[serrano]

Hi, so i'm having problems with my Telematics module on newly delivered G61 530e. It started just 2 days after i got the car, all online services stopped working - spotify, traffic info, MyBMW App can't connect, etc..
Dealer diagnosed and updated the firmware last week and everything got back online again, until yesterday. Same thing again.

I scheduled troubleshooting with them again, but it's in 2 weeks.
I'm thinking the workaround now would be to just try restarting the TCU - since i believe that's what actually "fixed" the problem last time.

Is there a fuse i can safely pull or is it a full battery disconnect that's needed?
If so, where is the battery?

PS. regular iDrive restarts are not helping (double screen restart, etc).

[MikeElmendorf]

Doesn’t the double iDrive reboot do this? Holding it down until it reboots, restarts and reboots again?

[serrano]

Tried 10+ restarts with single and double black screens. No effect.
When they did diagnostics and pulled the error codes, they were all related to features not having communication. I'm guessing the iDrive doesnt have full contact with the telematics so it's unable to send restart command - or something.

[Blue Sky]

Idrive reboot probably doesn’t touch it. Head unit reboot didn’t in earlier cars. If it’s like those cars, its essentially a cell modem in a little box usually in the trunk behind the side carpets, historically on/around strut tower. You’d need to disconnect it or the low voltage battery to power cycle it.

[dubb13]

That sucks what's your firmware version

[serrano]

Originally Posted by dubb13

That sucks what's your firmware version

I'm on 11/2024.25 according to the app.

[dubb13]

That's newer then the one they just released that's causing a shit ton of issues do you have issues with your ESIM? Are able to connect to YouTube or do you use the hotspot

[serrano]

Originally Posted by Blue Sky

Idrive reboot probably doesn’t touch it. Head unit reboot didn’t in earlier cars. If it’s like those cars, its essentially a cell modem in a little box usually in the trunk behind the side carpets, historically on/around strut tower. You’d need to disconnect it or the low voltage battery to power cycle it.

I read somewhere that the telematics has it's own backup battery for SOS calls when main power goes. Will try disconnecting the battery tomorrow and hopefully the modem powers down even with the backup.

[serrano]

Originally Posted by dubb13

That's newer then the one they just released that's causing a shit ton of issues do you have issues with your ESIM? Are able to connect to YouTube or do you use the hotspot

Yeah iDrive is nagging about eSIM every startup, doesn't want to remember my choice for "use for data only". Youtube did work fine though.
Now with the telematics issue eSim doesn't work at all.

[Blue Sky]

Originally Posted by serrano

I read somewhere that the telematics has it's own backup battery for SOS calls when main power goes. Will try disconnecting the battery tomorrow and hopefully the modem powers down even with the backup.

You’re right, I’d completely forgotten about that. Yes the battery can die, and generally does if you have the car long enough. I have replaced the backup battery on a couple of BMWs. If you want to power cycle it without finding the telematics box, you have to leave the car battery disconnected for at least a whole day in order to run down the backup battery. I don’t recall exactly how long for a newish battery.

[dubb13]

Ok but it's working a lot of us it's broken from that last update and we canceled the service form our providers I cannt use any of it including YouTube so I guessing the update you have may fix that