BMWs are among the cars of the premium segment. The Bavarian manufacturer has been implementing advanced electronic solutions for decades, and each successive generation is more complex than the previous one. As a result, repairs no longer involve only mechanical troubleshooting, but also the coding of the on-board computer and the vehicle’s controllers.
BMW 530d E60 interior | photo: 1971markus [CC BY-SA 4.0]
What is the repair of electronics and controllers in BMW?
BMW cars, depending on equipment, have from a dozen to dozens of controllers connected by CAN and fiber optic networks. Advanced diagnostic tools allow us to find and locate damage both in the controllers themselves and in the transmission networks.
In most cases, the controllers are not repairable. Multilayer printing of electronic circuits and sometimes additional protection in the form of an insulating layer covering the entire board with its components prevent access and repair of the controller. Repairing the fault then involves repairing the damaged harness, plug or replacing the controller with a new one. After replacement, it is necessary to program the new controller and coding (assignment to the vehicle VIN number).
On the secondary market are offered in large quantities controllers disassembled from damaged vehicles sometimes even covered by a warranty for a short period of use. Attempts made to replace the controllers with used ones from another vehicle are not always successful. Controllers in BMW have a limited number of factory coding and programming as a result, it is not always possible to code them in the next vehicle. In addition, careful attention should be paid to the proper selection of the controller – equipment version, year of vehicle manufacture.
In our service we provide assistance in selecting the right controller for the vehicle and verification of used controllers (from Allegro or other sources) by checking their part numbers with the numbers in the BMW database.
FRM BMW controllers
In what time frame will the electronics and controllers be repaired at BMW?
The time it takes to replace the controllers depends on their location and the time it takes to upload the software. The time depends on the equipment and model of the vehicle and is always estimated before the repair is carried out.
BMW FRM controllers after flooding
For what period of time is the driver warranty valid and what does it cover?
The warranty provided by BMW covers a period of 24 months from the date of installation. Warranty exclusions apply to independent tampering with the controller or electrical system, or independent attempts at programming or coding. The warranty procedure requires a verification visit to the BMW ASO.
What elements make up the cost of repairing electronics and controllers in BMW?
The cost of repairing electronics and controllers in BMW consists of:
- the price of the controller
- its replacement
- programming and coding
The customized DSC module plug in BMW
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