Cic

I never got to hooking up my emulator as I remembered your DIY and how it was better to connect direct at first and expect to see navigation grayed out. Since my CIC would not "light up" at all, I never got to "seeing gray."

Yes, I have a few of those FAKRA sat antennas in my parts bin, easy enough to hide one up front if it came to that. I think that a CIC will take coding to see the Sirius tuner as they only started incorporating Sirius into the later CIC's. Easy to tell by the extra Antenna connection on the back. This one didn't have an extra antenna. As for the IBOC, the experts say "No" - must be using the internal HD tuner only - but these forums show that smart folks can find a way to do most anything! I expect that I WILL have to run an antenna lead up to the CIC - any idea what part to use? I'll look on RealOEM as well, but they list all kinds of stuff under "Antenna and Radio"...

Attached - two photos of the left rear in the trunk: IBOC, Sirius and Logic 7 amp are there. Guess where the TCU is? Not in trunk, behind the upper part of back seat - have to pull rear seat out to get to that....

 

I never got to hooking up my emulator as I remembered your DIY and how it was better to connect direct at first and expect to see navigation grayed out. Since my CIC would not "light up" at all, I never got to "seeing gray."

Yes, I have a few of those FAKRA sat antennas in my parts bin, easy enough to hide one up front if it came to that. I think that a CIC will take coding to see the Sirius tuner as they only started incorporating Sirius into the later CIC's. Easy to tell by the extra Antenna connection on the back. This one didn't have an extra antenna. As for the IBOC, the experts say "No" - must be using the internal HD tuner only - but these forums show that smart folks can find a way to do most anything! I expect that I WILL have to run an antenna lead up to the CIC - any idea what part to use? I'll look on RealOEM as well, but they list all kinds of stuff under "Antenna and Radio"...

Attached - two photos of the left rear in the trunk: IBOC, Sirius and Logic 7 amp are there. Guess where the TCU is? Not in trunk, behind the upper part of back seat - have to pull rear seat out to get to that....

Gotcha--yeah, sounds like a bad unit to me. You should be able to just plug it in and it at least come on.

Speaking of IBOC/Sirius, I managed to screw up and buy an IBOC receiver thinking it was Sirius receiver.. so that was great, lol

Very odd on the TCU--I guess that's different on the 6 series. For 5 series they are right there on the LH side, close to the seat, but still in the trunk and pretty easy to get to

On the cable--google Fakra extension cable and that should get you something to use to get the signal up to the dash. You'll probably have to shave a little bit off the connectors to make them work (they have little slots/ribs in them that are supposed to stop you from hooking a wire up wrong, but in reality they're just annoying because generic cables don't have the right combination most times..but besides that they'll work fine)

 

Bad CIC

Gotcha--yeah, sounds like a bad unit to me. You should be able to just plug it in and it at least come on.

That's what I thought - especially with photos on the listing of it in operation. Could not have been a coding issue as, per this DIY, I installed the CIC BEFORE any coding was done - even before using an emulator. I agree, should have powered up and showed me a screen of HD - even if nav was gray and nothing but static on the radio (no antenna lead up there yet).

How's your combox job coming along? For that fun, I have garnered more info about creating an SSD based on merging the contents of an E70 SSD and an E60 SSD, line by line, and using NCS to write in the E60-specific details. Wow - now that is way beyond, "plug it in" see it work, then FA_Write to change VO, default code CIC and TCU - and done..."

 

That's what I thought - especially with photos on the listing of it in operation. Could not have been a coding issue as, per this DIY, I installed the CIC BEFORE any coding was done - even before using an emulator. I agree, should have powered up and showed me a screen of HD - even if nav was gray and nothing but static on the radio (no antenna lead up there yet).

How's your combox job coming along? For that fun, I have garnered more info about creating an SSD based on merging the contents of an E70 SSD and an E60 SSD, line by line, and using NCS to write in the E60-specific details. Wow - now that is way beyond, "plug it in" see it work, then FA_Write to change VO, default code CIC and TCU - and done..."

Also, curious--will the CIC unit accept/eject a CD or DVD?

 

lol, gotcha. Yeah mine didn't do that.. although I had a CCC do that one time and I just sent it back

 

Alright guys--what the heck is the secret for getting rid of this damn'd SOS malfunction error every time I start the car? It's driving me nuts.

 

Most?

Obvious stuff, but I get this when I switch my Dension to standby. Is your MOST loop secure? You don't have a combox yet, so not a coding issue...unless you tried to code out bluetooth or otherwise take your TCU out of the mix.

You should be able to sell that IBOC HD radio tuner seeing as it would be easy to code it into CCC (not CIC) cars by adding the option into the VO...

I got my small iDrive plugs today and it is indeed the small one we both thought looked closest. Of course, moving pins into the existing plug out of the menu button removes the need for a new plug, but it was just a couple bucks... Some more info from another thread I found, includes a photo: " I saw in a thread somewhere that I need to transfer wires 1,2,4,5 from the 8 pin connector to 1,2,3,4 on the 4 pin connector (see attached pic)." When I do this I will like the extra buttons, however I will miss the feel of the present feedback controller.

 

Obvious stuff, but I get this when I switch my Dension to standby. Is your MOST loop secure? You don't have a combox yet, so not a coding issue...unless you tried to code out bluetooth or otherwise take your TCU out of the mix.

You should be able to sell that IBOC HD radio tuner seeing as it would be easy to code it into CCC (not CIC) cars by adding the option into the VO...

I got my small iDrive plugs today and it is indeed the small one we both thought looked closest. Of course, moving pins into the existing plug out of the menu button removes the need for a new plug, but it was just a couple bucks... Some more info from another thread I found, includes a photo: " I saw in a thread somewhere that I need to transfer wires 1,2,4,5 from the 8 pin connector to 1,2,3,4 on the 4 pin connector (see attached pic)." When I do this I will like the extra buttons, however I will miss the feel of the present feedback controller.

Yeah, MOST loop is fine. It's a coding issue

I have found a few more things to try. Mainly adding +TELD and resetting a few modules to defaults with that in the VO

Hopefully I can make a little money on this HD iboc tuner as I got a great price by low balling someone on ebay, lol. I found a sirius tuner for $140 last night I may go ahead and buy

 

Screw it, went ahead and bought the sirius tuner

 

Hey guys, just a quick question, I just did a retro myself, but ran into a small problem. My Climate Control doesnt work. Think it shorted out?! Anyone know where the fuse is, since I think I checked all of them with a tester, and they all showed continuity! Is there a relay? Please help... Im lost without AC in Vegas.....

 

By not work, do you mean it does absolutely nothing or what? No lights, nothing?

What coding was done after the retrofit?

 

Meaning theres NO power going to climate control.
There was pre coding done to the parts.
FYI, this retrofit kit told me to cut the wire #21 from the blue pin connector and solder the leads to the power connector to get 12v and ground. So yeah, theres no power going to it. I tested the power feed leads and nothing. :dunno:

 

Yeah I'd undo that, and check all fuses first. Glovebox and trunk

 

What it really takes for a CIC retrofit.. (DIY, Complete! Coding files included

Im done people combox is coded, 6nr bmw app, bmw live, weather, internet etc... Heres some pics

The only thing left is to code preset number 7 and 8 to act as preset instead of am/fm and mode like it is on the US cic. If anyone knows how to do that please share.

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For the six to eight button thing, search the CIC FSW file for "six". It's something like six_buttons_usa or something like that. Change it to "eight_buttons" and write to CIC.

Sweeeeet on the combox!!

Mind posting your cic and combox files?

Also, I still haven't managed to learn all the details on the different options for combox. Are you using the phone dock thing or USB port or what? I need to pick your brain in the details for wiring all that. I'm not sure how to get all that hooked up yet.

Any pics of the install for us?

 

What it really takes for a CIC retrofit.. (DIY, Complete! Coding files included

For the six to eight button thing, search the CIC FSW file for "six". It's something like six_buttons_usa or something like that. Change it to "eight_buttons" and write to CIC.

Sweeeeet on the combox!!

Mind posting your cic and combox files?

Also, I still haven't managed to learn all the details on the different options for combox. Are you using the phone dock thing or USB port or what? I need to pick your brain in the details for wiring all that. I'm not sure how to get all that hooked up yet.

Any pics of the install for us?

1.Thanks for the 8 button I'm going to try it now...

2.I'm using usb cable

3. I will post pictures about the combox install soon, before the end of the week. in the meantime, if you need immediate help let me know. The combox is straight forward to install it but I couldn't code it my self To enable 6nr, 6fl and all those crazy things. But i have everything documented to share.

4. I will send the files to you via email or something like that then you can post them your self I don't want to create and account to host them.

These are just some randoms shots.

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FBM_SELECTION
eight_buttons

Is mine

 

What it really takes for a CIC retrofit.. (DIY, Complete! Coding files included

Before the cic retrofit using ccc the rectangular shape like button was programable for different thing like turn screen off, entertainment MODE, and some other thing. Now with cic this option is gone can I get that back? Or can i program it to do MODE ONLY since im deleted the mode button on the cic face plate.

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I haven't found any options to change what it does. On mine it acts as some weird version of a mode button, kind of. It just switches between radio and whatever I used last in the cd/media menu

But no, no way to change it as far as I have been able to find

 

Also, do you have my email? If not I will PM it to you to get a copy of those files

I may need some help on some wiring at some point. I usually don't get a lot of the details until I'm actually doing it and everything is in front of me. So we will see how it goes

I'm kicking myself for not buying the telematics combox for $230 a few weeks back. Haven't been able to match that deal since

 

What it really takes for a CIC retrofit.. (DIY, Complete! Coding files included



I dont have your email, PM.

You missed out you should of bought that combox

Sent from BimmerApp mobile app

 

Last post for tonight

Did you have mulf and TCU originally? I assume that's the purpose of the fiber loop plug thingie

What phone are you using?

 

What it really takes for a CIC retrofit.. (DIY, Complete! Coding files included



Yes i had mulf and tcu originally . Iphone 5 os 6.1.2 jailbroken

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Update: my sirius receiver showed up today. Tonight I plugged it in where the CD changer is now. I had already programmed the CIC for sirius retrofit so it was just a swap.

The coding had previously made the satellite radio option show up under the radio menu, but it didn't have any channels or anything in there when you selected it..

After disconnecting the CD changer and connecting the Sirius receiver, channels showed right up.. and it immediately told me to activate service, lol (of course..). No sound though, as I don't have an antenna yet.

This model has a dual antenna input--does anyone know if I can just use two antenna or if I have to get an actual splitter? I can find two antennas cheaper than I can find a splitter it seems

---------------

On the IBOC receiver: I sold it on eBay today. I am going to try to get a chance to install it real quick tomorrow before I ship it and do the programming just to see if there is ANY reasonable way to get it to work with CIC systems that didn't come with HD radio. Will report back

 

Satellite and Terrestrial

These tuners get a satellite signal on one channel and terrestrial (yes, ground transmitters, maybe in the FM band...?) on the other - typically placed in an array around the major markets. I think the splitter may let a single antenna bring in both as the signals are different enough. You may want to try hooking up one of the FAKRA gps antennas to one input, then try it on the other to see which gets you a signal. I think the splitters are fairly cheap though... Plus your shark fin probably does not have the sat antenna in it (they show various shark fins in RealOEM) unless your car came with sat radio prep... So the FAKRA antenna may be what you need - but on the trunk lid. Sat radio is more demanding on antenna placement than GPS nav - at least from my experiences with aftermarket stereo installs. By the way, no shark fin on the 6's, they put the antenna arrays in the trunk/deck lid...

 

Yeah, mine didn't come with sat prep unfortunately so I'll have to use an external antenna. I'll hopefully be able to find somewhere to hide it that still gets a decent signal--I know in my corvette days we put them in the rear bumper and that worked great and had a nice shelf pointing towards the sky.

Anyways. I was hoping you'd say that--I'll order an antenna tomorrow and try both ports to see if either works without a splitter. I don't see why it wouldn't, but who knows. The same splitters can be used to split one antenna into a signal for two separate devices, so apparently they're sending the full signal to both if that works.

Any suggestions on a splitter? The only ones I've found are about $25.

edit: Also found this antenna that already has two outputs and is about the same price as the splitters I've found: http://www.amazon.com/Radio-Dual-Le...QJ8G6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3QYJ0KTT6UR6E&coliid=I2TDXBI6IAC5LK

Thoughts?

---

Next I have to decide whether to pull the CD changer and just velcro the sirius tuner in it's place, or deal with buying the wires/connector/fiber optic cables to add it. I haven't used the changer since putting in the CIC system, so I am thinking I'll just pull it out and never miss it

 

RealOEM shows a splitter in use with the IBOC (HD Radio) tuner but not the sat radio tuner. Maybe the splitter sends the terrestrial signal (FM?) over to the SDARS (sat) tuner? We would need to see a schematic for the unit that BMW uses and the cabling layout in the car to figure it out beyond trying one lead, then the other, or even hooking up an FM antenna to the other lead...?

EDIT - just saw your edits. That Amazon XM antenna indeed has the sat and terr leads. Later designs got both with a single lead. With that one, the instructions ought to tell you which is which... try the known sat lead on each of the BMW inputs, and when you get a signal, connect up the other...

If you spring for BMW's trunk mounting bracket you can tap into the MOST ring there and have your antenna closer to where you need it, without sending wires up to the glovebox area for it... Plus you get an OEM look... Ditch the CDC if you want - I put in a Dension and like it - BT and iPod music. Of course a combox with 6FL would render the need for a Dension moot. Maybe you can fit a DVD changer in the glovebox?

 

I don't have an empty fiber plug in the trunk, so I would have to add one to the loop. Doable, I'm just being cheap after spending way too much lately on this thing! I figured pulling the CDC and putting this in its place via some Velcro to hold it in place would be the easy way out. Would have to figure out a place to put an antenna though

I think I'll probably go ahead and just get that dual lead antenna to make it easy

I'm still reading on the whole satellite vs terrestrial signal thing. The iboc splitter actually takes two signals and combines them to one connector. Ironic enough, I have two antenna wires near where the IBOC goes in the trunk, lol. But no extra fiber links and no sirius antenna. I'll look again to be sure

Anyways

Edit: actually I found some cheap pre-terminated BMW fiber cables that will work out of china for like $4/ft I might use to go ahead and put everything in the trunk how it should be. The rest of the connectors are cheap enough and I have some of the pins already.

 

I'm still reading on the whole satellite vs terrestrial signal thing. The iboc splitter actually takes two signals and combines them to one connector. Ironic enough, I have two antenna wires near where the IBOC goes in the trunk, lol. But no extra fiber links and no sirius antenna. I'll look again to be sure Edit: actually I found some cheap pre-terminated BMW fiber cables that will work out of china for like $4/ft I might use to go ahead and put everything in the trunk how it should be. The rest of the connectors are cheap enough and I have some of the pins already.

Right - these cars have a diversity antenna system so even if you get multi-path distortion in the signal on one, the other is not affected as the amplitude of FM signal waves in the listening spectrum are shorter than our cars. I like the idea of the Chinese cables to do the trunk install.

 

Ordered that dual output antenna today

 

Folks,

Great thread, I've read it from start to finish and I seriously appreciate all the detailed pics and stuff.

Maybe you can help me out, I'm interested in retrofitting CIC into 2010 E61, as you know in 2010 the car was offered with CIC from the factory, however this one does not have the navigation so it has the small 6.6 screen. The unit in the dash resembles CIC, it looks identical to CIC as far as the buttons go and stuff, 6 presets and mode and am/fm. The climate control is the newer type and so is the iDrive controller. The car came standard with BMW Assist thus it has the GPS antenna as well. This is where I'm wondering what can be done to activate the navigation on it. I realize I need the 8.8 hi-res screen but what about the CIC controller? Is this a stripped down version of the same controller or is it just missing the FSC activation for navigation? If so, it probably cannot be activated with the emulator since it never was activated to begin with? Or perhaps it can be activated with emulator for navigation only but not voice? Would it just require adding the code to VO for navigation and it will show up in the menu? I've been googling for days and nobody really tried to retrofit CIC into 2010 model year since it was offered in that year.

Thanks!

 

Folks,

Great thread, I've read it from start to finish and I seriously appreciate all the detailed pics and stuff.

Maybe you can help me out, I'm interested in retrofitting CIC into 2010 E61, as you know in 2010 the car was offered with CIC from the factory, however this one does not have the navigation so it has the small 6.6 screen. The unit in the dash resembles CIC, it looks identical to CIC as far as the buttons go and stuff, 6 presets and mode and am/fm. The climate control is the newer type and so is the iDrive controller. The car came standard with BMW Assist thus it has the GPS antenna as well. This is where I'm wondering what can be done to activate the navigation on it. I realize I need the 8.8 hi-res screen but what about the CIC controller? Is this a stripped down version of the same controller or is it just missing the FSC activation for navigation? If so, it probably cannot be activated with the emulator since it never was activated to begin with? Or perhaps it can be activated with emulator for navigation only but not voice? Would it just require adding the code to VO for navigation and it will show up in the menu? I've been googling for days and nobody really tried to retrofit CIC into 2010 model year since it was offered in that year.

Thanks!

I will try to do some research on the differences for that model year--I thought hardwise they are the same but I'll try to find out. Can you PM me the last 7 digits of your VIN# ? That would help. Do you have the same menu setup as the CIC uses, or is it more like the old MASK/CCC?

As far as FSC codes go--yeah, if it's not activated already, adding an emulator isn't going to help. The emulator basically tells the CIC that it's in the car it was originally licensed for, enabling the license to work. If there's no nav license to begin with, I don't see how it would work

I do wonder if there's a way to transfer a valid FSC code from a CIC w/nav (from another VIN) to yours, then you could add the emulator to make it work.

A lot of maybe's.. let me do some reading though.

 

Look what I found, anyone else noticed the hd option on their cic?

 

?