[schpenxel]

This is how you build a harness to simply plug in your new combox module without cutting any wires on your car and without re-pinning an connectors on the car (only applicable to cars with CIC or CIC retrofits of course..). This particular guide is only for cars with TCU's ONLY, but I can help with MULF systems as well.

Here's the basics of what you need:

Combox side:
1 x 61136913644, BMW, connector, 26 pin
1 x 61136913626, BMW, socket housing, 26 pin
~15 (order 20) x 928999-6, TE, female pins (BMW has these too, but they are like $1 a piece, easier to just buy them from onlinecomponents.com. Exact same thing
22 AWG wire

TCU side:
1 x 37758, Kufatec, 54 pin connector. socket housing is included
~15 (order 20) 1-928918-1, TE, male pins (BMW has these too, easier to just buy them from onlinecomponents.com. Exact same thing)

Here's what it looks like in the end:



Combox end. The blue'ish green connector has the pins labeled so you can use that to figure it out


TCU end below. Notice I wrote pin #'s on connector--bottom is 37, top is 54. On the next row down (towards the floor in the pic), bottom pin is 19, top is 36. and Bottom row, bottom is 1, top is 18


And here is how it is wired:

TCU (BLACK)-------------------Combox (BLUE GREEN)

Pin---Description--------------Pin---Description

1----Mic(pos)------------------------25----Mic(pos)
4----AUX-GND-----------------------10----AUX-GND
15---Crash Sig.----------------------7----Crash Sig.
17---30 Power+ 5A------------------2----30 Power+ 5A
18---30 Power+ 10A-----------------1----30 Power+ 10A
19---MIC(neg)-----------------------12-----MIC(neg)
21---MIC Shield----------------------11-----MIC Shield
23---Shield---------------------------22-----Shield
31---SOS sig.f Button---------------18-----SOS sig.f Button
33---Wakeup-------------------------15-----Wakeup
36---31 GROUND(neg)--------------14----31 GROUND(neg)
37---emerg. Speak.(pos)------------21----emerg. Speak.(pos)
38---emerg. Speak.(neg)------------20----emerg. Speak.(neg)
50---emerg. butt LED----------------17----emerg. butt LED
54---GROUND-

That's it. The only elusive part is the black connector from kufatec. It takes a full 4 weeks to get them in.. so I ordered 3

I'll post more detail on how to crimp the wires, etc. when I have more time

 

[dbond]

nice DYI! thanks for sharing! Can you share part number for MULF Kufatec male connector?

 

[schpenxel]

nice DYI! thanks for sharing! Can you share part number for MULF Kufatec male connector?

It is the same as the TCU part number--the difference between the two options are mainly in the wiring as some things come from the MULF then instead of TCU from what I've read

You'd just need to order two of the Kufatec connectors :thumbup:

 

[kswag]

Nice! So plug n play and bam, you have internet, video playback, web apps, Bluetooth audio, and album art? What did it all parts cost you? I think it's ridiculous that Bimmertech wants $1000+ for Combox/6NR when it's essentially, a few software upgrades. I would love to add this mod but not at that price.

 

[schpenxel]

Have to do some coding too.. and some other wiring for the USB cables, ports, bluetooth antenna, etc.

Def. more to it than just this harness, but this is a big part of it. The kufatec connector is the problem most people have when trying to do this as BMW doesn't sell that connector (AFAIK anyways)

I'll take some pics when I install mine and explain the rest once I figure it all out

Parts are fairly cheap. The Combox end is about $14 for the connectors + a few bucks for the wiring pins. TCU end is $12 something for the connector + another few bucks for the pins

Def. less than $50 total

 

[djcwardog]

Guys,

I saw this illustration from the magnum opus 50pp post elsewhere and I thought it would help get us focused on how to wire up the 6FL/6NF in our cars when we want the functionality but do not want the expense and loss of console storage space when using baseplate/cradle.

http://www.bmwcoding.com/showthread...Swap)-6FL-6NF-6NR/page10&highlight=6FL+combox

Looks like we buy some selected BMW parts (the switchable USB/AUX for the inside of the console seems a must) and go boldly into our harnesses with a soldering gun and small pins...where others have boldly gone...

 

[djcwardog]

I put details in another thread, but I reckon going with as much OEM stuff as we can, the extra cables and jacks add a couple hundred to the tab - beyond a combox - and well worth it. With good parts pricing, getBMWparts could ship you a combox telematics and all this stuff for a bit $600. The coding will be fun but some good threads from 2011 show the evolution of collective knowledge in how to make this retrofit easier than before. So far II have not had to decode base 64 data into a format for FSC's - and I don't want to start! (Yes, some of these mods require a solid foundation in computers and languages. Thanks to the early (and very smart) adopters who got this to the point where I want to try it. Worst case, I contact Vlad again at Bimmer Retrofit and pay $250 for remote coding...

 

[whdigital]

*Moving to CIC Retrofit thread where I think it belongs....

 

[vadimr]

I put details in another thread, but I reckon going with as much OEM stuff as we can, the extra cables and jacks add a couple hundred to the tab - beyond a combox - and well worth it. With good parts pricing, getBMWparts could ship you a combox telematics and all this stuff for a bit $600. The coding will be fun but some good threads from 2011 show the evolution of collective knowledge in how to make this retrofit easier than before. So far II have not had to decode base 64 data into a format for FSC's - and I don't want to start! (Yes, some of these mods require a solid foundation in computers and languages. Thanks to the early (and very smart) adopters who got this to the point where I want to try it. Worst case, I contact Vlad again at Bimmer Retrofit and pay $250 for remote coding...

Just get combox media from getbmwparts.com it's $290+ shipping and since you cannot use any of the telematics functions you might as well save a $110. It's part #84109257160

-Vadim

 

[Maini]

This is how you build a harness to simply plug in your new combox module without cutting any wires on your car and without re-pinning an connectors on the car (only applicable to cars with CIC or CIC retrofits of course..). This particular guide is only for cars with TCU's ONLY, but I can help with MULF systems as well.

Here's the basics of what you need:

Combox side:
1 x 61136913644, BMW, connector, 26 pin
1 x 61136913626, BMW, socket housing, 26 pin
~15 (order 20) x 928999-6, TE, female pins (BMW has these too, but they are like $1 a piece, easier to just buy them from onlinecomponents.com. Exact same thing
22 AWG wire

TCU side:
1 x 37758, Kufatec, 54 pin connector. socket housing is included
~15 (order 20) 1-928918-1, TE, male pins (BMW has these too, easier to just buy them from onlinecomponents.com. Exact same thing)

Here's what it looks like in the end:



Combox end. The blue'ish green connector has the pins labeled so you can use that to figure it out


TCU end below. Notice I wrote pin #'s on connector--bottom is 37, top is 54. On the next row down (towards the floor in the pic), bottom pin is 19, top is 36. and Bottom row, bottom is 1, top is 18


And here is how it is wired:

That's it. The only elusive part is the black connector from kufatec. It takes a full 4 weeks to get them in.. so I ordered 3

I'll post more detail on how to crimp the wires, etc. when I have more time

Thanks!! This is great!! Will this work on my CCC car with the new Nav System?? Also if you have connected your Iphone with IoS 7 to this system will the Calendar also synch with the car?? The reason why I as is I am in Sales and I drive quite a bit and want to be able to uzi my calender to click on the address rather than type it in every time. So I am keen on getting the Combox.. if I can get that to work. Right now I use BMW assist but that contract is coming to be over soon and I dont want to renew it at $199 per month. I rather add something to my car to achieve the same objective. I think I can search the forums and get all the P/N of the h/w I need and then probably put together the cable tooa nd make all the connections.. I will need help with programming etc... One shop I called and they said that I have the latest version of iDrive software so I would need a FSC code to connect the Combox so the total cost would be about $1500. I am in Bay Area San Jose in CA. So if someone out there can help me.. I am willing to attempt this... Do let me know if I can get coding help in Bay area.. I am willing to pay but if someone really knows this stuff.. Thanks

 

[schpenxel]

I certainly wouldn't be going back to that shop.. there is no way to add combox to the CCC system. Are you sure yours IS a CCC version and not CIC? I thought in 2010 they had switched to CIC only. How many CD/DVD slots does your car have?

It can only be done to CIC and you're going to be paying more than $1500 when it's all over (if you have to completely retrofit from CCC to CIC).

Now if you already have a CIC system, $1500 is a ripoff for the combox in my opinion. Even vendors on here only charge I believe $600 for a full kit and the coding. FSC codes aren't a problem so not sure what they are talking about there. Your CIC does need to at least be on V41, but that has nothing to do with a FSC code

I do not think an iphone will sync the calendar, messaging, etc. to a combox. I know on some of the beta versions of either ios 6 or 7 all that supposedly worked, but it doesn't (last I read anyways) actually work on the official release. There is some protocol that Apple doesn't tend to support so you're probably out of luck there, at least for the time being

Sorry--not much you can do without completely upgrading to a CIC system, and it sounds like even then it wouldn't do what you want in terms of calendars

 

[Maini]

I certainly wouldn't be going back to that shop.. there is no way to add combox to the CCC system. Are you sure yours IS a CCC version and not CIC? I thought in 2010 they had switched to CIC only. How many CD/DVD slots does your car have?

It can only be done to CIC and you're going to be paying more than $1500 when it's all over (if you have to completely retrofit from CCC to CIC).

Now if you already have a CIC system, $1500 is a ripoff for the combox in my opinion. Even vendors on here only charge I believe $600 for a full kit and the coding. FSC codes aren't a problem so not sure what they are talking about there. Your CIC does need to at least be on V41, but that has nothing to do with a FSC code

I do not think an iphone will sync the calendar, messaging, etc. to a combox. I know on some of the beta versions of either ios 6 or 7 all that supposedly worked, but it doesn't (last I read anyways) actually work on the official release. There is some protocol that Apple doesn't tend to support so you're probably out of luck there, at least for the time being

Sorry--not much you can do without completely upgrading to a CIC system, and it sounds like even then it wouldn't do what you want in terms of calendars

My mistake.. mine is the CIC System.. it is a 2010 car.. so all I need is the Combox.
But I am sad ;( as it would not do what I wanted it to do.. I guess the next is to try (with my accent) to convince my car nav to take me there by speaking into it... I think it is a long shot. I dont need the Combox if it cannot do it. But would like to see if I can get it done for $600 then I dont mind it.. it will be good to have. ANYONE IN BAY AREA?? Nor Cal do this??

 

[djcwardog]

"Back Porch" Package

Look what arrived yesterday! This is a Gen1 combox, 9248181, and it is a BN2000, Version: US. Looks like it was built 09/10/2010. Model #BE-B035, HW# 004.030.002, SW: 002.005.025. What version would that be? 30?, 25? Obviously, once connected I will read out the particulars, but curious as to the "no earlier than" s/w level.

The interesting thing is that it was marketed as a "combox media" off of a 2011 E-Car, but it clearly has the jack for connecting the two telematics antennae. That, the black 26-pin socket, and the part # lookup on RealOEM before buying make me believe that I got a solid deal on a combox telematics suitable for use in my E63. Am I right?

If so, this is fine, even if I code the $639 BMW Assist off the VO so I can get BMW Live (it's either/or), yes?

Are these units the same inside, i.e this one has same circuits, etc, as a current #9247163? If so, it probably would need just a firmware update to function fully?

All my small parts are on the way from getBMWparts, so I will get rolling in a few days.

 

[schpenxel]

You def. got a telematics version.. that much I am sure of

01

Combox for Telematics

1

10/2010

84109248181

ENDED

*******> ********>

 

[vadimr]

Look what arrived yesterday! This is a Gen1 combox, 9248181, and it is a BN2000, Version: US. Looks like it was built 09/10/2010. Model #BE-B035, HW# 004.030.002, SW: 002.005.025. What version would that be? 30?, 25? Obviously, once connected I will read out the particulars, but curious as to the "no earlier than" s/w level.

The interesting thing is that it was marketed as a "combox media" off of a 2011 E-Car, but it clearly has the jack for connecting the two telematics antennae. That, the black 26-pin socket, and the part # lookup on RealOEM before buying make me believe that I got a solid deal on a combox telematics suitable for use in my E63. Am I right?

If so, this is fine, even if I code the $612 BMW Assist off the VO so I can get BMW Live (it's either/or), yes?

Are these units the same inside, i.e this one has same circuits, etc, as a current #9247163? If so, it probably would need just a firmware update to function fully?

All my small parts are on the way from getBMWparts, so I will get rolling in a few days.

So you are the guy that got it for $290 on ebay . Good luck. I recently picked up 84109257164 which is the latest Gen3 combox with GPS connector (this was installed in cars that shipped with combox but without CIC, the GPS is used for BMW Assist). I paid $220 and after I realized I could have just bought brand new combox media from the dealer for $290, the telematics one that I got goes for around $400 from the dealer so I guess it was a decent deal but since you cannot use the telematics functionality, who cares?. I'm not ready to install mine yet, still waiting on a few parts, one being those Kufatec connectors. I have a 2010 E61 with 6FL, so I have TCU and MULF-HI, I also believe I have the stupid USB hub somewhere under the seat, I'll need to trace that and see if it will work with it or will I need to get rid of it.

 

[schpenxel]

Good luck on those Kufatec connectors... mine took 4 or 5 weeks to finally get here. It looks like they (slow ship) a bulk shipment over from either the UK or Germany every so often, then they have to ship it to you from wherever in the US

 

[djcwardog]

So you are the guy that got it for $290 on ebay . Good luck. I recently picked up 84109257164 which is the latest Gen3 combox with GPS connector (this was installed in cars that shipped with combox but without CIC, the GPS is used for BMW Assist. ... 'm not ready to install mine yet, still waiting on a few parts, one being those Kufatec connectors. I have a 2010 E61 with 6FL, so I have TCU and MULF-HI, I also believe I have the stupid USB hub somewhere under the seat, I'll need to trace that and see if it will work with it or will I need to get rid of it.

I was all set to just pay for a new one, but was not sure about software inside, etc... after my CIC fun, so I went with one that was known to work when pulled from a car. Better that and need a flash update, than what I faced with my refurb CIC. I will connect the two Assist antennae and then code it all out, crazy, I know...

So, do you think the combox telematics GPS will do everything that the media version does? Just ignore the gps antenna jack, etc...?

For your USB hub under a seat, I think you just ignore its existence (I think I read that on at least one thread...) and run a new cable between combox and the USB/Aux plug. You already have one of these, but be sure it is selectable, check the part #. This relates to switching the aux signal path based on what is plugged in and where, I think, and is important if you intend to try to get all the functionality of a 6NF cradle install - without the cradle, like I plan to do.

 

[schpenxel]

I was all set to just pay for a new one, but was not sure about software inside, etc... after my CIC fun, so I went with one that was known to work when pulled from a car. Better that and need a flash update, than what I faced with my refurb CIC. I will connect the two Assist antennae and then code it all out, crazy, I know...

So, do you think the combox telematics GPS will do everything that the media version does? Just ignore the gps antenna jack, etc...?

For your USB hub under a seat, I think you just ignore its existence (I think I read that on at least one thread...) and run a new cable between combox and the USB/Aux plug. You already have one of these, but be sure it is selectable, check the part #. This relates to switching the aux signal path based on what is plugged in and where, I think, and is important if you intend to try to get all the functionality of a 6NF cradle install - without the cradle, like I plan to do.

Got your harness ready to go finally--you should have it Tuesday

 

[vadimr]

I was all set to just pay for a new one, but was not sure about software inside, etc... after my CIC fun, so I went with one that was known to work when pulled from a car. Better that and need a flash update, than what I faced with my refurb CIC. I will connect the two Assist antennae and then code it all out, crazy, I know...

So, do you think the combox telematics GPS will do everything that the media version does? Just ignore the gps antenna jack, etc...?

For your USB hub under a seat, I think you just ignore its existence (I think I read that on at least one thread...) and run a new cable between combox and the USB/Aux plug. You already have one of these, but be sure it is selectable, check the part #. This relates to switching the aux signal path based on what is plugged in and where, I think, and is important if you intend to try to get all the functionality of a 6NF cradle install - without the cradle, like I plan to do.

Regarding combox, yea you just code out the telematics and GPS functionality and use the rest of it.

E60 never shipped with selectable plug, I realized that a little earlier, I'm not sure what to do about that. I'm not even sure how the AUX input works with that one. Do you know how the AUX in is wired in? I have 6FL there with USB and AUX and as far as I know the USB is wired into MULF-HI through the USB hub and the AUX in goes into the TCU. If I ran a new cable for USB, I assume I would still re-use the cable for AUX input and patch that into the combox. Regarding the hub, I read something different, that guy Patryk told someone to do:
"You need to find this hub and move the cable with the white connector to the BLUE port (you will need to trim the cable connector slightly)." Thus I think you can re-use existing wiring. The question is how and what modifications are really required. I think the switchable aux input is for the video. I'm still not really sure about these minor details, if you have an idea, share it I'm still about a month away from combox installation but a couple days away from CIC.

Regarding those Kufatec plugs, yea it will take forever, however I ordered 4 and will use 2 for my harness and either make another double one anyone that wants one or 2 single ones. We shall see.

-Vadim

 

[djcwardog]

6NF on the cheap - no cradle

Vadmir,

My goal is to do it like this. If you go this way, then the USB hub is irrelevant, so the schematic shows. On the other hand, if you seek to use the 6FL (only) with no desire to go beyond it to 6NF, then you probably do have to find the USB hub. Isn't it under driver's seat? If you run DIS you should be able to have it step you through how to replace that hub...(after you fib and answer all the damn questions in a row that each thing it said to do didn't work, ultimately leading DIS to take you there!)

These two views are from other posts and not my work - but they are my template! Find the 50pp magnum opus CIC/Combox thread for much more. Note the part number for TWO diferent USB sockts. One is a single (run a USB cable with black jack to black jack on combox) and just like the one you got for the CIC to do map updates. The other is the selectable USB/Aux and this will make it possible to have 6NF features without that space-hogging cradle. You run the USB cable from it to the BLUE jack on your combox. Hell, that's just $40 more so why not? I will post the second schematic view just below...

Upon further reflection: if the USB Hub is also what they call the "MULF", then you do need to find it so you can take it out of the MOST loop and unplug it. You have to remove both the TCU and MULF in order to run a combox. My car has just the TCU so apologies if I confused anyone.