[thatSoundsExpensive]

Bought a 2019 BMW X7 a month ago from a dealer, has 3 months warranty on it. It has the "emergency call system failure" which to my amazement has been a common problem on all models with the shark fin antenna.

I have ISTA+ setup and running

Hoping some experts here might be able to help:

Here what I know so far ....

1. I have replaced the TCB battery - still getting the error

2. The old battery measured over 8 volts which suggests it wasnt a battery problem

3. I pressed the SOS button and was able to talk to BMW support - so the GSM part of the module seems to work fine (if i'm correct in assuming the TCB manages this)

4. The nav map thinks i'm in another state and spins around occassionally

5. ISTA+ reports GPS aerial short circuit to ground (i dont know what this means)

6. Emergency call LED, fault

7. TCB: Short circuit to ground

I'm guessing this is going to be a GPS antenna replacement and TCB module replacement.

Yes its under warranty so why not just let the BMW service deal with it? I'm trying to learn more about ISTA+ for future non warranty issues and also because I just like problem solving.

Any thoughts here? I'm i reading this issue correctly?

[keg97]

It's a water intrusion issue through the shark fin and I believe the water leaks down into the driver side rear wheel well and shorts out a box back there. It's a 3K repair job. I had it done twice as my dealer didn't properly seal the shark fin the first time.

[tinfoiltuna]

This just happened with my X3, only a couple weeks after my CPO expired... Dealer quoted ~$2600 to fix (begging BMW NA to help me out here). The fin broke and started leaking water, screwing up electronics. This is what they have listed as needing to be done:

Replace TCB, TCB Battery, Roof Antenna, Seal Shark Fin, Program Vehicle

[Saejin]

$2600 is spot on. Happened to my X7. Most of the cost is labor.

[thatSoundsExpensive]

This issue has been going on for over 10 years it seems. You'd reckon BMW might have sorted this out by now. It must make them a fortune in part sales. My car is 4 years old. If it wasn't under warranty i'd be chasing them under fair trading laws.

[thatSoundsExpensive]

finally managed to get the TCU out. Not an easy job with the sunroof option I can tell you.

Looks like water damage im guessing?

Can you buy a used TCB and program it to the X7 using ISTA+ or does it have to be brand new and only done by BMW tech?

[TheNine90]

Needs to be brand new bought from dealer using the vehicle's vin.
You can install it yourself, make sure you seal it properly. The new unit will need coding, you can do it using esys.

[thatSoundsExpensive]

hey thanks for the info - much appreciated!

[thatSoundsExpensive]

can the telematics module be coded with ista+ (rather than esys)?

[Orient330iNYC]

Just had this happen to me tonite. Car is 16 months old.

[keg97]

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

Just had this happen to me tonite. Car is 16 months old.

Warranty repair! Should take 3-5 days once they have the parts.

[TheNine90]

Originally Posted by thatSoundsExpensive

can the telematics module be coded with ista+ (rather than esys)?

Yes, its possible to do it with ista but it takes longer with ista since it will have to update the whole vehicle first if there are updates available.

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by keg97

Warranty repair! Should take 3-5 days once they have the parts.

Yep, read about this in the past, just surprised its still happening, its a problem going back 10 years...

[thatSoundsExpensive]

Originally Posted by TheNine90

Yes, its possible to do it with ista but it takes longer with ista since it will have to update the whole vehicle first if there are updates available.

Thanks again. I've bought a 60A battery support unit. Hoping that will be enough to get it done. I'll run a full system update anyway just to bring everything up to date.

Called bmw spare parts here in Sydney, Australia. Part cost was quoted $1591 for the telematics module which has to be shipped from Germany (3 week lead time). I will also replace the antenna at a cost of $318.

My plan is:

1. Remove shark fin housing
2. Remove and replace antenna module
3. Thoroughly clean bottom of shark fin antenna and vehicle (sand bottom of shark fin lightly if required)
4. Apply SIKA activator 205
5. Apply Sikaflex 255 Extra+ Windscreen Adhesive and re-bond shark fin to car
6. Cure for 24 hours
7. Replace and register telematics module

[keg97]

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

Yep, read about this in the past, just surprised its still happening, its a problem going back 10 years...

Agree 100%. My dealer had to complete this two times over 3 months b/c the sharkfin wasn't properly attached during the first repair.

[XM Label]

My warning just popped up but went away within 10 minutes on its own…wondering if this is a sign of things to come.

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by BMWXMBlack

My warning just popped up but went away within 10 minutes on its own…wondering if this is a sign of things to come.

Have you driven/parked in the rain recently?

[XM Label]

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

Have you driven/parked in the rain recently?

Was driving in the rain…

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by BMWXMBlack

Was driving in the rain…

Unfortunately i think you are in my boat... Mine happened after driving in the rain for a few hours.

[XM Label]

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

Unfortunately i think you are in my boat... Mine happened after driving in the rain for a few hours.

Weird thing is it went away on its own after 10 minutes while driving, then it sat in the rain for 10 hours parked, then I drove home for several hours in the pouring rain and no issues….

[crackerjack15]

Happpend on my 2019 twice. First time the dealer didn't put enough adhesive to the underside of the shark fin and it leaked and ruined the unit a 2nd time. I was in Flordia when it failed. The tech in florida was cool and brought me out in the service area and showed me how they screwed up. So the first dealer ended up having to pay for the repair.

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by BMWXMBlack

Weird thing is it went away on its own after 10 minutes while driving, then it sat in the rain for 10 hours parked, then I drove home for several hours in the pouring rain and no issues….

it will likely be back... i now suspect that the random cargo area lights coming on i was seeing is related. the back lights randomly came on while driving starting around 6months of ownershop, and now i realize it was when it was raining. opening and closing the trunk would clear it. it only happened three times over the course of a year so i dismissed it as a bug.

but i suspect there's been a small leak that finally got the telematics unit.