Dealer updated DME without telling me. BM3 fails and my car is undrivable.

B58junky · 07-09-2021, 05:05 PM

Took my car in to have the HVAC sensor replaced and reprogrammed Bc the ac froze up on a long drive. When I picked up my car I noticed all my settings (driver seating etc) had been erased and half way home realized my Stage 2 93 Bootmod3 flash had been removed too. No problem. Went home and tried to flash my car back to stage 2. This is where things go wrong. The flash keeps failing at 3%. No matter what map I chose even stock. My cars stuck with the Drivetrain malfunction error and chassis stabilization error now. Keep trying to reflash hoping it’ll work. Nothing. So I contact BM3. Turns out the dealership updated my DME and it can no longer be flashed through the OBD port and I have to get the DME bench unlocked. I didn’t even know that older models like my 2017 B58 could have the DME upgraded to the latest that prevents flashing through thr OBD port. Has anyone come across this problem or something similar? What was the solution that doesn’t require me taking the DME and taking it to a tuner to get it bench unlocked? I talked to the general manager of the dealership and they’ve agreed to split the cost if I have to get the DME bench unlocked to fix my car Bc no one from the dealership informed me that the DME was going to and has been upgraded. Although I’m wondering if updating the DME is something they are allowed to do without asking permission. I’m literally stressed out working with BM3 to flash back to stock so the car at least works Bc rn it’s a brick. Also I was wondering how to tell if my DME is bricked?

Eschmacher · 07-09-2021, 05:28 PM

Guess you missed a ton of other posts about the same thing. The newest software the dealers are putting on the DME can't be flashed with BM3 like the older versions.

Edit: I missed the part where you mentioned you already reached out to PTF. My condolences, hopefully they come up with a way to break the new firmware so it's possible to flash through OBD again.

Maybe it's possible to flash older DME software through esys and then flash BM3 again?

shiftdnb · 07-09-2021, 05:41 PM

interesting I just read a post last night someone made about getting their software updated to the latest version. Someone posted about a SIB for your problem where AC having problems on a long drive and is a $4 dollar plastic part fix with an update to the software as a way to get a free upgrade to their software and people warned that it would get rid of any tunes.

capt_slow · 07-09-2021, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiftdnb

interesting I just read a post last night someone made about getting their software updated to the latest version. Someone posted about a SIB for your problem where AC having problems on a long drive and is a $4 dollar plastic part fix with an update to the software as a way to get a free upgrade to their software and people warned that it would get rid of any tunes.

That was probably me.

The OP's situation probably went like this:
Customer has AC complaint (it's a well known problem actually)->Dealer applies SIB to address said complaint->SIB calls for full car programming.

The dealer is splitting costs for the bench tune, I was expecting them to wash their hands of the matter completely

shiftdnb · 07-09-2021, 06:18 PM

Are they able to bench tune the updated DME yet?

B58junky · 07-09-2021, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eschmacher

Guess you missed a ton of other posts about the same thing. The newest software the dealers are putting on the DME can't be flashed with BM3 like the older versions.

Edit: I missed the part where you mentioned you already reached out to PTF. My condolences, hopefully they come up with a way to break the new firmware so it's possible to flash through OBD again.

Maybe it's possible to flash older DME software through esys and then flash BM3 again?

Yea I wish I knew about all this and read these posts ahead of time now lol.

B58junky · 07-09-2021, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_slow

That was probably me.

The OP's situation probably went like this:
Customer has AC complaint (it's a well known problem actually)->Dealer applies SIB to address said complaint->SIB calls for full car programming.

The dealer is splitting costs for the bench tune, I was expecting them to wash their hands of the matter completely

Wish I read that post. Just hoping I can get the car back to stock now at the very least.

Billfitz · 07-09-2021, 09:39 PM

My car hasn't seen the inside of a dealership since 2017, and it never will. They will 'upgrade' your software without your permission and in so doing wipe any coding you've done and worse.

zamboni · 07-09-2021, 09:50 PM

How you manage to get the car home if it's undriveable?

im_an_alien · 07-09-2021, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zamboni

How you manage to get the car home if it's undriveable?

I think OP got home and tried to flash bm3

B58junky · 07-09-2021, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by im_an_alien

I think OP got home and tried to flash bm3

Yes that’s correct.

B58junky · 07-09-2021, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

My car hasn't seen the inside of a dealership since 2017, and it never will. They will 'upgrade' your software without your permission and in so doing wipe any coding you've done and worse.

Yea I’ve avoided dealerships since my warranty expired but this specific ac problem required me to go to the dealer. Moving forward I’ll continue to avoid them unless absolutely required but I’ll make sure to tell them not to upgrade the DME or anything outside the work order. Lesson learned the hard way unfortunately.

Elvisfan · 07-09-2021, 11:27 PM

Apparently you own the car but Bmw owns the software.

B58junky · 07-10-2021, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elvisfan

Apparently you own the car but Bmw owns the software.

Yup, you'd think it would be different since you pay tens of thousands for the car smh.

shiftdnb · 07-10-2021, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elvisfan

Apparently you own the car but Bmw owns the software.

John Deere has entered the chat.

Hopefully we some movement in the right to repair laws.

agentorange · 07-11-2021, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elvisfan

Apparently you own the car but Bmw owns the software.

It's called the Microsoft business model. You don't own the Windows 10 on your computer (if that's what you're using) you just paid for a license.

capt_slow · 07-12-2021, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agentorange

It's called the Microsoft business model. You don't own the Windows 10 on your computer (if that's what you're using) you just paid for a license.

BMW could make some spare change licensing out tools and manuals for DIYers. They kinda do that now with a $25/day (or $2500/year) subscription to TIS, but prices are crazy.

However, after speaking with a few folks in the vehicle development side of the automotive industry, BMW corporate wants all work to be done in-house at their dealers as much as possible. Reading my manual today, I was a bit shocked I needed to bring my car to the dealer to refill DEF (spoiler: I didn't)

Quote:

BMW recommends that diesel exhaust fluid be added by the dealer’s service center within the course of regular maintenance.
...
You can replenish Diesel exhaust fluid yourself in exceptional cases, e.g., to get to your scheduled service.

Billfitz · 07-12-2021, 07:37 AM

Every manufacturer wants all work done in-house, because that's what pays the dealer's rent. This is why right to repair laws are critical. Without them Indy shops could disappear.

capt_slow · 07-12-2021, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Every manufacturer wants all work done in-house, because that's what pays the dealer's rent. This is why right to repair laws are critical. Without them Indy shops could disappear.

Agreed, but the vibe I got from some of industry insiders was that BMW was taking it one step further than other makes. Not quite Tesla level, but getting there.

relsah · 07-12-2021, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agentorange

It's called the Microsoft business model. You don't own the Windows 10 on your computer (if that's what you're using) you just paid for a license.

Yeah, but on my computer, I have the option whether to upgrade Windows 10 or not

RalF-BMW · 07-16-2021, 09:05 AM

After a bench unlock are you able to reflash the ECU as before?

TheFanatic · 07-16-2021, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RalF-BMW

After a bench unlock are you able to reflash the ECU as before?

yes

07-09-2021, 05:05 PM	#1
B58junky New Member 4 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW 440i Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Dealer updated DME without telling me. BM3 fails and my car is undrivable. Took my car in to have the HVAC sensor replaced and reprogrammed Bc the ac froze up on a long drive. When I picked up my car I noticed all my settings (driver seating etc) had been erased and half way home realized my Stage 2 93 Bootmod3 flash had been removed too. No problem. Went home and tried to flash my car back to stage 2. This is where things go wrong. The flash keeps failing at 3%. No matter what map I chose even stock. My cars stuck with the Drivetrain malfunction error and chassis stabilization error now. Keep trying to reflash hoping it’ll work. Nothing. So I contact BM3. Turns out the dealership updated my DME and it can no longer be flashed through the OBD port and I have to get the DME bench unlocked. I didn’t even know that older models like my 2017 B58 could have the DME upgraded to the latest that prevents flashing through thr OBD port. Has anyone come across this problem or something similar? What was the solution that doesn’t require me taking the DME and taking it to a tuner to get it bench unlocked? I talked to the general manager of the dealership and they’ve agreed to split the cost if I have to get the DME bench unlocked to fix my car Bc no one from the dealership informed me that the DME was going to and has been upgraded. Although I’m wondering if updating the DME is something they are allowed to do without asking permission. I’m literally stressed out working with BM3 to flash back to stock so the car at least works Bc rn it’s a brick. Also I was wondering how to tell if my DME is bricked? Last edited by B58junky; 07-09-2021 at 06:59 PM..
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07-09-2021, 05:28 PM	#2
Eschmacher Car Hypochondriac 335 Rep 903 Posts Drives: 2014 335i M-Sport Estoril Blue Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Sterling, VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 335i [0.00]	Guess you missed a ton of other posts about the same thing. The newest software the dealers are putting on the DME can't be flashed with BM3 like the older versions. Edit: I missed the part where you mentioned you already reached out to PTF. My condolences, hopefully they come up with a way to break the new firmware so it's possible to flash through OBD again. Maybe it's possible to flash older DME software through esys and then flash BM3 again?
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07-09-2021, 05:41 PM	#3
shiftdnb Lieutenant 379 Rep 422 Posts Drives: 2017 F31 328dx Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW F31 328d X ... [9.20] 2004 BMW 330i [10.00]	interesting I just read a post last night someone made about getting their software updated to the latest version. Someone posted about a SIB for your problem where AC having problems on a long drive and is a $4 dollar plastic part fix with an update to the software as a way to get a free upgrade to their software and people warned that it would get rid of any tunes.
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07-09-2021, 06:18 PM	#5
shiftdnb Lieutenant 379 Rep 422 Posts Drives: 2017 F31 328dx Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW F31 328d X ... [9.20] 2004 BMW 330i [10.00]	Are they able to bench tune the updated DME yet?
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07-09-2021, 09:39 PM	#8
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8283 Rep 16,149 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	My car hasn't seen the inside of a dealership since 2017, and it never will. They will 'upgrade' your software without your permission and in so doing wipe any coding you've done and worse.
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07-09-2021, 09:50 PM	#9
zamboni I want to drive a Zamboni 1132 Rep 5,559 Posts Drives: 13 E93 M3 18 F80 M3 16 K71 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monte Sereno, CA iTrader: (7) Garage List 16 K71 F800GT [10.00] 2018 F80 M3 [10.00] 2013 BMW E93 M3 [10.00]	How you manage to get the car home if it's undriveable? __________________ 18 F80 Imola Red 6MT 16 K71 F800GT Montego Blue 13 E93 M3 Melbourne Red 2000 E46,2006 E90,09 E82,13 E93 328i,14 F30 335i,18 F80 M3 My next vehicle would be a Zamboni
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07-09-2021, 11:27 PM	#13
Elvisfan Major 516 Rep 1,452 Posts Drives: 2018 430ix convertible MGM Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	Apparently you own the car but Bmw owns the software.
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07-12-2021, 07:37 AM	#18
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8283 Rep 16,149 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Every manufacturer wants all work done in-house, because that's what pays the dealer's rent. This is why right to repair laws are critical. Without them Indy shops could disappear.
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07-16-2021, 09:05 AM	#21
RalF-BMW Enlisted Member 12 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2015 335i M sport Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	After a bench unlock are you able to reflash the ECU as before?
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