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      07-22-2009, 08:08 PM   #1
calivarian
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Question Z4 Lear Amplifier Firmware Flash?

Is it possible to do (on our own) a flash of the Lear DSP Amplifier in the 2003 Z4 (with navigation)? Thanks to this community's awesome advice, I flashed (upgraded) the navigation software to the newest version. However, I need to *downgrade* the Lear amplifier's firmware. Here's why:

1. Amp drowned after rain water apparently leaked into the trunk. (Common Z4 problem).

2. Purchased a used identical Amp of the exact same hardware version, but NOT the exact same software version.

Ergo, I want to flash it with the right software version.

Anyone done this before? Anyone know where to get the firmware versions files? Is there a similar procedure to the navigation upgrade with burning a CD?

Many thanks!
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      07-23-2009, 09:28 AM   #2
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What part number is the amplifier you purchased?

For your model year car, the original part number was 65129125751 which changed to 65129138102. They should be interchangable with no issues with firmware. How do you know the firmware versions are different, and what issues are you experiencing. To my knowledge, besides the DSP vs Non-DSP specific components, pieces should be interchangable with no respect to firmware (i.e, it's not like a Porsche where everything has to be brought up to the same firmware level like A, B, C, etc)

Date Range ------------- Applicable Part Number
beginning-04/2007 ------- 65129125751
04/2007-current --------- 65129138102
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      07-23-2009, 09:35 AM   #3
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Actually, my original amp part number is:
65126936952 Again, "HW: 06, SW: 09"

My replacement amp is:
65126938189 Again, "HW: 06, SW: 10"


Do you know how I can flash this with the older software? Any device I can buy?

Here's what BMW gave me:

"01 TOP-HIFI SYSTEM AMPLIFIER 1 11/2002 65126930046 +core, ENDED
01 TOP-HIFI SYSTEM AMPLIFIER 1 03/2003 65126932417 ENDED
01 TOP-HIFI SYSTEM AMPLIFIER 1 05/2003 65126936087 ENDED
01 TOP-HIFI SYSTEM AMPLIFIER 1 08/2003 65126936952 ENDED
01 TOP-HIFI SYSTEM AMPLIFIER 1 03/2004 65126938189 ENDED
01 TOP-HIFI SYSTEM AMPLIFIER 1 03/2005 65126946727 ENDED
01 TOP-HIFI SYSTEM AMPLIFIER 1 01/2006 65126963304
01 TOP-HIFI SYSTEM AMPLIFIER 1 01/2006 04/2006 65126974231
01 TOP-HIFI SYSTEM AMPLIFIER 1 01/2006 04/2007 65129125751 ENDED"
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      07-23-2009, 09:37 AM   #4
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BMW and audio shops say they need to be on the same software and hardware.
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      07-23-2009, 09:38 AM   #5
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Issue is zero audio. Not a peep. Nothing from Nav, nothing from CD, nothing from radio.
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      07-23-2009, 09:57 AM   #6
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Interesting. I know the individual components can be updated in Porsches, but I've never heard of such a process on BMW besides the core MkIV firmware.

Out of curiosity, you might try modifying your MkIV firmware to bump the version up by .1 (so the unit thinks it's an update, otherwise it thinks it's the same thing and won't perform the update...check out X5world for info), and re-run the update with the new amplifier installed. My thinking here is that perhaps the update might look for other components besides just the nav unit to update. Just a guess though
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      07-23-2009, 10:00 AM   #7
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That's the navigational software and firmware. It's entirely separate from amplifier firmware. Anyone know how to flash the amplifier?
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      07-23-2009, 11:34 AM   #8
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You seem to have skipped straight to the most complex solution. People switch their amps on this and other boards seemingly regularly due to water damage and I've seen narry an indication of the problems you're having. Are you sure everything is plugged in? Have you used an ohm meter to verify you're getting power/signal in/out of the amplifier?
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      07-23-2009, 11:40 AM   #9
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I appreciate your optimism of BMW's design of interchangable parts, but the fact of the matter is those people who replace their amps seemlessly are lucky enough to have replaced it (most from the dealership at $1,200 an amp) with the same software version.

Not to say that it validates my solution, but there is a barrage of search results of people looking for fixes on how to re-flash their amps for BMWs.

ex: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...amplifier.html

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...ight=amplifier

Yes, everything is plugged in, if by "everything", you mean the one single plug that goes into the amp. Fuses are all fine.


-------

When a dealer or specialized BMW mechanic connects a car to BMW’s proprietary computer to configure any of the computer-driven components, the process is called “coding.” The DSP amp is one of the computer-driven, configurable parts in the car. The biggest thing that coding does for a DSP amp is to configure it for a navigation-equipped car or a non-nav car. In a navigation-equipped car, the nav computer is the thing that controls the DSP amp. In cars without nav, then the DSP amp is controlled by either a separate DSP controller (like in the E38) or by the MID (E39 and X5). If the amp’s coding is mismatched (nav coding in a non-nav car, or vise versa), the amp will not receive control communications that it expects, so it will shut down after about 30 seconds. This is totally normal, until you get the amp coded—it is typical for folks who have done a nav retrofit or installed a used amp that was coded for another type of car.

The other major thing that I believe coding does is setup internal crossover frequencies and internal equalization settings that match the car’s acoustical characteristics and speaker arrangements. Think about it—BMW uses the very same amp in the E38, E39, and X5, yet they have very different cabin arrangements, numbers of speakers, and speaker placements. So, I am about 99% sure that the coding also sets up the amp for the specific model in which it is installed. My key support comes from the fact that I bought an amp coded for an X5 and installed it in my car. It sounded absolutely horrible, yet it was a perfectly good amp and several years newer than the one I had. The midrange was overly bright and almost droning, and it had no bass at all. I could not lower midrange equalizer settings enough to solve it. I originally upgraded to an amp that came from an E39 M5 with navigation, and it initially sounded OK in my car. However, after I got it coded in my car, it significantly improved the sound quality. (The difference between the E38 and E39 is not as dramatic as the X5, but you can still hear it in the amp.)

So, my recommendation is that if you buy a used amp coded for a different type of car from yours, consider getting it coded, even it works OK.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/204027/
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      07-23-2009, 10:57 PM   #10
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You will probably have to have some type of ODB tool designed for BMWs like the AutoEnginuity tool that can connect to the AMP like the GT1 does. Unfortunately something like that costs like $200-400 which is more than likely 2x-4x times what it would cost just to have BMW use the GT1 and do it. Of course then again at least you would have the tool for future stuff.

I checked the tool Chuck I asked about a few weeks ago and it doesn't look like it is capable of coding the audio amp.
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      03-04-2011, 10:36 AM   #11
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I also had water leak into the trunk through a defective tail light lens in my 2003 BMW Z4 and "take out" my amp. It is apparantly a far more common occurance than BMW is prepared to admit to. The part number of the amp is E83/E85 65126932417. How can I ascertain the amp part numbers that are interchangeable for my car, and are there software issues that need to be dealt with, or will it generally be a plug-in and go situation?
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