TCU? The bluetooth module is known as a ULF....

 

TCU is Telematics Control Unit - aka BMW Assist with Bluetooth - available for iBus vehicles it was standard on most US E53s from 2004+ and also available on E83s.

It's a cheaper alternative to the ULF, but doesn't have the voice activated navigation capabilites.


The TCU always goes into pairing mode when the ignition is first turned on. You shouldn't need NavCoder to kick off pairing.

Try seeing if the TCU shows up on your (i assume) phone in BT devices when you first turn on ignition.

 

The pairing code is on the unit like the ULF, I'd assume?

 

Yep it should work but it won't go into pairing mode

When using navcoder to force pairing it throws up the above error

 

Pretty sure the TCU does not have a pairing mode as such, so NavCoder does not get a reply to the 'enter pairing mode' message and throws the error. Just do a search for audio accessories from the phone and you should find the device BMW94125 which you can then connect to.

 

That was my understanding of it all too Richard. However it doesnt show up anywhere, Laptop, Iphone, Sony phone, Nokia Phone.....

 

TCU does support Bluetooth and goes into to auto pair mode when the ignition is turned on.

The TCU is a modular unit and should have 4 Farkara connectors on the end of the unit. There are at least 4 circuit boards inside the TCU, 1. Bluetooth Module, 2. Cell Phone Board, 3. GPS Interface, 4. Main Controller Board.

I have had issues where the Bluetooth board goes bad and does not respond. Had this problem with my '06 E46. TCU was replaced under 48/50 Warranty.

I would pull the unit apart and check the connections to the BT board, make sure there is no corrosion and look closely for broken solder joints.

Depending on your unit, I may have a BT module for a TCU if I can find it??

Somewhere I have pictures of the inside of a TCU I will try to add to the thread later today.

 

TCU Pictures:

Smaller daughter board with the Cream colored Farka connector is the Bluetooth module. This TCU is opened and the 4th Farka connector for the GPS input is not shown.

Hope this is somewhat helpful.

 

Thanks guys


I am returning the unit to the company I bought It from now and will look for a different unit.

 

Make sure you look at the different versions, some of the earlier versions default when the BMW Assist is not enabled and it will not allow your audio system to function.

 

Thanks

Have found a late gen ulf so we shall see