[BMW 440i] Bootmod3 Flash

alexander7599 · 08-13-2021, 02:05 AM

Once again, I find myself in tuner's dread. Earlier today I picked up my 2018 440i coupe from the BMW dealership after getting some work done to restore my media functionality (bluetooth and usb).

Backstory:

Their solution was to order and install an entirely new head unit high 1 and head unit high 2 as well as a core charge. They proceeded to program my vehicle to the latest I-LEVEL software. After all that, they claimed USB and bluetooth media functionality was restored, which it was.

Problem:

When I got home, I connected to BM3 to begin flashing to my Stage 1 ACN91 map like normal. 1%, 2%, 3% and stop. The BM3 console then went on to redisplay my DME Software Ids and then started clearing all codes which was followed by the website saying flash had failed, cycle ignition and try turning off antivirus... etc. The only problem was, when I went to cycle my ignition, it would not cycle like it regularly does and I go to find the car wont even crank and start.

The RPM gauge just goes up to 'ready' and 'off' and I hear a constant click, click, click, click, click coming from the DME that goes on for about 3 minutes even after the car is off. The brakes also locked and I can barely press them down. After some stressful research and frantically contacting friends that may be able to help out, I come to a conclusion: Due to the new software that BMW programmed when it was getting service, the DME was locked (or bricked? please clarify your thought).

If the above is true, my options as I know them are: Take it to the dealer to have it reprogrammed and unlocked and pay out of pocket however much it is. OR. Send the DME to be bench unlocked (if that would even work).

Please my fellow enthusiasts, if there is anything that can be done through BM3 or any other reprogramming software, please share your ideas with me. At the very least I know that the car is going to be okay in the end if the DME is the problem.

Thank you!

G.Newt · 08-13-2021, 03:53 AM

Have you tried unplugging the battery for 10 minutes then restarting? And I believe your DME has new locked software that will probably require a bench unlock.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...66&postcount=5

AMG KLR · 08-13-2021, 05:56 AM

You are correct, your car will be ok.

Open a BM3 ticket and send them the software IDs. Maybe they can help you out. Otherwise worst case is get it bench unlocked and have the car unavailable for about a week given the shipping time

kern417 · 08-13-2021, 09:00 AM

try flashing back to stock

alexander7599 · 08-13-2021, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kern417

try flashing back to stock

I have tried every single option that BM3 gives me to flash back to stock. I am back and forth with Bootmod3 Support and I am not sure exactly what they can do for me with the Software Ids I provided to them.

Here are some photos of my BM3 console.

john_f30 · 08-13-2021, 10:58 AM

Contact PTF.. they can flash you back to stock and get you running again. But now your DME requires a bench unlock to be able to flash again. Exact same thing happened to me when they replaced the eccentric shaft for warranty and flashed the latest i-level.

alexander7599 · 08-13-2021, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_f30

Contact PTF.. they can flash you back to stock and get you running again. But now your DME requires a bench unlock to be able to flash again. Exact same thing happened to me when they replaced the eccentric shaft for warranty and flashed the latest i-level.

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_f30

Contact PTF.. they can flash you back to stock and get you running again. But now your DME requires a bench unlock to be able to flash again. Exact same thing happened to me when they replaced the eccentric shaft for warranty and flashed the latest i-level.

I have been emailing them all last night and this morning, they connected to my laptop and attempted to get my engine running and flashed back to stock, to no success.

However, I was using an 8amp battery charger, the PTF tech said I need at least 25amps so I just purchased a 50amp charger and I am letting that sit for 3-4 hours and try to flash it back to stock per the tech's instructions.

Wish me luck my friends!

john_f30 · 08-13-2021, 11:22 AM

Wish you luck! Btw, keep in mind that their support hours is M-F 9am-5pm EST and closed on weekends. Don't let it sit for too long.

4bhishek · 12-30-2021, 07:50 PM

Hey guys, i have run into this same problem exact same thing my 2017 440i went to the dealer and they updated it to the latest i levels software and i tried to flash back to stage 2 on bm3 and the car wouldnt start, reset the ecu through the dealer it works fine now, i want to retune it to Stage 2 my question is were you able to bench unlock your ecu?

Thanks

biomed27 · 12-31-2021, 06:10 PM

You have to reflash DME module with esys after flashing bootmod3

4bhishek · 01-20-2022, 11:59 PM

Ok so an update. I had my dme bench unlocked, however the car still cannot be tuned. I reached out to PTF and even though my dme is bench unlocked now my software ID's are locked therefore it can't be tuned. They told me they are working on a fix for it and I just have to wait

Yam_440i · 01-21-2022, 05:18 AM

Jesus. This is literally a horror story of a simple tuning going wrong. I'm glad you got your car to start again, hopefully you'll be able to flash a map very soon

lixiang7349 · 01-22-2022, 01:40 PM

The exact same thing happened to me and I switched to MHD.

MTWO · 01-22-2022, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lixiang7349

The exact same thing happened to me and I switched to MHD.

And that’s a joke, or a cool story, because someone’s locked DME has exactly zero to do with a flash tool so you switched for no reason at all 😂

08-13-2021, 02:05 AM	#1
alexander7599 Alexander Hartunian 58 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 440i Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Napa, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 440i [0.00]	[BMW 440i] Bootmod3 Flash - Car Won't Start Once again, I find myself in tuner's dread. Earlier today I picked up my 2018 440i coupe from the BMW dealership after getting some work done to restore my media functionality (bluetooth and usb). Backstory: Their solution was to order and install an entirely new head unit high 1 and head unit high 2 as well as a core charge. They proceeded to program my vehicle to the latest I-LEVEL software. After all that, they claimed USB and bluetooth media functionality was restored, which it was. Problem: When I got home, I connected to BM3 to begin flashing to my Stage 1 ACN91 map like normal. 1%, 2%, 3% and stop. The BM3 console then went on to redisplay my DME Software Ids and then started clearing all codes which was followed by the website saying flash had failed, cycle ignition and try turning off antivirus... etc. The only problem was, when I went to cycle my ignition, it would not cycle like it regularly does and I go to find the car wont even crank and start. The RPM gauge just goes up to 'ready' and 'off' and I hear a constant click, click, click, click, click coming from the DME that goes on for about 3 minutes even after the car is off. The brakes also locked and I can barely press them down. After some stressful research and frantically contacting friends that may be able to help out, I come to a conclusion: Due to the new software that BMW programmed when it was getting service, the DME was locked (or bricked? please clarify your thought). If the above is true, my options as I know them are: Take it to the dealer to have it reprogrammed and unlocked and pay out of pocket however much it is. OR. Send the DME to be bench unlocked (if that would even work). Please my fellow enthusiasts, if there is anything that can be done through BM3 or any other reprogramming software, please share your ideas with me. At the very least I know that the car is going to be okay in the end if the DME is the problem. Thank you! __________________ 2018 F32 440i - Black Sapphire Metallic - KW Suspensions V1 \| VRP Intake \| VRSF Catless Downpipe \| Dorch Stage 2 HPFP \| MHD OTS Stage 2 E40
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08-13-2021, 03:53 AM	#2
G.Newt Major 810 Rep 1,454 Posts Drives: CT4-V Blackwing 6MT Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: CO -> TX iTrader: (0)	Have you tried unplugging the battery for 10 minutes then restarting? And I believe your DME has new locked software that will probably require a bench unlock. https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...66&postcount=5 __________________ 2022 CT4-V Blackwing 6-speed SOLD: 2016 340i xDrive 6-speed DAW v2.5 turbo E40 \| Dorch S2 \| VRSF DP \| MST intake \| AWE catback \| 335is clutch \| CSF heat exchanger \| RK Autowerks intake manifold \| Orange M Perf Brake Kit \| KW Street Comfort coilovers \| GTS taillights V2 Last edited by G.Newt; 08-13-2021 at 04:46 AM..
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08-13-2021, 05:56 AM	#3
AMG KLR Captain 163 Rep 732 Posts Drives: 2018 440i GC Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	You are correct, your car will be ok. Open a BM3 ticket and send them the software IDs. Maybe they can help you out. Otherwise worst case is get it bench unlocked and have the car unavailable for about a week given the shipping time
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08-13-2021, 10:58 AM	#6
john_f30 Private 17 Rep 62 Posts Drives: 2016 340i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	Contact PTF.. they can flash you back to stock and get you running again. But now your DME requires a bench unlock to be able to flash again. Exact same thing happened to me when they replaced the eccentric shaft for warranty and flashed the latest i-level.
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08-13-2021, 11:22 AM	#8
john_f30 Private 17 Rep 62 Posts Drives: 2016 340i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	Wish you luck! Btw, keep in mind that their support hours is M-F 9am-5pm EST and closed on weekends. Don't let it sit for too long.
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12-30-2021, 07:50 PM	#9
4bhishek New Member 2 Rep 7 Posts Drives: X156 GLA 45 AMG, B9.5 RS5 Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 Bmw 740i [0.00] 2017 Bmw 440i [0.00]	Hey guys, i have run into this same problem exact same thing my 2017 440i went to the dealer and they updated it to the latest i levels software and i tried to flash back to stage 2 on bm3 and the car wouldnt start, reset the ecu through the dealer it works fine now, i want to retune it to Stage 2 my question is were you able to bench unlock your ecu? Thanks
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12-31-2021, 06:10 PM	#10
biomed27 Lieutenant 42 Rep 540 Posts Drives: f30 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: usa iTrader: (2)	You have to reflash DME module with esys after flashing bootmod3
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01-20-2022, 11:59 PM	#11
4bhishek New Member 2 Rep 7 Posts Drives: X156 GLA 45 AMG, B9.5 RS5 Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 Bmw 740i [0.00] 2017 Bmw 440i [0.00]	Ok so an update. I had my dme bench unlocked, however the car still cannot be tuned. I reached out to PTF and even though my dme is bench unlocked now my software ID's are locked therefore it can't be tuned. They told me they are working on a fix for it and I just have to wait
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01-21-2022, 05:18 AM	#12
Yam_440i First Lieutenant 88 Rep 352 Posts Drives: White BMW 335i convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Jesus. This is literally a horror story of a simple tuning going wrong. I'm glad you got your car to start again, hopefully you'll be able to flash a map very soon
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01-22-2022, 01:40 PM	#13
lixiang7349 Lieutenant 284 Rep 487 Posts Drives: customE50Tune Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: N/A iTrader: (0)	The exact same thing happened to me and I switched to MHD.
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