Going to make a BMW e46 IBus HOWTO, need a kickstart

**Fmstrat** · 04-29-2008, 08:57 AM

Hey guys, I made a HOWTO a while back for fabricating an LCD mount out of fiberglass for my Endeavor (http://www.triangletuners.com/howto/Endeavor/index.php) and realized after sifting through a billion posts that the community is in real need of an iBus HOWTO.

I've yet to purchase my e46, so I figured I would start by ensuring that I go down that path that would be most followed by any future iBus users. To do that, I've got some questions:

1) It seems much more common for the e46's out there to not have the factory NAV system. I'm guessing I'll end up that route. Does that seem to be the most common denominator?

2) Most of the iBus threads are very old. Is Reslers's USB device the most popular (http://www.reslers.de/)? I will be going with USB since it's the most likely to be future proof.

3) RoadRunner appears to be the most popular frontend, and the one I have the most experience with, so I will go that route with the use of the iBusRR plugin. What is the most up to date RR Skin that takes advantage of iBus features? The iGoBMW skin (http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/rr-s...ansparent.html) seems to be the latest I could find, but hasn't been updated in a long time. It also lacks radio features, which is a big miss.

4) Is there a post anywhere that details all the possible iBus commands available? Speaking of which, can the factory radio be controlled by iBusRR? I.E. selecting stations.

5) Other than RR+iBusRR, what other software needs are there?

6) For getting audio to the car, I've seen a few methods from the SVEN4 to a Car2PC IBus adapter (Testers needed: VW, AUDI, BMW stock headunit USB adapter !) to replacing with an aftermarket amp. I like the Car2PC method since it would require the least effort from future installers, and theoretically is the most complicated since it uses the iBus. How does the Car2PC compare to Reslers's adapter? Will it do all of the same functions plus the audio? Can the same thing be done by using Reslers's device and splicing a cable from the headphone jack of a laptop into the CD changer wires?

Once I have some answers I'll start putting things together in a writeup with pictures and potentially video, post a thread and add to Wiki.

Thanks in advance everyone for helping out.

**Enforcer** · 04-29-2008, 09:04 AM

If you do manage to get the iBus How To, don't forget to put it up on BMW-carputers.com

**chrislamb** · 04-29-2008, 09:18 AM

and please try and include MINI models as well........

**Fmstrat** · 04-29-2008, 09:28 AM

Sure, I can post on BMW-carputers.com. I'm guessing thats your site? If you have any information from there that could help me on my way, please provide. Thanks.

I have also learned an alternate method of audio connection if I find a 2003+ e46: http://www.mattmcnulty.com/325xi/DIY/aux_input.html I will try not to go that route since it doesn't apply to all models.

As for Mini's, I do have a friend with a mini, and I would guess the only big hookup difference would be the location of the iBus connector. I will include those details/images if he'll let me sniff around his car, no guarantee's though.

**Fmstrat** · 04-29-2008, 02:00 PM

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=99367

That post states that he could change radio stations on his M5. Isn't the iBus the same across the 5 and 3 series?

**Enforcer** · 04-29-2008, 02:42 PM

Yes and No.

The basics are the same, but they may have different codes for different things.

Look for posts by Sama, RadioTrib, DarthTater, JonesC, WarField and a few others that have done work on this.

**dan32500** · 04-30-2008, 04:34 PM

Home it helps:

WaRFiElD on the www.HackTheIbus.com forum founds some interesting
code for his E46!

3F 05 00 0C 01 01 turn off interior lights
3F 05 00 0C 02 01 open trunk
3F 05 00 0C 03 01 lock doors + fade out interior lights
3F 05 00 0C 05 01 open trunk (again??)
3F 05 00 0C 13 01 return some data, relating to light control?(unsure)
3F 05 00 0C 30 01 turn on key buzzer for 2 seconds + fade-in/out interior lights
3F 05 00 0C 34 01 lock/unlock doors

3F 05 00 0C 41 01 Open rear driver window
3F 05 00 0C 42 01 close rear driver window

3F 05 00 0C 43 01 close rear passenger window
3F 05 00 0C 44 01 open rear passenger window

3F 05 00 0C 45 01 trigger unknown relay (coming from rear doors?)

3F 05 00 0C 46 01 lock front passenger door only
3F 05 00 0C 47 01 lock front driver door only

3F 05 00 0C 49 01 trigger wipers
3F 05 00 0C 4A 01 trigger unknown relay (under cluster)
3F 05 00 0C 4B 01 trigger windshield washer pump for 3 seconds (no liquid sprayed)
3F 05 00 0C 4E 01 turn-on clown nose for 3 seconds
3F 05 00 0C 4F 01 lock all but driver door

3F 05 00 0C 52 01 Open front driver window
3F 05 00 0C 53 01 close front driver window

3F 05 00 0C 54 01 Open front passenger window
3F 05 00 0C 55 01 close front passenger window

3F 05 00 0C 60 01 turn on interior lights for 3 seconds
3F 05 00 0C 62 01 spray windshield washer fluid
3F 05 00 0C 63 01 trigger trunk relay for 3 seconds (use 95 01 or 02 01 instead for release only)
3F 05 00 0C 68 01 fade out interior lights
3F 05 00 0C 70 01 flash hazards + turn on interior lights
3F 05 00 0C 73 01 trigger many door relays, don't know what it does
3F 05 00 0C 75 01 flash hazards for 3 seconds (no blinker in-dash)

3F 05 00 0C 7E 01 open sunroof
3F 05 00 0C 7F 01 close sunroof

3F 05 00 0C 95 01 open trunk (yes, again!)
3F 05 00 0C 97 01 lock/unlock doors

- lock remote pressed:
00 04 BF 72 12 DB
00 05 BF 7A 70 00 B0 - interior light control
00 04 BF 72 02 CB

lights start to dim to off 8 seconds after press:
00 05 BF 7A 30 00 F0 - interior light control

unlock (quick press)
00 04 BF 02 00 B9
00 05 BF 7A 70 00 B0 - interior light control

**Fmstrat** · 05-01-2008, 03:07 PM

Awesome, thanks. Still waiting on getting an activation on the hacktheibus group at some point.

**chrislamb** · 05-02-2008, 02:21 AM

The best Ibus connection in the MINI is in the boot(trunk) for the CD Changer, that's where I have my Car2PC plugged in.
I volunteer my car for sniffing!

**polo6979** · 05-05-2008, 04:22 PM

I would love to have this manual. I purchased the ibus controller over a year ago and have never hooked it up. It would be nice to have the steering wheel controls working.