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Procedure for Adopting Existing Variant Code

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Turn off all loads and always have a BMW battery charger connected during the coding process to maintain proper voltage (12.5V). 

  1. Connect the DIS/MoDiC to the vehicle's 20 pin diagnostic connector and turn the ignition switch ON. Select Coding and Programming from the DIS/MoDiC start screen or drop down menu.
  2. Select "4 Programming"  and press the right continue arrow.
    Fig 1: View Of Procedure For Adopting Existing Variant Code (1 Of 11)
    G03402939Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  3. From the Coding/Programming selection menu, highlight "2 DME variant Code"  and press the continue arrow.
    Fig 2: View Of Procedure For Adopting Existing Variant Code (2 Of 11)
    G03402940Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  4. Select "1 Exchange Control Module"  and press the continue button.
    Fig 3: View Of Procedure For Adopting Existing Variant Code (3 Of 11)
    G03402941Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  5. Select the installed engine group of the vehicle, e.g. M20, M30 etc.
    Fig 4: View Of Procedure For Adopting Existing Variant Code (4 Of 11)
    G03402942Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  6. Select "1 New Coding"  and continue.
    Fig 5: View Of Procedure For Adopting Existing Variant Code (5 Of 11)
    G03402943Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  7. Select "1 Adopt code from old control module". 
    Fig 6: View Of Procedure For Adopting Existing Variant Code (6 Of 11)
    G03402944Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  8. Press the "Yes" button to read out code from existing control module.
    Fig 7: View Of Procedure For Adopting Existing Variant Code (7 Of 11)
    G03402945Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  9. The installed variant code will be transferred to the DIS/MoDiC for display and storage.

    Do not disconnect the MoDiC from the vehicle diagnostic connector. The stored variant code will be deleted. 

    Fig 8: View Of Procedure For Adopting Existing Variant Code (8 Of 11)
    G03402946Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  10. Turn off the ignition switch and remove the old control module. After double checking the part number of the replacement control module, connect it to the vehicle harness. Turn the ignition switch back on and press the continue arrow.
  11. The DIS/MoDiC will display the code for transfer and indicate how many more times the control module can be encoded. Press the "Yes" button to transfer the code.
    Fig 9: View Of Procedure For Adopting Existing Variant Code (9 Of 11)
    G03402947Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  12. The last screen will indicate that the coding procedure is complete.
    NOTE: If the code FF01 is displayed the control module was not properly coded and coding procedure must be repeated (FF01 is a basic control module resident code).
    Fig 10: View Of Procedure For Adopting Existing Variant Code (10 Of 11)
    G03402948Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  13. Complete a new DME variant code label and place it on the control module.

    For vehicles equipped with DME M1.7.2 control modules after 1/95 production, the ISN of a replacement control module must be aligned with the EWS II control module.

    This procedure copies the ISN from the new DME control module and installs it into the EWS II control module. If this procedure is not carried out the engine will crank, but will not start.

    Fig 11: View Of Procedure For Adopting Existing Variant Code (11 Of 11)
    G03402949Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.