How to Reactivate BMW Assist module in Car

kkowalsk · 03-22-2010, 10:36 AM

Tried the SOS button. Nothing happened. Nothing.

Called dealer and they updated the BMW Assist records since I am the second owner. The service is now in my name.

Tried the button again. Nothing.

Dealer tell me that the service in the car is not active and need to be reactivated. For this it will cost $190.00.

Why is the thing not active? Is there any other way to activate it?

I know the dealer has updated the software during previous service visits. When they did the update did they deactivate the cars internal phone?

Seems like a load of crap to turn something on that was suppose to be on in the first place.

Thanks for the help.

JSpira · 03-22-2010, 10:53 AM

I would call BMW Assist directly and ask if they know why the system might not be active.

It doesn´t really make sense to pay almost $200 when it should be working - but the reactivation is not covered by warranty either so it´s a kind of catch 22.

It is also possible that the telematics module is just bad.

What did the dealership from whom you purchased the car say - if anything?

kkowalsk · 03-22-2010, 11:33 AM

Called BMW Assist

Apparently the previous owner declined the service so it was deactivated in the vehicle.

Why someone would order a car w/o premium package and with BMW Assist and then disable it, just plain confuses me. For what Bluetooth? They were scared of being "tracked" but have a mobile phone???

So to get it to work I have to get it activated. To get it activated I must pay. Oh well. Wish I could do it myself.

JSpira · 03-22-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkowalsk

Called BMW Assist

Apparently the previous owner declined the service so it was deactivated in the vehicle.

Why someone would order a car w/o premium package and with BMW Assist and then disable it, just plain confuses me. For what Bluetooth? They were scared of being "tracked" but have a mobile phone???

So to get it to work I have to get it activated. To get it activated I must pay. Oh well. Wish I could do it myself.

That´s unfortunate but at least we now know why.

Shieldze1025 · 03-22-2010, 12:05 PM

They should have told you this when you bought the car. When I declined the service (bought mine CPO), they made me sign a waiver saying I declined it. That way if I get in an accident and push the button and nothing happens, I can't sue BMW for it not working.

Did you buy yours from a dealer or private party?

madmanhiker · 03-22-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkowalsk

Tried the SOS button. Nothing happened. Nothing.

Called dealer and they updated the BMW Assist records since I am the second owner. The service is now in my name.

Tried the button again. Nothing.

Dealer tell me that the service in the car is not active and need to be reactivated. For this it will cost $190.00.

Why is the thing not active? Is there any other way to activate it?

I know the dealer has updated the software during previous service visits. When they did the update did they deactivate the cars internal phone?

Seems like a load of crap to turn something on that was suppose to be on in the first place.

Thanks for the help.

I have the same issue. Still nothing works.

kkowalsk · 03-22-2010, 12:22 PM

Purchased from a dealer. Unfortunately not local. Non CPO since it only had 11k on it.

I contacted a really good local repair shop that specializes in BMW and MB. They are checking if they can activate it or for less $$.

Castel · 03-22-2010, 12:26 PM

Had exactly the same issue. Dealer said that it wasn't active through BMW Assist. BMW Assist said my name was in the system fine but that it was an issue with the system. Back and forth until I went to the dealer and complaint until they fixed it. It seems both BMW assist and the dealer thought the other one was at fault. Anyways, the problem end up being the Telecommunications Module in the car. All they needed was to reset it and this was done under warranty. SOS now works.

03-22-2010, 10:36 AM	#1
kkowalsk Private 32 Rep 90 Posts Drives: E92 328i - Sport Manual Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Perrysburg, Ohio iTrader: (0)	How to Reactivate BMW Assist module in Car Tried the SOS button. Nothing happened. Nothing. Called dealer and they updated the BMW Assist records since I am the second owner. The service is now in my name. Tried the button again. Nothing. Dealer tell me that the service in the car is not active and need to be reactivated. For this it will cost $190.00. Why is the thing not active? Is there any other way to activate it? I know the dealer has updated the software during previous service visits. When they did the update did they deactivate the cars internal phone? Seems like a load of crap to turn something on that was suppose to be on in the first place. Thanks for the help.
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03-22-2010, 10:53 AM	#2
JSpira Freude am Fahren 336 Rep 5,254 Posts Drives: Fünfer, Dreier, + Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, München, Wien iTrader: (1)	I would call BMW Assist directly and ask if they know why the system might not be active. It doesn´t really make sense to pay almost $200 when it should be working - but the reactivation is not covered by warranty either so it´s a kind of catch 22. It is also possible that the telematics module is just bad. What did the dealership from whom you purchased the car say - if anything? __________________ Freude am Fahren. Jonathan E90 2006 330xi E90 2006 325i E39 2003 530i Sport* E46 2000 328Ci* E36 1996 328iS* E36 1992 325i* E30 1991 318is E21 1982 320iS* E21 1979 320 (6-Zyl)* *retired Nominated: Most Contributing Member
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03-22-2010, 11:33 AM	#3
kkowalsk Private 32 Rep 90 Posts Drives: E92 328i - Sport Manual Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Perrysburg, Ohio iTrader: (0)	Called BMW Assist Apparently the previous owner declined the service so it was deactivated in the vehicle. Why someone would order a car w/o premium package and with BMW Assist and then disable it, just plain confuses me. For what Bluetooth? They were scared of being "tracked" but have a mobile phone??? So to get it to work I have to get it activated. To get it activated I must pay. Oh well. Wish I could do it myself.
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03-22-2010, 12:05 PM	#5
Shieldze1025 Keepin' America Free 72 Rep 1,260 Posts Drives: F10 535i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Haleiwa, HI iTrader: (7)	They should have told you this when you bought the car. When I declined the service (bought mine CPO), they made me sign a waiver saying I declined it. That way if I get in an accident and push the button and nothing happens, I can't sue BMW for it not working. Did you buy yours from a dealer or private party? __________________ F10 535i \| Retired: E60 ///M5 \| E92 335i "If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough" -Mario Andretti
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03-22-2010, 12:22 PM	#7
kkowalsk Private 32 Rep 90 Posts Drives: E92 328i - Sport Manual Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Perrysburg, Ohio iTrader: (0)	Purchased from a dealer. Unfortunately not local. Non CPO since it only had 11k on it. I contacted a really good local repair shop that specializes in BMW and MB. They are checking if they can activate it or for less $$.
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03-22-2010, 12:26 PM	#8
Castel Captain 71 Rep 801 Posts Drives: Tanzanite Blue '13 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (6)	Had exactly the same issue. Dealer said that it wasn't active through BMW Assist. BMW Assist said my name was in the system fine but that it was an issue with the system. Back and forth until I went to the dealer and complaint until they fixed it. It seems both BMW assist and the dealer thought the other one was at fault. Anyways, the problem end up being the Telecommunications Module in the car. All they needed was to reset it and this was done under warranty. SOS now works.
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