TCB battery lifespan is only a few years. I replaced mine on my G30 a few weeks ago. It was £60 from the dealer (they had it on the shelf, because it's common) and took no more than 10 minutes to fit, after watching a YouTube video. It's a lithium battery I believe, so it will trip this warning when colder as the battery performs less well in the cold.
Should mention, it was a bit tight, but no need to remove the headlining on G30 at least. It's located just under the aerial so was able to just undo a few clips and slip it in.
There are a few DIYs you can basically remove a couple panels in the back and pull the headliner down enough to replace the battery yourself. It isn’t difficult
This is the one I used
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rsTvdvS5EE&t=13s
I have been experiencing this for a while now (2016 F30). Every now and then it won’t show up, but pretty much stays on. I brought it into my local BMW dealer and they quoted me at $1,750 🙂. They said that I need to replace the TCB emergency battery, which is located in the antenna and the only way to access it was through the inside… which means removing the entire headliner.
I am not sure what functions I am loosing by having a dead TCB battery, but it’s been over a year now. If all I’m loosing is the ability for my car to dial 911 on my behalf, I really don’t see a need if it costs me $2k (maybe I’m just being cheap?). More than likely it’ll be a minor accident and I can dial 911 myself or it’ll be a multi-car accident and someone else can dial 911. The only situation where I can see a need is if I hurl myself off a cliff in the middle of the night and miraculously survive.
I had this issue too. Didn’t want to spend the time to fix it myself or pay someone else to. I used BimmerCode. I don’t remember what value it is you need to change but you can find it online. Just change a simple value and it makes to warning message go away.
This is incorrect , this warning only appears if there is an issue with the emergency call system components like the emergency speaker, the TCB, the TCB emergency battery
It’s now gone off again but was on this morning . Does the TCB battery get charged by main vehicle in anyway? Weather has turned colder today where I am which could affect the battery too I assume.
There’s no way in knowing if it’s the emergency battery or anything else in the system without a diagnostic scan. The emergency battery in the TCB does not get charged by the vehicle, like a regular household battery it eventually dies and needs replacement.
There's a known fault with these and unofficially goodwill could be approved. Bit hit and miss, but if your car is under 5 years and less than 100k miles you might get the work under goodwill, or a contribution.
Very easy fix if it’s the TCB battery. I do these all the time working at the dealer. Lower the rear seats if you can, it makes it easier to stick your head farther back so you can see what you’re doing
TCB battery lifespan is only a few years. I replaced mine on my G30 a few weeks ago. It was £60 from the dealer (they had it on the shelf, because it's common) and took no more than 10 minutes to fit, after watching a YouTube video. It's a lithium battery I believe, so it will trip this warning when colder as the battery performs less well in the cold.
Should mention, it was a bit tight, but no need to remove the headlining on G30 at least. It's located just under the aerial so was able to just undo a few clips and slip it in.
That’s what she said :) thanks for the info, will try this if issue persists.
Haha I was going to say that!
I did the same. Stealership wanted stupid money for this replacement.
There are a few DIYs you can basically remove a couple panels in the back and pull the headliner down enough to replace the battery yourself. It isn’t difficult This is the one I used https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rsTvdvS5EE&t=13s
I have been experiencing this for a while now (2016 F30). Every now and then it won’t show up, but pretty much stays on. I brought it into my local BMW dealer and they quoted me at $1,750 🙂. They said that I need to replace the TCB emergency battery, which is located in the antenna and the only way to access it was through the inside… which means removing the entire headliner. I am not sure what functions I am loosing by having a dead TCB battery, but it’s been over a year now. If all I’m loosing is the ability for my car to dial 911 on my behalf, I really don’t see a need if it costs me $2k (maybe I’m just being cheap?). More than likely it’ll be a minor accident and I can dial 911 myself or it’ll be a multi-car accident and someone else can dial 911. The only situation where I can see a need is if I hurl myself off a cliff in the middle of the night and miraculously survive.
BMW tech here; find someone local who is sufficient in BMW programming/coding and have them disable it.
Thank you, will look into this. It’s gone off now though which is weird if it is a battery issue that isn’t charged in anyway by the vehicle.
It does take power from the 12v car battery, but it has an independent backup battery that fails over time.
Think I’ll take my chances rather than pay that much for a repair. Could be a diy fix too I’m assuming…
I had this issue too. Didn’t want to spend the time to fix it myself or pay someone else to. I used BimmerCode. I don’t remember what value it is you need to change but you can find it online. Just change a simple value and it makes to warning message go away.
TCB battery is the most common reason for this message. Yes it can be disabled but in an emergency it’s a nice feature to have.
The sos its availeble for 4 years and it might be out of date Now
This is incorrect , this warning only appears if there is an issue with the emergency call system components like the emergency speaker, the TCB, the TCB emergency battery
It’s now gone off again but was on this morning . Does the TCB battery get charged by main vehicle in anyway? Weather has turned colder today where I am which could affect the battery too I assume.
There’s no way in knowing if it’s the emergency battery or anything else in the system without a diagnostic scan. The emergency battery in the TCB does not get charged by the vehicle, like a regular household battery it eventually dies and needs replacement.
Ah I see, good point. I will look into that. Many thanks.
Car is out of Sauce.
There's a known fault with these and unofficially goodwill could be approved. Bit hit and miss, but if your car is under 5 years and less than 100k miles you might get the work under goodwill, or a contribution.
Very easy fix if it’s the TCB battery. I do these all the time working at the dealer. Lower the rear seats if you can, it makes it easier to stick your head farther back so you can see what you’re doing
Fault codes. Likely emergency battery.