[jimarizona]

I am getting the message "Emergency Call System Malfunction" on my 2018 BMW 530. It cannot be cleared and blocks info including odometer. Dealer says it is over a $1K repair that will get rid of the message but services tied to 3G are no longer available. Is there anyway to get this message removed or to at least see the odometer reading on the vehicle.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by jimarizona

I am getting the message "Emergency Call System Malfunction" on my 2018 BMW 530. It cannot be cleared and blocks info including odometer. Dealer says it is over a $1K repair that will get rid of the message but services tied to 3G are no longer available. Is there anyway to get this message removed or to at least see the odometer reading on the vehicle.

Your 2018 G30 has a LTE radio (4G) and LTE is slated to be around until at least 2030. 90% of the time when this issue occurs, it's the backup battery in the telematics unit mounted above the headliner near the center mounted brake lamp. You'll need to remove the high mounted brake lamp then release some of the headliner clips to get your hands in there to get to the telematics battery.

This should be the battery for your car, but double check the part number.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...y/84106833994/

[I3LaZeN]

Buy the battery, its about $100, and its very easy to access and replace as mentioned above.

Im stuck with mine for now until i replace my TCU unfortunately as water got into it from the antenna

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by I3LaZeN

Buy the battery, its about $100, and its very easy to access and replace as mentioned above.

Im stuck with mine for now until i replace my TCU unfortunately as water got into it from the antenna

How's that happen? You have the roof wrapped?

[I3LaZeN]

Originally Posted by NGT2

How's that happen? You have the roof wrapped?

Yeaa got it wrapped like a year and a half ago, it was fine and i'm guessing a space opened up by the antenna part recently and water got in.
I just ordered a new TCU for around $750, gotta get it put in.

[jimarizona]

Is there anyway to turn the message off or at least get to an odometer display. Dealer actually told me that system is 3G and won't work even if I repair the system.

[jimarizona]

Originally Posted by claykin

Your 2018 G30 has a LTE radio (4G) and LTE is slated to be around until at least 2030. 90% of the time when this issue occurs, it's the backup battery in the telematics unit mounted above the headliner near the center mounted brake lamp. You'll need to remove the high mounted brake lamp then release some of the headliner clips to get your hands in there to get to the telematics battery.

This should be the battery for your car, but double check the part number.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...y/84106833994/

Is there anyway to turn message off or at least get an odometer display. Dealer said mine is 3G and won't work even if I replace battery for $1000

[claykin]

Originally Posted by jimarizona

Is there anyway to turn message off or at least get an odometer display. Dealer said mine is 3G and won't work even if I replace battery for $1000

Unfortunately, this is a case of dealer ignorance.

https://www.bmwpartsdeal.com/parts-l...trol_unit.html

You can reset the fault, but it will continue to return until the battery is changed. The battery is under $100. Do it yourself or take it to an indy shop.

BTW, 3G is for the F10 5 series telematics unit (up to MY2016).

[NGT2]

I'm really shocked, and maybe shouldn't be, that they keep telling you the stuff about 3G. That's why I didn't buy an F10 gen 5 series. I found that out. But the G30 isn't on 3G. I feel like that would be a really basic thing for a dealer to know.

[LuvMyE92]

I had this battery go out on my previous G30, replaced the battery under warranty.

It's stupid crap like this - or more accurately, the stupid annoying messages telling you that something that you don't care about has failed - that makes me wary of owning a contemporary BMW out of warranty.

The battery should be a DIY if you are capable of such. Even if the system doesn't work, at least you'll get rid of the message with a new battery.

Oh yeah - and when I had mine done, under warranty, natch the tech didn't assemble it back correctly and left me with a roof rattle until I smacked the trim back in place.

[mrgicm]

It can be coded out, PM me if you need to have the error message coded out.

[simonbmw1209]

The same error message has appeared in my 2019 G30. I cleared it by resetting the iDrive, but in talking to a local dealer there have been a few of these recently. Looking at other posts it may be related to a leak around the antenna fin, since we have just had the first significant rain of the winter.
If so this seems to be a generic fault to me.

[CFAutd]

Main dealership noticed on service the SOS battery was overdue for a change and offered to replace for 425 euro. I was unaware of any issues as there were no error messages present. Short time later during first cold snap of -5C, the battery error message finally appeared on screen. I sourced a battery for 75 euro and it only took 10 mins to replace.

I popped the clips and removed panel under shark fin, popped two clips on liner and had easy access to module to replace battery.

No more error messages.

[Mick800]

Had the same on my G31 had to go Sytner dealership drop headlining £638 for the battery change. A bit of an oversight by BMW designers me thinks.

[Agent K]

This message recently popped up on my display on my 2019. Was told my BMW customer service to take it to the dealership. They replaced the battery under warranty. It was annoying not being able to clear the message.

[Junebug85]

Originally Posted by Mick800

Had the same on my G31 had to go Sytner dealership drop headlining £638 for the battery change. A bit of an oversight by BMW designers me thinks.

They charged £638 to change the battery?

I replaced the battery in my G30 for £56, purchased from my local Sytner dealer. I was able to pull the headliner down at the back a little and access the TC Box to change the battery.

[Mick800]

Originally Posted by Junebug85

They charged £638 to change the battery?

I replaced the battery in my G30 for £56, purchased from my local Sytner dealer. I was able to pull the headliner down at the back a little and access the TC Box to change the battery.

On the G31 the whole headlining has to come down. Further complicated by the pano sunroof.

[Junebug85]

Originally Posted by Mick800

On the G31 the whole headlining has to come down. Further complicated by the pano sunroof.

Ow wow! Sounds like a big job and labour intensive, hence the price then.

[Mick800]

Originally Posted by Junebug85

Ow wow! Sounds like a big job and labour intensive, hence the price then.

Yes I believe battery was only £60 - 70 rest labour. What a bad design flaw surely they could have run wiring down one of pillars or even put some kind of flap in roof lining.

[antsgame]

Originally Posted by jimarizona

I am getting the message "Emergency Call System Malfunction" on my 2018 BMW 530. It cannot be cleared and blocks info including odometer. Dealer says it is over a $1K repair that will get rid of the message but services tied to 3G are no longer available. Is there anyway to get this message removed or to at least see the odometer reading on the vehicle.

BMW SOS battery cost me approx £70 pounds and took 2 mins to replace. Don't take the whole headliner off just pull some of it back and take the old battery out and replace. Becareful with the clips. 👍

[Johnny Grabble]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

£15 on Amazon for mine. 10 minute job. There are Youtube videos out there explaining how to do it.

[Magician1979]

Originally Posted by mrgicm

It can be coded out, PM me if you need to have the error message coded out.

Just registered so it won’t let me PM anyone. Can anyone send me the instructions on how to disable Emergency Call System for a 2019 540i x-Drive? I got the Emergency Call System Malfunction error code again. First time was a few months ago. They replaced the battery and it went away and now it’s back and I don’t want to spend another $300-400 again. I’d rather just disable that system since I don’t really need it. I purchased the OBDLink CX and downloaded BimmerCode. I hope I got the right thing to disable it. Please help