vehicle information screen 8) Now my donor iDrive CIC head unit is from a UK E89 made in 2013 and thus is setup for FTM, as I think the TPMS system only came in mid 2014. The Flat Tire Monitor system (FTM) works in a different way. It uses the ABS to measure each tire's rolling radius changes and with it, the rotational speed of the wheels.
I’m sure you can see where this going…. whilst my TPMS system works as it originally did before the iDrive retrofit with a dash warning, it does not work on the iDrive vehicle information display as that is set up for FTM. Not surprisingly the iDrive displays ‘FTM System Error’
I know that people who have multiple wheel sets often have their cars coded to use FTM rather than TPMS, but for me that would be a retrograde step. I could have ignored it as the TPMS system was working, but as always these little things nag away at me ……….
Initially I thought I would dip my toe into the dark arts of coding and sort it myself, as my research showed it to be a simple coding fix. That proved to be an eye opener. I will happily take my car interior apart, but just setting up a laptop with the necessary software is beyond me and I’m in awe of anyone who can do this …. or the coding. Fortunately there are people out there who can and I’m indebted to Dave and Tintoverano. Dave for setting me on the right path and Tintoverano for setting up the software on my laptop and coding it remotely. Thanks guys, all sorted…. I’ve now got green wheels on the iDrive
I should perhaps add that for anyone else taking on a similar retrofit this issue is unlikely to arise. It’s just a combination of iDrive donor vehicle and my car build dates that crossed with a change in BMW systems.
I never look at mine, like I say normally because you can't see anything out of it. So in short, save yourself a lot of hassle and don't bother :?
