Aux Heater

[Franknstein]

I've done some pretty extensive reading on the Aux heating for the X5 on various forums and just want to check if I am right on a few things.

1. If your sat-nav screen does not have Aux Heating option, then you dont have aux heating system installed.
2. I have a 3.0D, so will have the webasto heater.
3. I can buy one of these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WEBASTO-TELES ... 595wt_1399
And then the heating function will work with remote control and de-ice the windows, heat the engine and the cabin.

Is this correct? Or do I need to install more parts onto the webasto heater? Do i need to send the car in to get 'coded'.
Do I have to buy a BMW original telestart remote system?

thanks

[Steamyrotter]

You can code it to get the timer operated heater option enabled.
Some stealers won't do it as it is not a stndard EU option.
There are ways it can be done though.

[Rusty]

Hi there.

If the Sat Nav does not give the Aux heater option, then that is normal and would have to be enabled to give you that function.  BMW did not enable it for any UK cars apparently.

All E53 diesel models are fitted with the Webasto as standard.
You can either add a Telestart module, or if you are up to it you can add a remote control unit from Maplins to do a similar job.
I personally added a GSM unit to enable me to activate the heater using my mobile.
When the heater is activated using the telestart,  providing the battery is healthy enough, you have sufficient fuel and the outside temp is below 5 degrees, the heater will heat the engine and blow warm air into the cabin.  Nice

You will not need any coding by BMW, but if you wish to have the Aux heater timers on the screen, you will need someone with the scanner or similar to enable it for you.

HTH

[Franknstein]

Thanks Rusty, that has literally answered all of my questions on this process perfectly!

I will consider adding the telestart and perhaps even a maplin hack (I guess a relay connected to power and to the webasto heater on/off switch, which I can probably hack in at a plug-in port on the heater itself?).

Also sent Luton BMW Service dept an email asking if they'd be willing to activate the system.

Would an Indy be able to activate it on the timer function? Approx. cost of such a job?

cheers

[Franknstein]

Any idea what amperage the power to this heater is?

[Rusty]

Not sure of the amperage to the heater, but both the Maplins job and the Telestart only switch a 12V signal to the Webasto, so a 3A DC relay is more than enough.

HTH

[Franknstein]

Do tell me more about the GSM device please....

[Rusty]

I bought a GSM timed module off of ebay last year.

It is installed in the same way as a Maplins RF unit, either in the boot like jaynana did, or as I did, behind the Sat Nav screen in the car.  In the car the unit is kept dry and the aerial has a view of the sky without a bonnet in the way like it would if it were mounted in the engine bay.

I use an Orange PAYG SIM with £5.00 on it, and when I want the heater on, I ring the car, it cancels my call, then when it has switched the heater on, it rings me back to let me know the timer is active. I can cancel that call and there is no charge to the PAYG account.  As long as I answer 1 call every 3 - 6 months, the SIM stays active, and at only 10/12p per call, it costs next to nothing to run.

I will see if I can find a similar module and I will post a link.

HTH

[Rusty]

This is like the one I bought
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GSM-TIMER-SWI ... 748wt_1397

If you ring and speak to the seller (very helpful) he will make sure he supplies you with the right one - 12V DC with 30 min timer. 

Try that

[Franknstein]

I'm sure this would work:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REMOTE-CONTRO ... 373wt_1399

Built into a little box and hidden somewhere in the car. Just keeping the phone charged would be a pain - would have to add a timer circuit to only charge the phone for a few hours every few days - although, I reckon you could add the phone charge circuit to the ignition switch, that way the phone would charge every time you drive the car.

[Rusty]

See my post above

[Franknstein]

THanks Rusty.
I've got some options to think about now...

1. Timer function initialised at main dealer (they want me to come in, dont know what the f*** I'm talking about - always gives me great confidence when I know more that the main dealer

2. Super-cheap diy mobile phone kit £9.99 + phone + sim (I actually already have spare sim/phone)

3. Maplin Infra-red remote, circa £35

4. Dedicated GSM switch (from your contact) £69.99

5. Webasto Telestart kit (circa £130)


Tell me though, I see those telestart kits on ebay have with them a seperate wiring harness and another wired sensor it looks like.. you sure there is nothing else we need except to just switch the power on and off?

Also, what about the timing of the unit. Would I need to have an external timer function, or does the heater switch off automatically when engine is at a certain temp?

[dirtymonkey29]

First thing you want to try is powering it up from under the bonnet by connecting pin 1 to a 12v live.  It should run until the power is removed, if it doesn't then you'll have to work out why.  Battery needs to be good, needs to be a certain amount of fuel in the tank too.
BMW won't activate them, you'll need BMW scanner 1.4.0 which is worth having.
Getting the webasto working is very hit and miss

[Franknstein]

Yeah, I intend to test it with power to pin one - found quite a good write up about a e39 which had a telestart installed on it.

Any idea where a good 12v+ source is in the engine bay where I can jump power from to pin 1?

[Rusty]

The jumper bolt just behind the Webasto