Fried FRM Module

CDNBimmer · 09-23-2021, 09:37 PM

Today I took my X5 to my usual shop to diagnose a squeaky belt and rough idle (cold start only). While in the process of diagnosing they tell me the FRM module fried, they also tell me it's a well known problem, yet it's entirely my problem (that didn't exist before).

Has anyone (specifically Canadian) had any luck recouping some of the costs from BMW? If so, how?

What frustrates me is that the costly repair supposedly can happen for many reasons simply in the process of repairing/diagnostics of the car. How the f!!k does that make sense.

robinasu · 09-24-2021, 04:11 PM

There was some kind of BMW action on the FRM issue. It was sensitive to voltage so if a non-BMW tester or something else (from fuzzy memory here) scans the car it dies. Something like this. Lots of Youtube videos on it and there are repair services on eBay. Seems to be common. Call a close BMW dealer and see what they will do for you.

Sophisticated Redneck · 09-24-2021, 04:36 PM

BMW has an extended the warranty on the FRM to 120k, mine fried at 110k when battery died and had to jump truck, BMW completely covered the cost to replace. Had them do the airbag recall while I was there. Not sure if warranty applies to Canada but worth a shot to see what they can do for you as other member mentioned. You will need to fight for it, if dealers tell you no, go to BMW North America direct and make sure, dealers make more money If they get you to rather then warranty repair.

b1aze · 09-24-2021, 07:53 PM

I fried a buddies FRM by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. It happens often especially if it’s 6+ years old. Kinda par for the course with older bimmers unfortunately, gotta pay to play.

Dawgz · 09-24-2021, 09:59 PM

Ya I feel like Everytime you disconnect the battery...there's a chance you'll get the FRM when you reconnect it.

bimmerman14 · 09-25-2021, 03:13 AM

Extended coverage from bmw check your vin with local service center

robinasu · 09-25-2021, 12:33 PM

I remember playing with ISTA-P and seeing some options for a FRM update or fix. Can't remember if I did it. I suspect the latest datem files may have a software fix for it if it hasn't been bricked yet. Anyway, I may have been lucky as I was coding and programming a bunch of things when I was installing ACC, although I was not disconnecting the battery and I used a battery maintainer 95% of the time. If you disconnect the battery I think you can't be sloppy and cause a bunch of arcs- especially important on reconnection- gotta get the terminal on the post in one shot. On disconnection, I would disconnect after the car modules are all asleep, which is 10 minutes to be safe. Just leave the rear hatch open so you don't wake the car again as you open it.

dang2407 · 09-27-2021, 03:05 AM

Do the modules go to sleep if one door is open and the car isn't locked?

robinasu · 09-27-2021, 01:56 PM

Yes, they will sleep with doors open and it's unlocked. When the lights (P light) on the shifter goes out, the car is nearly 100% to sleep- just a master module or two is on, if I recall. After 10 minutes it should be all asleep (unless somebody changed the sleep time coding).

09-23-2021, 09:37 PM	#1
CDNBimmer Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 265 Posts Drives: 07 BMW 335i & 09 BMW 128i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Fried FRM Module Today I took my X5 to my usual shop to diagnose a squeaky belt and rough idle (cold start only). While in the process of diagnosing they tell me the FRM module fried, they also tell me it's a well known problem, yet it's entirely my problem (that didn't exist before). Has anyone (specifically Canadian) had any luck recouping some of the costs from BMW? If so, how? What frustrates me is that the costly repair supposedly can happen for many reasons simply in the process of repairing/diagnostics of the car. How the f!!k does that make sense.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-24-2021, 04:11 PM	#2
robinasu Private First Class 14 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2012 E70 BMW X5d Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Man Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	There was some kind of BMW action on the FRM issue. It was sensitive to voltage so if a non-BMW tester or something else (from fuzzy memory here) scans the car it dies. Something like this. Lots of Youtube videos on it and there are repair services on eBay. Seems to be common. Call a close BMW dealer and see what they will do for you.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-24-2021, 04:36 PM	#3
Sophisticated Redneck Lieutenant Colonel 1416 Rep 1,564 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW X5 50i Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	BMW has an extended the warranty on the FRM to 120k, mine fried at 110k when battery died and had to jump truck, BMW completely covered the cost to replace. Had them do the airbag recall while I was there. Not sure if warranty applies to Canada but worth a shot to see what they can do for you as other member mentioned. You will need to fight for it, if dealers tell you no, go to BMW North America direct and make sure, dealers make more money If they get you to rather then warranty repair.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-24-2021, 07:53 PM	#4
b1aze Just one more taste... 566 Rep 2,011 Posts Drives: 2013 128i 6MT MSport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Uxbridge MA iTrader: (18)	I fried a buddies FRM by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. It happens often especially if it’s 6+ years old. Kinda par for the course with older bimmers unfortunately, gotta pay to play. __________________ My Build Thread: Jet Black 6MT 128i with MSport
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-24-2021, 09:59 PM	#5
Dawgz 2022 M4 Comp Xdrive 1016 Rep 1,539 Posts Drives: 2022 M4 Comp Xdrive Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Ya I feel like Everytime you disconnect the battery...there's a chance you'll get the FRM when you reconnect it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-25-2021, 03:13 AM	#6
bimmerman14 bmw doctor 10 Rep 119 Posts Drives: x7(kid hauler) 13 x550i 07328i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: freehold nj iTrader: (0)	Extended coverage from bmw check your vin with local service center
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-25-2021, 12:33 PM	#7
robinasu Private First Class 14 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2012 E70 BMW X5d Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Man Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	I remember playing with ISTA-P and seeing some options for a FRM update or fix. Can't remember if I did it. I suspect the latest datem files may have a software fix for it if it hasn't been bricked yet. Anyway, I may have been lucky as I was coding and programming a bunch of things when I was installing ACC, although I was not disconnecting the battery and I used a battery maintainer 95% of the time. If you disconnect the battery I think you can't be sloppy and cause a bunch of arcs- especially important on reconnection- gotta get the terminal on the post in one shot. On disconnection, I would disconnect after the car modules are all asleep, which is 10 minutes to be safe. Just leave the rear hatch open so you don't wake the car again as you open it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-27-2021, 03:05 AM	#8
dang2407 Private 9 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW X5 E70 35D MSport Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: France iTrader: (0)	Do the modules go to sleep if one door is open and the car isn't locked?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-27-2021, 01:56 PM	#9
robinasu Private First Class 14 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2012 E70 BMW X5d Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Man Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	Yes, they will sleep with doors open and it's unlocked. When the lights (P light) on the shifter goes out, the car is nearly 100% to sleep- just a master module or two is on, if I recall. After 10 minutes it should be all asleep (unless somebody changed the sleep time coding).
	Appreciate 0 Quote