[Antartic]

I was planning to hardwire my V1 to my fusebox, using a fuse tap. I wanted to check with the service person at my dealer to make sure they won't freak out when I take my car in for oil change or other maintainence.

They said that making any changes to the fuse box will void the warranty to any electrical component of the vehicle, unless this hardwiring is done by BMW authorized and trained guy.

He also goes on to mention that if I route my wire through the roof and A-pillar that will also void any trim related warranty, and potentially anything that the wires power which run through the A pillar.

Is this guy full of crap or does BMW really get mad if I have a fuse tap to power my V1?

I really dont want to take out my entire hardwire set up everytime I visit the dealer....

thanks

[Coolieman1220]

You could just hide it because chances are they won't check your fuse box. If there is a warranty issue electrically they could use it against you. I'm sure if you put up a stiff enough fight they'll get over it because lets face it, you can't do much damage by hardwiring your V1 through your fuse box.

Why don't you try my method which is also in the DIY section. Remove the center roof trim piece where the sunroof controls are and tap the green and white sunroof wire (hard to find and hard to get ******* tap that wire with a wire tap then ground it out with the sunroof and you just have a simple wire that comes out by your mirror. No need to snake a wire anywhere. Easy to remove or tuck away for service and your service guys won't look up there for any reason.

[stratplaya06]

It shouldn't be an issue unless you're bringing the car in for an electrical or trim related problem. If you ever have an electrical issue be sure to take it out, though.

[NWcanuck]

I took off the A-pillar trim in my 2011 to hardwire my V1 and could not get it back on. I took it to Kuni BMW in Portland, they not only reinstalled the trim for free but also replace the clips with new ones. No one mensioned anything about warrenty issues.

[ceb]

The problem is that YMMV depend on the problem and the dealership but the sales adviser was technically correct.

I'll say it again. Our cars are very reliable (aside from issues like the HPFP) but the electrical systems are very fragile once modified.

The "A" pillars contain bits and pieces of the sidecurtain airbags and wiring could interfere with that.

The phrase "You've got to pay to play" certainly applies to the electrical system to your car. There is a good chance that you'll be OK with a mod like this if done properly but you have to be mentally prepared to pay the price for anything your mod breaks.

[I335]

Originally Posted by Coolieman1220

You could just hide it because chances are they won't check your fuse box. If there is a warranty issue electrically they could use it against you. I'm sure if you put up a stiff enough fight they'll get over it because lets face it, you can't do much damage by hardwiring your V1 through your fuse box.

Why don't you try my method which is also in the DIY section. Remove the center roof trim piece where the sunroof controls are and tap the green and white sunroof wire (hard to find and hard to get ******* tap that wire with a wire tap then ground it out with the sunroof and you just have a simple wire that comes out by your mirror. No need to snake a wire anywhere. Easy to remove or tuck away for service and your service guys won't look up there for any reason.

I've been running mine wired exactly like this for almost 3 years without an issue. Had it the same way in my X5 for 4 years as well. I don't care if the dealer sees it or not but I always take out my V1 when I take my car in for service. Not that I think they'd steal it, but if it ever wasn't there when I picked my car up I just don't want the hassle. I don't think the dealer will care about something like that at all unless you have a rocky relationship with them...

[hipnotic]

it shouldn't void it at all

[easyman]

Why not just hide the wiring for routine service.

I had mine hardwired to the sunroof for power. I would just tuck the power cord when I went in for routine service. And if anything ever comes up even remotely related to electronics or trim pull the whole kit out. Couldn't be proved anything was in there.

[ceb]

Originally Posted by josh06lau

it shouldn't void it at all

Are you volunteering to pay his bill if it does cause issues?

The problem is that the dealer was technically correct and it isn't that farfetched to blame virtually any electrical malfunction on tampering with the fuse box.

Only the OP can decide how risk averse he is. It appears his dealership has already made their opinion clear.

[pruettfan]

The car comes from the factory with a warning sticker about aftermarket electronics. I think it is clear that BMW does not want these cars electrical systems messed with at all. Having said that they cannot void the entire warranty based on hardwiring a radar detector. They will likely not cover anything electrical however.

[Forcefed3]

I did it

[captainaudio]

I take my car to BMW Manhattan, which is owned by BMWUSA, for service. I have a V1 an Escort SRX, two chargrers for USB phones and a NavAlert hard wired into my car. I also have a power outlet (cigarette lighter) in the trunk. I have made no effort to hide any of this from BMW Manhattan and they have not said a word about it when the car is taken in for service.


CA

[ceb]

It is so easy for you guys to say "don't worry about it, just do it" when you don't go to the OP's dealership.

I see some facts here:

BMW has officially taken a stand on electrical mods. It is in the owner's manual as well as on a sticker in your car window.

The OP's dealership has warned him about the consequences.

Everything else in this thread is uninformed opinion based on conjecture or personal experience at another dealership in another state.

[tmo24]

I took my last 335 to the dealership because my CA wasn't working very well. it lost sensitivity which was probably the sensor or the battery in my remote dying. But when they saw my radar hardwired, they automatically blamed it on that. I wrote a letter to the GM asking for proof that the radar hardwiring was the direct cause of my CA malfunctioning. I provided examples that my doors will unlock fine with my key in pocket and while washing my car. Assuming that the change in temperature has something to do wish how the sensor works. My point was that the radar was not the cause. He wrote back saying he is sorry and that he will gladly fix it since the tech could not provide anything that could prove without a doubt that the radar was the cause of the malfunction. This could have been avoided by simply pulling it and hiding wires. Instead, I spent a whole extra day without my car, and waited days for a response without getting it repaired. Then having to go back again and leave it for another day. Next time I'll spend 2 minutes to pull it and hide wiring. Every dealership will have a different take. You might get a tech who is very electronics savvy and has done many aftermarket mods with no consequences himself who will know that your radar is ok in there. You might also get the same guy who has had one problem who will always blame aftermarket electronics for electrical related issues. Just pull it to save the chances and headaches.

[FlowState]

I'm sure as long as you use a 2 amp fuse, and a proper circuit, nothing will come of it. Hardwired an Escort in my old (previous car. It was an 09) civic and Honda didn't give a crap..

[Antartic]

I just went ahead and installled the V1 to the fusebox.... having the wire hanging from the windshield and going to the passenger footwell is just too inconvenient. I'll see what happens.

the service guy also mentioned that if they find any unapproved modifications to the vehicle (hardwiring to fusebox is one)... they will make a note of it in my service history... even if I go for an oil change.

So later if I have an electrical issue and take out the hardwire before going to the dealership, they will still know that I screwed around with the fusebox.

The best bet I think is to simply take out the setup anytime the car is going to the dealership.

[Majikthese42]

If you read the fine print in the owner's manual and that sticker on the windshield, almost anything - including using an unapproved cell phone in the car - can void the warranty.

The legal intern must have had a lot of fun writing it!

I've tapped into my car fuse boxes for power back at the Dawn of Time but I don't go that route any more. Not that I think it's necessarily unsafe, but it's not definitely safe, either, so why take the chance? BMWs have been known for marginal electrics since the Dawn of Time, too.

[ceb]

The OP now knows the risks. We've told him, his dealership has told him that if they find evidence of mods that they will annotate his file and the OP appears to have made his decision.

While this is a pretty simple mod and "shouldn't" cause issues, a statement of this sort from my dealer would really make me consider if this mod is worth the risk. For me it wouldn't be worth the risk and I wouldn't take a previously modded car to that dealer in the future.

All mods leave some evidence once removed and since that particular dealer has gone on record that they would annotate all mods, going to that dealer means no mods or prepare to pay.

[persian54]

your dealer really sounds like an ass...

and you telling them never helped your case