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      01-15-2020, 10:25 AM   #1
RSouthern
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3rd row HVAC disabled?

We brought home our new 2020 M50i X7 last weekend and so far really love it, however we've found a problem that seems really odd and possibly dangerous. When the 3rd row seats are folded down, the 3rd row AC is disabled (we have the cold weather package). Probably an attempt to save fuel since you wouldn't need it to cool passengers who aren't sitting there, however the designers/engineers overlooked the possibility of carrying a dog (or dogs) in the back with the seats folded. This seems like it could become a real problem when the summer months roll around. The vents from the 2nd row can be aimed to blow air to the back but you pretty much need the fans a max to do anything, and there's so much glass that I believe the heat back there will be overwhelming.

Does anyone know how to communicate this pet safety concern to the BMW folks so that hopefully a software fix can be provided? I have mentioned this to our dealer and they have verified that the behavior is correct, at least, other X7s they have do the same thing. Seems like the engineers don't have dogs otherwise they may have thought of this.
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      01-15-2020, 11:23 AM   #2
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This is not a software glitch. Most cars without the 3rd row won't have AC back there in the trunk/cargo either, so what's the difference?
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      01-15-2020, 03:04 PM   #3
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Try messaging this person who posted the same issue earlier to see if they have any resolution:

https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...2&postcount=34
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      01-15-2020, 05:31 PM   #4
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@JFU, Thanks for passing along the pointer. I had looked through recent threads and hadn't seen this, I should have spent more time with search. I'll see if that poster had any luck chasing down BMW for a fix.

@unotaz, the point is we didn't buy a car without the 3rd row (and 5th zone HVAC), we got it with the 3rd row vents (cold weather package) because we have 2 big dogs and never thought to test the 3rd row ventilation with the seats down. We previously had Buick Enclave(s) - and while those were a mess, the 3rd row vents worked with the seats down. I think the Hyundai we test drove did too. I don't know if the GLS or Q7 did as we didn't get that far with the testing of those 2.
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      01-16-2020, 11:45 AM   #5
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I spoke with BMW customer care, not terribly helpful, I've had much better interactions with my Mercedes customer care and Nissan GTR specialists.

Anyway, what I did learn is they are apparently aware of the problem and are "working on it". The escalation engineer indicated that there is a software update they think may fix this but have no ETA nor can they confirm this will be fixed. Maybe late January, maybe later.

So I'm an eternal optimist, I hope this happens before the warm months arrive!
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      01-16-2020, 05:34 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RSouthern View Post
When the 3rd row seats are folded down, the 3rd row AC is disabled (we have the cold weather package).
There are only two vehicles I know of that leave the third row HVAC enabled with seats down... LR4 and 4L Q7. Almost anything newer is going to disable this feature to save fuel/energy or because it is has it's own thermostat in the rear where the others were traditional analog controls.
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      01-17-2020, 05:53 PM   #7
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That's good to know, are those 2 models also 5 zone HVAC?

I know from experience the 2019 Buick Enclave leaves the rear controls and 3rd row vents active to blow cold air to the back (3rd row and trunk area), however the rear controls are for the rear 2nd rows of seats... it has 3 or 4 zone (I don't remember exactly). So it's not quite a direct comparison I suppose, but the 3rd row vents will blow air with the seats folded. Since the only way to even get 3rd row vents on the X7 is with the cold weather package, this is a potential problem for those with the use case we have. We can't blow cold air past the 2nd row without the 3rd row seats up.

Speaking with the dealer they indicated they weren't aware of this issue until we brought it up. This behavior is not covered in the training they receive... it's a new car and an apparently uncommon problem. It's unlikely the dealer will allow an owner to test drive with dogs in the back to test the function either, so you're kind of stuck after purchase to find out that the system won't function as expected. Everyone I've spoken with at BMW corporate and the dealer all agree it's a potential problem for owners of dog(s) that would normally travel in the rear of the car. It's somewhat ironic since BMW also has (in some markets) the cargo bars that help keep dogs in the rear section of the car (behind the 2nd row seats). Maybe those markets are cold weather countries

Anyway, hopefully BMW is actually working on a fix and this otherwise great car will have 1 fewer "issue".
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      01-18-2020, 08:03 AM   #8
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no. four zone. if optioned that way. that is what i meant that third row is still analog so if the second row is operating the 3rd gets it regardless of occupants in that row or if seats are up or down.

this is one of the few times i agree with bmw. this can't be much of a priority as it would highly uncommon that one would want functions of the third row to operate without occupants in the third row in the same vein i understand your objective and application and can see why one would want it to work with seats down. not sure if there can be a resolution without tricking the system into thinking the seats are up/occupied.
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      01-21-2020, 03:15 PM   #9
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Agreed, applying logic to the system makes sense...along those lines, I would think the seat belt sensor should be able to enable the HVAC for the 3rd row... if the seats are up and the seatbelt loop is closed (seatbelt is on at least one passenger in the 3rd row) then enable the physical controls in the 3rd row (and on the front screen), otherwise disable in both places, unless seats are down, then only enable controls on the front screen (disable 3rd row controls)... this would allow driver to decide if the 3rd row should be active. Seems like it should be pretty easy and the sensors/trigger devices are there already, but this may be more complex than an average consumer would understand?
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      06-15-2020, 01:58 PM   #10
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possible good news! My dealer called me on Friday saying the updated software that will enable the 3rd row AC to be turned on regardless of the seat positions (i.e. carrying dogs in the back) is now available. We get the SW update installed tomorrow (Tuesday). Hoping this really works!

Anyone else notified by their dealer or already had the update?
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      06-15-2020, 04:55 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RSouthern View Post
possible good news! My dealer called me on Friday saying the updated software that will enable the 3rd row AC to be turned on regardless of the seat positions (i.e. carrying dogs in the back) is now available. We get the SW update installed tomorrow (Tuesday). Hoping this really works!

Anyone else notified by their dealer or already had the update?
Let us know how it goes.
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      06-15-2020, 10:04 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RSouthern View Post
possible good news! My dealer called me on Friday saying the updated software that will enable the 3rd row AC to be turned on regardless of the seat positions (i.e. carrying dogs in the back) is now available. We get the SW update installed tomorrow (Tuesday). Hoping this really works!

Anyone else notified by their dealer or already had the update?
Can you provide information on the software version if possible?
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      06-17-2020, 10:38 AM   #13
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Happy to report that the 3rd row AC is now working regardless of the seat position of the 3rd row. My dogs can finally keep cool just in time for the hot weather here in California! I have a 2020 M50i with the cold weather package, so keep that in mind, I don't know if this SW change will be applicable to all other models/years.

I got the car back late yesterday and did a quick test to make sure that I can control all aspects of the 3rd row heat/cooling/fan settings from the front interface. So far, so good! The option is no longer grayed out with the 3rd row seats down.

Apparently the SW upgrade took 4 hours!!!!

I'll be happy to report the SW version for the HVAC controls, someone just tell me where to look t make sure I report the correct version number(s).
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      06-17-2020, 10:40 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RSouthern View Post
Happy to report that the 3rd row AC is now working regardless of the seat position of the 3rd row. My dogs can finally keep cool just in time for the hot weather here in California! I have a 2020 M50i with the cold weather package, so keep that in mind, I don't know if this SW change will be applicable to all other models/years.

I got the car back late yesterday and did a quick test to make sure that I can control all aspects of the 3rd row heat/cooling/fan settings from the front interface. So far, so good! The option is no longer grayed out with the 3rd row seats down.

Apparently the SW upgrade took 4 hours!!!!

I'll be happy to report the SW version for the HVAC controls, someone just tell me where to look t make sure I report the correct version number(s).
Was there anything on the work order/invoice that shows what work and software version was installed?
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      06-17-2020, 11:06 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RSouthern View Post
Happy to report that the 3rd row AC is now working regardless of the seat position of the 3rd row. My dogs can finally keep cool just in time for the hot weather here in California! I have a 2020 M50i with the cold weather package, so keep that in mind, I don't know if this SW change will be applicable to all other models/years.

I got the car back late yesterday and did a quick test to make sure that I can control all aspects of the 3rd row heat/cooling/fan settings from the front interface. So far, so good! The option is no longer grayed out with the 3rd row seats down.

Apparently the SW upgrade took 4 hours!!!!

I'll be happy to report the SW version for the HVAC controls, someone just tell me where to look t make sure I report the correct version number(s).
Same here, updated last week and corrected the problem. After a year of complaining to the dealer and the factory (I live in Spartanburg) the problem has finally been resolved.
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      06-17-2020, 11:53 AM   #16
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To see software version on your idrive go to car -> settings -> general settings -> other -> remote software upgrade
My April built 40i has 03/2020.35
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      06-17-2020, 02:16 PM   #17
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the software currently on the car is 3/2020.58

since this appears to be reporting the remote software upgrade (OTA) version, and since the update required a dealer visit, I'm not sure this is necessarily the right version that we're looking at.

On the work order, the note says:
4296: Programming update for AC per BMWNA programming software update available for third row ac control w/seat folded down

hope that's enough to help others get their 3rd row AC working with the 3rd row seats folded.
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      06-17-2020, 04:13 PM   #18
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What makes you think this update required a dealer visit to get this functionality and not via an OTA? Do you remember what your previous software version was? I will speculate that the software version you posted includes this A/C system update, but because you complained pretty hard about this lack of functionality (which is good on you BTW), the dealer decided to do a manual update to make you a happy customer faster so you don't have to wait for the slow OTA process. Even X7's that don't have 3rd row A/C would benefit from other elements of the software update as well.

I guess the other test would be if there is anyone who has received the OTA update AND has 3rd row A/C to verify.
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      06-18-2020, 08:25 PM   #19
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My MY2019 is on 11/2019.40 with no upgrade available.

I really need the third row to work for my dogs.
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      06-19-2020, 04:18 PM   #20
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Well, I think I just got the 3/2020.58 software update, and it only took getting my windshield replaced to get it....

Ok not exactly, but I did just have my windshield replaced for another reason but then had a camera fault (the one mounted on the windshield) right after the install. As part of the troubleshooting, the dealer decided to do a software update to "re-initialize" the camera system. Didn't work so my X7 will be at the dealer for a few more days - but I did check the software version in my X7 and saw the update before I left the dealership.

So when I get my X7 back, I can test to see if this new rear A/C functionality is present with this software as well, along with any other new nuggets that might be present.....
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      06-21-2020, 10:12 AM   #21
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RSouthern - would you be willing to share your dealer information? I have forwarded this message to my dealer hoping they will be able to perform the same update for me as I too have dogs that travel in the rear... I sent my dealer an email but haven't received the response just yet.
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      06-23-2020, 11:58 PM   #22
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I tested my car today. I'm on 03/2020.35 and I was able to turn on 3rd row AC while the seats were folded down. I took delivery 10 days ago.
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