MFSW fitting advice...

[Tommo]

Hi guys, just bought a standard MFSW for my 03 Z4. (Dec 2003)

The only difference in connectors to my standard wheel were a White,blue & red wired connector, this plugged into the top of my wheel, to the right of the big black one (which has 2 other ends going into the airbag)

I plugged everything in and the buttons aren't doing anything

Any advice?

 

[Herminator]

Are you sure they're plugged in fully? got a pic?
If you had the wiring in place for the new connector to plug into, I would assume it should work fine :|

 

[csmith319]

I'm sure someone may correct me here - but I think on an 03 car you may need to add wiring (I'm not sure what the watershed date on that is though, however make sure you look at the cars build date, not registration to find out if yours needs it or not).

 

[srhutch]

CJ10JEEPER is the one to ask, I'm sure he had to add wiring when he did his, but that may have just been for the paddles.

 

[Tommo]

Are you sure they're plugged in fully? got a pic?
If you had the wiring in place for the new connector to plug into, I would assume it should work fine :|

I'll go and take a photo now...

I was unsure whether the white connector was in fully to be honest but I did prod at it with a screwdriver.





How do I find out the build date?

 

[Baldy76]

Hi Tommo, I fitted one of these to my April 03 build. There's a really good pdf file available for fitting the wheel by Bmw that will show you how to do it and will list the retro fit cable you need for an nearly car like yours.

If you can't find the pdf online then a trip to your dealer will get you the cable for less than a tenner and they'll give you a copy of the instructions if you ask too. I think others have made the cable themselves but the bought one contains all the proper connectors and cable ties.

Cheers,
Ed

 

[Tommo]

Here is a pic, the wheel is turned to the left.



A - is the only connector that is different to my old NON-MFSW. Its not there on the standard wheel.

At point A there are only 3 wires (one empty space) whereas at point B there are 4, thats the only obvious thing I can see.

As you can see though, my car already has the socket to plug the connector into so I would presume that no more wiring is needed??

Baldy76 - I thought that all the wiring comes with the wheel and the only bit of extra wiring is that white connector that my car actually has a space for, yet it doesn't seem to do anything.

 

[Baldy76]

Hi Tommo,

You need to get the lower steering colum cowling off and the instrument cluster out to retrofit the cable to get the buttons to work. You're right, all the wires seem to fit in the connectors that are present behind the airbag but without the retrofit cable further back behind the instrument cluster it doesn't work. I think this is necessary on all pre 04 cars. It's easy to fit though, as is removing the instrument cluster. Nothing needs to be reset and no coding was required. On mine at least!

Cheers

Ed

 

[Tommo]

Ah I see... Thanks for that.

I just don't understand what you mean by the lower steering colum cowling or instrument cluster?

Will go into BMW after work to pick up the cable, thanks.

 

[Tommo]

Thanks for that, Finally got my head around the diagrams and discovered I dont have any wiring to pin 9 & 10.

Just ordered the retrofit cable from my local BMW garage for £6.50. Although I've got to wait a week for it :x

I getting used to taking my car apart :lol:

 

[csmith319]

Hey Tommo - what part number did you use?

For some reason my wheel is not working and I haven't checked whether the wiring is there yet. So - did you take off the instrument cluster and the bottom of the steering column?

 

[Tommo]

I just rang up and said... I have a 2003 Z4 and I have bought a MFSW. I need to retrofit cable (which is what it is called on SHipkiller BMW PDF). The parts guy knew what it was straight away.

All you have to do is...Disconnect the battery, pop the airbag out, pull the steering column lever out to the adjust position, (Not sure If I took the wheel out fully or not, but may aswell) Unscrew the one screw next to the lever underneath and the plastic cover just wriggles out.

There is a plug which I think is a light green colour, you can see it from the right hand side of the wheel, and it plugs in towards the driver seat.

Take this out and the pins are labelled 1 - 5 & 6 - 10. If you need the Retrofit cable then Pins 9 & 10 should be empty.

BTW I didn't need to take the instrument cluster off to check this.

 

[csmith319]

Thanks Tommo - great description, I'll look in the next few days when I have the opportunity! Whilst I shouldn't have to do it - I want to make sure I've checked it before booking the car in for re-programming with my Indi.

 

[Tommo]

No probs.

Reprogramming?

 

[csmith319]

Well - if you look in the instructions, there is supposed to be a reprogramming step - i.e. the garage plugs some equipment into the car and adds functionality. It seems everyone else here has not needed this. However, the age of my car would suggest that I don't need the retrofit cable - however, the wheel does not work, so if the cabling is there, its likely I'm the unlucky sod that needs reprogramming!

 

[cj10jeeper]

No reprogramming needed at all on the dozens that have ben done by members on this forum. I've seen, advised on and done several and it's always the lead between the rear of the steering mount and the LCM that is missing, or someone has otherwise messed with the wiring. Check that first regardless of the age of build.

If you've downloaded the retrofit pdf instructions from memory the missing bit of lead is labelled 'H' and the PDF shows the exact pin connection points

 

[Tommo]

If you've downloaded the retrofit pdf instructions from memory the missing bit of lead is labelled 'H' and the PDF shows the exact pin connection points

Yes it does and its simply called Retrofit cable.

only taken the lower steering culumn off but it does look like its going to be a bit of a pain to feed the lead up along with the leads that are currently there. Must just be my gorilla hands

Oh well Im waiting "about a week" for this cable now :x

 

[cj10jeeper]

Take the instrument binacle out (a single torx screw then wriggle it out forward.)
On the RHS is the LCM module and appropriate large loom connector. Work through the instrument cluster hole with the cable and jobs easy enough.
(Welll it's actually a fiddly task to get the right pins and wires)

 

[Tommo]

Excellent Just wish I didn't have to wait this long.

I love this forum