Calling All Those With SatNAv & Bluetooth Phone Capability Please

[Shortarse_Yoda]

I have 2004 Z4. Only owned it since last Sunday lol! While reading and playing I have tried to pair my mobile with the car. Despite following the process (hold button in centre storage, ignition '0' , ignition '1' 3 secs, ignition back to '0' 3 secs) I cannot get the car into pair mode. Also under the telephone menu, 'activate telephone' is in French which I don't understand.

I have also noticed there is a cavity in the centre storage area for a mobile phone. The manual shows a mobile phone. Is the missing phone/device required for you to connect a bluetooth phone or is this a pone that is used in the car like an old fashioned carphone?

I would like to at least if my phone will pair so would like to get the car into BT mode hence my questions above. I think the clue is 'activate the telephone' being in French this seems wrong to me. hence my questions above.

Many thanks, Andy.

 

[mr.tourette]

Despite having call buttons on the steering wheel and phone cradle many e85s still didn't actually have bluetooth phone calling, I'm not saying this is particularly true in your case as you may well have it but its very common for people to think they have it when they don't as "they have all the buttons"

 

[Chris_D]

The only time I ever successfully got bt calling to work was with a sh!tty old iPhone 4s when I first got my e85 4 years ago. It was an old phone back then and tbh the experience was patchy at best.
if you have bt prep, get an upto date bt dongle. It won't be able to use call buttons but at least you can still configure hands free calling, esp with android.

 

[Shortarse_Yoda]

Thank you Mr T. Hmm well that may well explain things. I don't have any call buttons on the steering wheel but I do have a phone button by the audio controls, so it could be that it hasn't got it. There is I think, a way of checking the original options the car was purchased with by entering the VIN on a (BMW I assume?) website. At the moment I've got other things to be getting on with. It's just that I saw a telephone option on the screen and as I was going out in it I thought I would try and pair the phone. Thanks again for that, much appreciated.

 

[Shortarse_Yoda]

Chris D. Thank you for your reply. I absolutely agree that the early implementation of bluetooth will be flaky, but I can't even get the car into 'pairing mode', so I am beginning to think that maybe the cradle is somehow part of the Navigation package maybe but no BT calling... But it has got a mic on the steering column shroud, Cheers, Andy.

 

[C4Dman]

I would like to at least if my phone will pair so would like to get the car into BT mode hence my questions above. I think the clue is 'activate the telephone' being in French this seems wrong to me. hence my questions above.

I am also a new Z4 owner, no sat-nav but we do have bluetooth.
Noticed in your description you have not mentioned the passkey number that is required to pair your phone. the passkey 4 digit number came with car, I only know this as luckily we have the original telephone guide book as well as the passkey card with number stamp.
the guide states there is also a pairing button above the centre storage compartment, after various turns of the ignition, then you should see 'bluetooth pairing' on the display or monitor.
At the correct stage your phone will ask for the passkey to be entered into the phone.
I have left a few sequences out, but the passkey is key! as far as I understand.
Good luck

 

[Shortarse_Yoda]

C4D Man. Hi there. Yes I have the original card and sticker with the blue-tooth passkey and the telephone manual. But I can't get to that stage. After to the ignition key dance (and pressing the button by the phone cradle, I cannot get the screen to display that it's ready to pair, it just keeps saying 'activate le telephone' in French with the 'le' lol! - I will keep investigating. Many thanks, Andy.

 

[Trav]

I remember messing with this for ages. For me it was about the key position, the timing and the button pressing. Not sure if I was doing it right at the time try this one that was on Pistonheads.

'Turn ignition off.
Press and hold the pairing button in the centre console with the picture of the face, NOT the button on the wheel with the same icon.
After 5 seconds turn on the ignition to the accessory position.
Continue holding the pairing button for a few seconds.
Release the pairing button.
'Bluetooth Pairing' should now be displayed on the radio or Nav screen.
Search for Bluetooth devices with your phone, the car will be BMWxxxx where xxxx are the last 4 digits of your VIN.
The Pass Code is a 4 digit number that should be on a sticker with the user guide and is also on the side of the Bluetooth module. In the Z4 the Bluetooth module is against the back of the seat I believe.'

 

[Calps]

I struggled with this for quite some time as well, but as Trav says above, it all came down to timing, so do persevere.

Also worth calling out that the cable on the centre console can be prone to breaking around the hinge area, due to repeated opening/closing. Difficult to tell without a multimeter or skinning the wires back, however it could be a contributory factor considering the car is 16 years old.

Anyway, I hope you get it resolved, it was a complete nuisance until I finally got it paired.

 

[Fixit]

i had the same trouble connecting mine it took a few goes but now works a treet

 

[C4Dman]

C4D Man. Hi there. Yes I have the original card and sticker with the blue-tooth passkey and the telephone manual. But I can't get to that stage. After to the ignition key dance (and pressing the button by the phone cradle, I cannot get the screen to display that it's ready to pair, it just keeps saying 'activate le telephone' in French with the 'le' lol! - I will keep investigating. Many thanks, Andy.

You mention you have the telephone book, but thought I would post a scan of my logon page, worked first time for me, but I was not translating French, never know, it may differ from yours, worth a try.

 

[Danz4coupe]

This can be frustrating but got mine to work perfectly following the guides here on the forum with my Samsung galaxy S9+ so it does work with modern-ish phones. Might be wrong but think sometimes you have to clear any previous phones stored by previous owners but can't remember how I did that tbh. I'm sure its on here somewhere.
Good luck anyway...

 

[C4Dman]

This can be frustrating but got mine to work perfectly following the guides here on the forum with my Samsung galaxy S9+ so it does work with modern-ish phones. Might be wrong but think sometimes you have to clear any previous phones stored by previous owners but can't remember how I did that tbh. I'm sure its on here somewhere.
Good luck anyway...

Up to 4 phones can be logged on (see my scan above) which states when a fifth phone is added, the first is deleted.

 

[Shortarse_Yoda]

Thanks everybody for your help. I did follow the manual but I think there is something wrong as I cannot understand why on the screen with no phone paired, says activate the telephone in French! - see attached please. This cannot be right. So if one of you could check on yours please and compare to the photo attached (with no phone connected) I would be very grateful. I agree also the wires could be compromised in the centre storage area especially as the hinge is broken as mine folds down more than 90 deg which I assume is not correct? I'm going to park this for now as I know there must be something wrong but I have a pax seat to fix and both front wishbones to replace as my first 2 jobs. Nice one guys - thanks again for all your help and ideas. Cheers Andy.

 

[sjj84]

This can be frustrating but got mine to work perfectly following the guides here on the forum with my Samsung galaxy S9+ so it does work with modern-ish phones. Might be wrong but think sometimes you have to clear any previous phones stored by previous owners but can't remember how I did that tbh. I'm sure its on here somewhere.
Good luck anyway...

Interesting that you got it to work with an s9, I never managed it with my s8. It would connect but just said please wait. It did actually connect because if somebody phoned me I could answer, but it wouldn't allow me to use phone book or be able to ring out.

 

[Shortarse_Yoda]

Dear All,

Hope you're all enjoying a peaceful & safe Christmas. By way of a quick update, I have managed to get my phone to pair. However the phone only stays connected for about 25 secs before it disconnects. Whils it is connected you can initiate a call form the screen but the the call goes through the phone and not the car. I have tried 2 phones, both android, a S7 edge and and a J3. Both pair and connect but disconnect after around 25 secs. Manual reconnection works bit it repeatedly drops each time after 25 secs. Has anyone please been able to get a stable connection using an S7 or similar phone and if so what year is your Z4 please? I'm looking at getting a newer ULF module but would need to know that I stand a fighting chance of it working before swapping the ULF module out for e newer one. Thanks in advance, Andy.

 

[craig3.2]

Looks like someone has changed the Language in the settings options,to put it in French.

As said,it's about the position of key in ignition,and pressing the button in the centre console/between sheets,if memory serves me right,and timing if it all. You will need vin number last 4 digits and passcode, which should be on a sticker in your owner pack.
As said,it will probably take a few attempts.

Hope you get it

 

[Shortarse_Yoda]

Craig Hi,

The phone is successfully paired (in fact I have successfully paired 2 phones and even downloaded the contacts). However the phone disconnects after 25 secs. Any repeated connection drops after 25 secs. It's either a compatibility issue with the 2004 ULF module in the car or there is a fault with the ULF module. Hence my request for an example of a Z4 owner that has a stable connection with a S7 or similar phone. Cheers, Andy.

 

[craig3.2]

please been able to get a stable connection using an S7 or similar phone and if so what year is your

Strange,and as you say,possible fault?
Hope you get it sorted