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TCU Adapter Ordering Guide
Attention:
You only need the telephone adapter if you want to use the BlueBus to make and receive phone calls over Bluetooth. Further, you only need ONE adapter per vehicle.
Over the years, BMW changed the telephony system available in I-Bus cars. As such, there are three distinct BlueBus Telephone Mode harness adapters. Please use the guide below to figure out which version you need.
Please ensure you have the appropriate connectors by checking the driver-side trunk electronics box of your vehicle.
The table below is a quick reference. Please scroll down for images, etc.
North American Market
| Chassis | Years | Adapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E38 | 1999 or Earlier | DB25 | Verify a "phone" button on the steering wheel |
| E38 | 2000 - 2001 | SES | Verify a "Talking head" button on the steering wheel |
| E39 | 1999 or Earlier | DB25 | Verify a "phone" button on the steering wheel |
| E39 | 2000 - 2002 | SES | Connector may be hidden with zip ties in the harness. |
| E39 | 2003 | SES or 54-pin | Verify the SES connector has a "cap" (SES Jumper ES#200433) before using the 54-pin adapter. |
| E46 (Canada) | Any Model year | N/A | Contact Ted (support@bluebus.dev) for more information on this. |
| E46 | 2000 or earlier | 26-pin Black connector (non-SES) | Contact Ted (support@bluebus.dev) for more information on this. |
| E46 Coupe | 2001-2002 | SES | May also be equipped with 26-pin black connector. Ensure customer has the Blue SES connector in the trunk |
| E46 Coupe | 2003-2004 | SES or 54-pin | Verify the SES connector has a "cap" (SES Jumper ES#200433) before using the 54-pin adapter. |
| E46 Convertible | 2001-2004 | 54-pin | The rear seat must be removed to expose the connector, unless the car came with an OE TCU. |
| E46 | 2005-2006 | 54-pin | |
| E53 | 1999 - 2003 | SES | |
| E53 | 2004 | SES or 54-pin | Verify the SES connector has a "cap" (SES Jumper ES#200433) before using the 54-pin adapter. |
| E53 | 2005-2006 | 54-pin | |
| E83 | 2003-2010 | 54-pin | |
| E85/E86 | 2002-2005 | SES or 54-pin | Verify the SES connector has a "cap" (SES Jumper ES#200433) before using the 54-pin adapter. |
| E85/E86 | 2006-2008 | 54-pin |
European Market
IMPORTANT: Most European Vehicles were NOT pre-wired for telephony
| Chassis | Years | Adapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E38 | 1999 or Earlier | DB25 | Verify a "phone" button on the steering wheel |
| E38 | 2000 - 2001 | SES | Verify a "Talking head" button on the steering wheel |
| E39 | 1999 or Earlier | DB25 | Verify a "phone" button on the steering wheel |
| E39 | 2000 - 2002 | DB25 or SES | Connector may be hidden with zip ties in the harness. Verify the SES connector has a "cap" (SES Jumper ES#200433), or is missing before using the DB25 adapter. |
| E39 | 2003 | SES or 54-pin | Verify the SES connector has a "cap" (SES Jumper ES#200433) before using the 54-pin adapter. For 54-pin, Verify if vehicle was pre-wired for Siemens TCU as pin-out is different. |
| E46 | 2000 or earlier | DB25 | |
| E46 Coupe | 2001-2002 | SES | May also be equipped with 26-pin black connector. Ensure customer has the Blue SES connector in the trunk |
| E46 Coupe | 2003-2004 | SES or 54-pin | Verify the SES connector has a "cap" (SES Jumper ES#200433) before using the 54-pin adapter. For 54-pin, Verify if vehicle was pre-wired for Siemens TCU as pin-out is different. |
| E46 Convertible | 2001-2004 | 54-pin | The rear seat must be removed to expose the connector, unless the car came with an OE TCU. For 54-pin, Verify if vehicle was pre-wired for Siemens TCU as pin-out is different. |
| E46 | 2005-2006 | 54-pin | Verify if vehicle was pre-wired for Siemens TCU as pin-out is different. |
| E53 | 1999 - 2003 | DB25 or SES | Connector may be hidden with zip ties in the harness. Verify the SES connector has a "cap" (SES Jumper ES#200433), or is missing before using the DB25 adapter. |
| E53 | 2004 | SES or 54-pin | Verify the SES connector has a "cap" (SES Jumper ES#200433) before using the 54-pin adapter. For 54-pin, Verify if vehicle was pre-wired for Siemens TCU as pin-out is different. |
| E53 | 2005-2006 | 54-pin | Verify if vehicle was pre-wired for Siemens TCU as pin-out is different. |
| E83 | 2003-2010 | 54-pin | Verify if vehicle was pre-wired for Siemens TCU as pin-out is different. |
| E85/E86 | 2002-2005 | SES or 54-pin | Verify the SES connector has a "cap" (SES Jumper ES#200433) before using the 54-pin adapter. For 54-pin, Verify if vehicle was pre-wired for Siemens TCU as pin-out is different. |
| E85/E86 | 2006-2008 | 54-pin | Verify if vehicle was pre-wired for Siemens TCU as pin-out is different. |
E46
Build Date prior to 03/2002
You will have a black and a blue 26-pin connector if you're pre-wired for the telephone. Please ALWAYS order the SES adapter (blue 26-pin pictured below).
Build Date AFTER to 03/2002
If your E46 was pre-wired for telephone, then you will ALWAYS have the 54-pin version of the adapter.
However, certain cars built prior to mid-2004 may have come equipped with the SES connector. Please check your trunk!
If your SES connector looks like the one pictured below, then you should just buy the 54-pin connector adapter. Otherwise, if it does not have the "cap" on it, or if it's in use by an SES, then you MUST purchase the SES connector adapter.
This is the 54-pin TCU connector, which can be found in the trunk electronics box:
E83 / Z4
If you have an E83 / Z4 and if your car was pre-wired for Telephony, you will ALWAYS have the 54-pin version of the adapter.
However, certain cars built prior to mid-2004 may have come equipped with the SES connector. Please check your trunk!
If your SES connector looks like the one pictured below, then you should just buy the 54-pin connector adapter. Otherwise, if it does not have the "cap" on it, or if it's in use by an SES, then you MUST purchase the SES connector adapter.
This is the 54-pin TCU connector, which can be found in the trunk electronics box:
E38 / E39 / E53
SES / Voice Control Equipped or Pre-Wired Pre-2002
If you have the SES or the pre-wiring for it (pictured below -- blue connector with 26 pins), then you should purchase the SES Adapter.
The SES connector is responsible for creating continuity in the six signals that the BlueBus requires, thus
when it is not connected, there is no continuity from the TCU connector to the Radio, Amplifier and microphone.
Warning: If you have the SES / Voice Module (Option: S620/S620A) ensure that you remove the module! Failure to do so could result in damage to the BlueBus!
This is the SES connector, which can be found in the trunk electronics box:
Pre-2002 without SES or SES connector
Your car will likely be equipped with the TCU connector pictured below. It is similar to an older-style printer cable. Select "DB25-style connector".This is the DB25 connector, which can be found in the trunk electronics box:
2002+
Your car will be equipped with the 54 pin connector, if your car was pre-wired for Telephony. This is the "next generation" TCU/ULF connector.
You may also have the SES connector in the trunk, either disconnected, connected to a module, or "capped" off.
If your SES connector looks like the one pictured below, then you should just buy the 54-pin connector adapter. Otherwise, if it does not have the "cap" on it, or if it's in use by an SES, then you MUST purchase the SES connector adapter.
This is the 54-pin TCU connector, which can be found in the trunk electronics box:
Microphones (V2 BlueBus ONLY)
There are three distinct part numbers that you will run into, which are all different:
84316938762 - The cheapest and most readily available as it was used on the E46, E60, E65, E83, E86 and E9x. This microphone works well, but if you're taking a lot of calls, especially while driving, you may run into quality issues as it tends to pick up road noise that gets interpolated with your own voice. You can find one of these$
84318380338 - The best all around microphone and most expensive. It was used on the facelift E38 and some facelift E39s, so it's difficult to source second hand.
84318380319 - This microphone doesn't work well for most users. It has a distinctive "green" backing plate and it was used on some E39s and many E46s before the 2003.5 electronics facelift.