[JStang]

A few months ago I starting having some issues. I first noticed reception cutting in and out while listening to the radio. The net day I got an SOS call malfunction followed by a total loss of sound and an unresponsive idrive controller.

I tried tracking down the issue myself and one thing I noticed was if I unplugged either the TCU or XM receiver in the trunk, I would regain functionality of the idrive system and the knob would work again.

I finally broke down and took the car to the dealer yesterday for diagnosis and I got an email this afternoon saying I need a new CCC. The quoted cost for part, coding/labor was $2020.50 plus tax. I about fell out of my chair.

Is it me, or is this crazy expensive? Does anyone have the part number for the CCC? Do the symptoms I am describing point to a failed CCC?

I appreciate your help!

[VTECaddict]

It's crazy expensive. For that price you can get a CIC or NBT retrofit done, which are much better systems.

SOS Call Malfunction points to something wrong with the TCU. I would get that from time to time with my CCC, but rebooting it (hold both eject buttons and power) would fix the problem and it would work fine for weeks/months again.

Does everything including sound work if you unplug the Sirius tuner? If it does, I would just do that...unless you actually subscribe to SiriusXM.

[JStang]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

It's crazy expensive. For that price you can get a CIC or NBT retrofit done, which are much better systems.

SOS Call Malfunction points to something wrong with the TCU. I would get that from time to time with my CCC, but rebooting it (hold both eject buttons and power) would fix the problem and it would work fine for weeks/months again.

Does everything including sound work if you unplug the Sirius tuner? If it does, I would just do that...unless you actually subscribe to SiriusXM.

Ok, glad it wasn't just me that thought the quote was ridiculous. When I were to unplug the XM tuner or TCU, I still wouldn't have any sound and I still had a SOS malfunction warning. I just regained control of the idrive.

[patents]

You can get a used CCC unit for a couple hundred bucks. Check ebay or just look/post in the classifieds. I do not know if you need to code anything for a direct CCC - CCC swap. If so, you can find a local or remote coder for less than the dealer. Changing out the unit is easy.

I would figure out what needs to be coded before you jump in a buy a used one, just so you know what you'll need to do.

[JStang]

Originally Posted by patents

You can get a used CCC unit for a couple hundred bucks. Check ebay or just look/post in the classifieds. I do not know if you need to code anything for a direct CCC - CCC swap. If so, you can find a local or remote coder for less than the dealer. Changing out the unit is easy.

I would figure out what needs to be coded before you jump in a buy a used one, just so you know what you'll need to do.

That's exactly the plan. Install seems easy enough and I should be able to get one for around $200.00.

[JStang]

I had the dealer give me a cost breakdown for labor and the part and she wasn't taking off the $500.00 core charge. Basically charging $1,000 for the part at 3.5 hours labor for a total of $1,500.00.

I think I can get it done under $300.00 on my own.

[JStang]

I have one on the way from an Ebay seller. $285.00 shipped with a 1 year warranty.

[VTECaddict]

Sounds to me like a bad TCU or other kind of fault along the MOST bus. If it was the CCC, it would still be not functional after disconnecting the TCU or SDARS.

I would recommend trying a MOST bus termination loop to remove the TCU and/or SDARS from the MOST loop and see if it works. The termination loop will remove the TCU or SDARS units from the MOST bus, but still complete the loop so the Logic7 amp can provide sound again.

[JStang]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

Sounds to me like a bad TCU or other kind of fault along the MOST bus. If it was the CCC, it would still be not functional after disconnecting the TCU or SDARS.

I would recommend trying a MOST bus termination loop to remove the TCU and/or SDARS from the MOST loop and see if it works. The termination loop will remove the TCU or SDARS units from the MOST bus, but still complete the loop so the Logic7 amp can provide sound again.

I actually bought another TCU at first and plugged it in and no dice. I didn't code it but nothing changed.

Can you explain how I would do what you are describing?

[VTECaddict]

Then perhaps its the SDARS unit thats faulty.

A MOST bus termination loop is basically a fiber optic loop you can buy from BMW to replace a MOST bus module. Since the MOST bus is a big continuous fiber optic loop between the head unit and all the other MOST bus devices, when you remove one device it breaks the loop. The termination loop will complete the loop again. https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=61136917541

You can also complete the loop by figuring out which fiber optic cable goes to what module, and remove it from the loop at the MOST bus distribution block under the left rear seat side bolster (that's where it is in the E90, not sure about E92). This is more complicated, but you won't have to buy anything to do it.

[JStang]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

Then perhaps its the SDARS unit thats faulty.

A MOST bus termination loop is basically a fiber optic loop you can buy from BMW to replace a MOST bus module. Since the MOST bus is a big continuous fiber optic loop between the head unit and all the other MOST bus devices, when you remove one device it breaks the loop. The termination loop will complete the loop again. https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=61136917541

You can also complete the loop by figuring out which fiber optic cable goes to what module, and remove it from the loop at the MOST bus distribution block under the left rear seat side bolster (that's where it is in the E90, not sure about E92). This is more complicated, but you won't have to buy anything to do it.

I will give this a shot if the CCC that is on order doesn't fix the problem. I figured I would let the dealer diagnose the issue instead of blindly throwing money at it. Hopefully they diagnosed it correctly.

[bmxkeeler]

When swapping from your original CCC to the new one did you have to have anything re-programmed?

[JStang]

Originally Posted by bmxkeeler

When swapping from your original CCC to the new one did you have to have anything re-programmed?

The issue ended up not being a bad CCC. The dealer misdiagnosed the problem and it ended up being a bad SAT Radio module. Do yourself a favor and buy the MOST bus jumper if you haven't positively diagnosed the issue yourself.

[bmxkeeler]

Copy that, thank you for the response!