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Hi James I have talked to a friend in BMW who tells me the Ambient Lighting package did not become available until 2018 for 3 series models so the probability is yours does not have it. It can be retrofitted and coded to your car, but I have no idea how much work that would entail Good Luck Dave

Hi Glenn I tend to use Quarry Motors they are very knowledgeable and helpful (also been around for years) try Googling BMW Breakers that may work If not put the part number into an Ebay Search see if that brings results Good Hunting Dave

Thanks for responding Dave. I have the part number and have started down the breakers route. Is the Register of BMW Dismantlers a thing? Could you point me in the right direction or send me a link please? I’ve Googled it but no obvious success.

It may be that the power is not connected correctly. Generally, on BMW vehicles, the power connection is located near the center control knob.

Hi Ian A good Auto Electrician would I suspect have Diagnostic software or search the Register of BMW Specialists there should be a few close to you and they will have all the Tech, I bet a few phone calls will get what you need Dave

Hi Glen The best option would be an Internet search for a replacement seat one of our sons has a friend who has a 1 series early this year he brought a Complete interior Black Leather seats front and rear + trim and Door cards for £250 delivered. I would start with Realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box it will bring up your model, then get the part number you need. Then contact the Register of BMW Dismantlers to see if they can help then Ebay With luck it will be a straight seat swap at worst you will have to strip the seat to get to the motor you need. Good Luck Dave

Hi Lew Does it by any chance have an electric front seat with memory function? Sorry - just noticed date! 😂

This is not just a re-calibration issue - I’ve tried that and it doesn’t work. A scan shows that there’s an issue with the Hall effect sensor in the motor that controls the forwards and backwards position on the driver’s seat. I assume that this is also why the memory function on the driver’s seat doesn’t work. The seat moves in all directions but the car just can’t identify where it is. The motor sits in a bar under the seat. I’d sort of hoped that I could pick up a replacement but my local BMW dealer parts department inform me that it’s not available on it’s own, I need a complete electric seat base at over £700 plus VAT 😩 Has anyone ever encountered this issue before? Any advice or suggestions please? Is there any sort of workaround or is it feasible for the motor to be repaired? All help gratefully received.

Hi Dave, Thanks for the response to my question. Will most auto electricians have access to that program to be able to code it out or is it a proper specialist job? Thanks Ian

Posted in 2 places answer in the main Forum

Morning Ian The SOS system connects through the Telematics to the BMW Servers, causes can be as you say Battery but can also be a Software issue or glitch a Hardware issue (SOS button or sensor faults) If it is important to you then a Diagnostic will tell more if not you need someone with access to Bimmerlink Carly or BMW ISTA/INPA who will be able to code it out Dave

Hi Dave, Many thanks for the advice, will make some enquiries regarding getting the diagnostics carried out to find the issue. Cheers David

Hi all, Is it advisable to get the SOS system failure coded out? Because it keeps coming on and off at totally random times. I've read about swapping the battery that's under the roof lining but apparently it'll just keep coming back. Any help or advice to clear this issue would be great Thanks

Hi., I am constantly getting SOS system failure on bmw 420d, I've seen that you can either repair the issue but it keeps coming back. Or you can get the system coded out. Does anyone think this is a good idea to just code it out and just get rid of the problem?

Morning David Welcome to the Forum Low profile tyres will always transmit more Vibration/Noise however, have the wheel bearings been checked? Has the rear axle and drive shafts been checked and last has the propshaft been checked ? Your description of a Drone/Rumble is what points me in that direction Dave

Morning Dave Welcome to the Forum The system in your car is made up from 3 main parts (1) the Display Screen (2) The Rotary control on the Centre Console (3) The CiC unit (behind the dash) these are linked normally through the FRM (Footwell Module) A Diagnostic scan will show where the issue is As the Display is working logic points towards the other two. You will need the help of someone who has a BMW capable Diagnostic package to (a) confirm which one (b) make sure any replacement is coded to the car and works correctly If the Rotary Controller is OK and the issue is with the CiC you have a few options (1) New CiC £££££££ (2) Source a replacement used CiC (make sure the part numbers are the same) also be aware that it may need coding to your car (3) Last option is change the screen for one of the Android/Carplay options that are available they do work well Good luck Dave

Hi Looking for some help, I have a BMW 116D 62 plate, (re chipped to 120D). We are having issues with the centre console, only displayed the BMW logo, no menu, radio options, mode changes, phone, unable to play CD's etc. we are not able to change anything. The radio also comes on but doesn't display then channels for a period of around 5 mins stuck on one station, then turns off for about 24 secs. I've tried a couple of things which I found on Google but have not resolved the issue. Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks Dave

I have owned my 2015 Convertible 220i for a few months and recently changed the front run flat tyres to Pirelli Powergy hoping that would reduce road/tyre noise. It made know difference. Have riden in a couple of similar models, it seems to be a characteristic of the model. I like the car in all other respects and so am considering adding sound proofing, particularly to the front wheel arches. (the noise- a drone/rumble) Dose anyone have experience of the effectiveness of additional sound proofing and if so which arears give the most rewarding results Many thanks DavidEM

The link above is to a forum which includes USA members, same issues over there. BMW have now apparently changed the design slightly, date on these is 2025 manufacture, check if it is replaced. I tried using the forum information but it was rejected as it is someone's personal opinion of a fault, not BMW's. Two headlights replaced is £3500+, the attached image was mine and BMW still had to prove the unit was faulty.

In case I can't resolve the cruise control error issue, in order to drive the car I will need to stop the permanently ON wipers. I can't find the fuse for the wipers. It's designated as fuse number 82 on the fuse map leaflet in the fusebox but the leaflet only seem to document fuses 18 - 70 and 100 - 166. Can someone tell me how to locate the wiper fuse.

Thanks again Dave for all good info you keep giving me very kind of you ,you sure know your stuff Ali .

Hi Ali Your car has an Auxiliary pump when the car is cold and the thermostat closed water circulates through the cylinder head (hottest first) the Aux pump pushes that water through the heater system to give a warm cabin. It can take 15/20 miles for the engine to reach full operating temp. I use BMW ISTA/INPA which gives me Dealer level access plus it comes with WIS (Workshop Information system) and Wiring Diagrams so for me the best, today there are several on the market that are BMW capable iCarsoft, Foxwell plus a few subscription apps like Carly. Many will read fault codes and reset them but will not have service functions that allow Regen start (forced regen) DPF condition etc Just make sure whatever you buy has the service functions Dave

Hi again Dave thank you very much for all the info you give me very appricciated i think i best buy a good scanner of some sort keep eye on things see if all glow plugs work & see how much soot is in the dpf my heaters work quickly but needle on dash takes ages to show normal temp but am guessing that could be the sensor what scanner do you recomend ? For this thanks again Dave

Thanks for the prompt response Dave. Battery voltage was 12.3V. I've put it on charge and will check things later when the voltage comes up to a better level. Mike