I’ve had my BMW X7 for only a couple of months when I got the dreaded “SOS Emergency Call System Malfunction” warning message on the dash. At first, I though it was a simple fix, maybe a code reset or a module reset, but it turned out to be way more complicated! After the initial research, I learned that all of the communication channels and antennas go through the TCU or TCB module which must stay powered on even when the vehicle is not running. For this reason, there is a small battery that powers this module. In a lot of cases, when you get the Emergency Call System control check on the screen, it means that the battery has died and must be replaced. It’s actually meant to be replaced every 3-4 years as per BMW. What’s crazy is that to do so, it requires the headliner to be removed or at the very least dropped a few inches to access the TCU module and replace the battery. This is not a cheap job from the dealer and would cost a few hundred dollars if not covered by the warranty. In my case, the battery wasn’t the problem and the actual module was water damaged and corroded. The water leaked in through the shark fin on top of the roof and caused all of this damage. The entire module had to be replaced and programmed to get the SOS functionality as well as any communication functionality back which must be done by the dealer. In this video I show you how to replace the TCU battery on the BMW X7 and explain what happens when that doesn’t work.
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Very educational video. glad to learn how to take handles and pillars off (though wish I would never have to do it myself :)). I have read elsewhere TCU is prone to water damage due to shar fin leak. Would you mind sharing what material you used to seal shark fin? is the shark fin still removable with seal in case of later repair?
Your bimmers sure keep you entertained!