[Randy Johnson]

So the sos warning light popped up on my instrument cluster. Not sure why it turned on and how to clear it. I have bm3 and bimmercode. Can I use one of these to reset it?

Car 435i

[dmaxdmax]

It is likely just that your Telematics Control Unit needs a new battery/accumulator.

Not sure where your tcu is, but in mine it was in the headliner, beneath sharkfin. Yours may be under your trunk floor.

See realoem for the pn of the battery you need.

Easy enough diy even if in the headliner. Battery was $50 or so for me.

[japanwings]

you can reset it with bimmerlink, not bimmercode.
I had the same problem in my 2018 F36
error came back after few days so i replaced the battery, problem fixed.
its under the sharkfin, takes some work to lower the headliner to access the unit.

[Randy Johnson]

Thanks guys. I'll be replacing this shortly.

One more thing. Where is the cheapest place to find this?

I'm seeing it for $80 at most oem bmw stores.

[dmaxdmax]

...a year ago mine was $60...found it someplace I'd never used before--the batteries weren't on any of the major parts sites then that I could find.

I wrote my version of a diy on this here, though I believe I'd linked to TIS which is currently gone...not sure the pics will help, but they won't hurt!

Also, one plastic clip under the third brake light cover is at a slight angle to the others...slide a flat prybar in to pop the clips out and I think you'll be okay. I removed both c-pillar covers, though I think someone got to the battery 'only' by removing the brake light cover. I did have to pry mine down to get to the tcu anyway, so that might work.

[Randy Johnson]

I guess on the F36 the battery is in a different location.

[MmmmmM2]

Definitely the battery. Had mine replaced under warranty when I had my F30.

[Randy Johnson]

Well I replaced the battery shown in the last pic I posted above and it did no solve my issue. I really don't care about the sos warning light on the dash but this disables my phone to connect to bluetooth. I can't make/take calls. Do I need to disconnect the car battery after replacing this telematics battery?

[dmaxdmax]

Originally Posted by Randy Johnson

Well I replaced the battery shown in the last pic I posted above and it did no solve my issue. I really don't care about the sos warning light on the dash but this disables my phone to connect to bluetooth. I can't make/take calls. Do I need to disconnect the car battery after replacing this telematics battery?

Did you clear the codes? I had two I had to clear as I recall...that might help.

...and if you haven't already, you might need to drive a bit to top off the battery you replaced...not sure they're stored or sold at full power.

[Randy Johnson]

Originally Posted by dmaxdmax

Did you clear the codes? I had two I had to clear as I recall...that might help.

...and if you haven't already, you might need to drive a bit to top off the battery you replaced...not sure they're stored or sold at full power.

The car is not showing any codes with bootmod3. I checked the battery with a multimeter before installing and it was over 4.8 volts. Don't remember exactly but maybe 5.1 or so. The old battery was reading 4.6 volts. Been driving with the new battery for a few days now. Still got the warning. I'll scan for codes again.

[dmaxdmax]

Originally Posted by dmaxdmax

Did you clear the codes? I had two I had to clear as I recall...that might help.

...and if you haven't already, you might need to drive a bit to top off the battery you replaced...not sure they're stored or sold at full power.

OP, I believe I'd read somewhere that BM3 might hide codes from you and that guys had to reflash to stock to see them...to clear them.

I don't have a tune so sort of tune out when I read 'tuned' posts, but maybe I remembered right and your codes are hiding and it's as simple as that. If not, check fuses (if you can figure out the graphics!).

[Randy Johnson]

Originally Posted by dmaxdmax

OP, I believe I'd read somewhere that BM3 might hide codes from you and that guys had to reflash to stock to see them...to clear them.

I don't have a tune so sort of tune out when I read 'tuned' posts, but maybe I remembered right and your codes are hiding and it's as simple as that. If not, check fuses (if you can figure out the graphics!).

Yes you did read that somewhere. I actually had that issue with a bad coil. Bm3 was giving me incorrect codes. I think I am going to have to flash to stock to see if I can clear this up.

[Randy Johnson]

Ok so retuning back to stock with bm3 and clearing codes did not work. I guess I'll be stuck with this damn warning light forever. I refuse to go to the dealer. Time to buy a new car!!!

[dmaxdmax]

You found both codes? If I recall correctly, it did take a little time after clearing codes for the light to go off. The battery needs time to charge up, which it probably only does when driving.

Maybe wash it and rub it behind the mirrors--that almost always works for mine.

[Silencer215]

it's strange how same F36 with same 2018 model can have the telematic in the different place... I checked my trunk and mine was empty... so I removed the headliner and there it was!

I replaced the battery and cleared the code, and BAM! all good now

[AMG KLR]

Originally Posted by Silencer215

it's strange how same F36 with same 2018 model can have the telematic in the different place... I checked my trunk and mine was empty... so I removed the headliner and there it was!

I replaced the battery and cleared the code, and BAM! all good now

Yup. mine was in headliner as well (unfortunately). I hate these installs where we need to remove clips. 9 times out of 10 the trim pieces never go back to how they were

[bkdore]

My car started flashing SOS Malfunction for a second or so and then quitting. It did it intermittently about 6 or 7 times one day, and not since. It's the 3G model that's been discontinued. Mine is on the floor in the hatch of my F36 in the same place as Randy shows in his photos. Can this module just be removed/coded out or does it have other functionality? I hit the SOS button just to see the other day and it tries to dial, but just locks everything for about 5 minutes until the call times out.

[Bob Loblah]

Does anyone know if cold weather can trigger the battery to go bad (voltage too low)?

I have been seeing the SOS warning coming up after parking the car outside for hours around 0-5 celsius.

and once I get back to the garage, parked overnight, and no warning when startup in the morning.

My car is still under warranty, so I guess best is to call the dealership?

Much appreciated.

[sensible]

Originally Posted by Bob Loblah

Does anyone know if cold weather can trigger the battery to go bad (voltage too low)?

I have been seeing the SOS warning coming up after parking the car outside for hours around 0-5 celsius.

and once I get back to the garage, parked overnight, and no warning when startup in the morning.

My car is still under warranty, so I guess best is to call the dealership?

Much appreciated.

Yes, as with any battery they will fail in cold weather, but the weather just highlights a battery that was on the way out.

[Bob Loblah]

Originally Posted by sensible

Yes, as with any battery they will fail in cold weather, but the weather just highlights a battery that was on the way out.

Thanks for tips! I had it replaced under warranty. Good as new!