Failed OTA Update "Bricked" Car

thanatosbruce000 · 12-01-2022, 10:16 PM

Well today I received a notice from the MyBMW app that there was a firmware update for my 2022 M240i.

After arriving home and parking in my garage I started the update and went in the house to make dinner. About 45 minutes later I went out to see how things were going and was greeted with the results below and a car that would not start.

Called BMW Roadside Assistance and was connected with a Master Tech. The tech indicated that this is not a particularly rare situation. He was able do deactivate the engine start lock so that it could be started to get on the flatbed trailer back to the dealer.

So, if you get a OTA update notice, good luck!

ryo- · 12-01-2022, 10:28 PM

well this is not reassuring... my BMW is my only mode of transportation and I can't risk not having it operable...

thanatosbruce000 · 12-01-2022, 10:50 PM

A few more details from the tech I talked to.
He made it sound like the update process is a bit temperamental with regard to ANY activity with the car while the update is in progress including just opening the door which wakes up the car systems.
He indicated the recommendation is to start the upgrade and walk away for at least 45 minutes to an hour.

In my case, I wasn't actually immediately greeted with the results in the pic. I went out to the car after about 30 minutes, the car woke up and I was able to observe the percent complete go from 50%-100% and restart iDrive then I got the shown results.

Did my going out there and opening the door result in the failure? According to what the tech said, possibly. If true that would seem pretty damning of BMW and their upgrade path if opening a door during the process can cause a failure.

Invisiblename · 12-02-2022, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thanatosbruce000

A few more details from the tech I talked to.
He made it sound like the update process is a bit temperamental with regard to ANY activity with the car while the update is in progress including just opening the door which wakes up the car systems.
He indicated the recommendation is to start the upgrade and walk away for at least 45 minutes to an hour.

In my case, I wasn't actually immediately greeted with the results in the pic. I went out to the car after about 30 minutes, the car woke up and I was able to observe the percent complete go from 50%-100% and restart iDrive then I got the shown results.

Did my going out there and opening the door result in the failure? According to what the tech said, possibly. If true that would seem pretty damning of BMW and their upgrade path if opening a door during the process can cause a failure.

For what it's worth, I've done 2 OTA in a M135i iDrive 7 & 1 in a M840i iDrive 7, and all went without a hitch

MPR · 12-02-2022, 10:03 AM

Maybe because the car was not being operated it went to sleep mid update? I'd probably try only doing the update while driving

Coconut · 12-02-2022, 12:17 PM

Are these OTA updates done through your homes wifi or from 4G/5G networks?

Invisiblename · 12-02-2022, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPR

Maybe because the car was not being operated it went to sleep mid update? I'd probably try only doing the update while driving

You can't do the update while driving, just the download & pre-install prep; the install itself must be done while parked, with a well charged battery (80% min I think), on level ground, and above a minimum temp I think (but I don't know what that would be)

Invisiblename · 12-02-2022, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coconut

Are these OTA updates done through your homes wifi or from 4G/5G networks?

If you're pre-loading it to your BMW app, it's whatever you phone is using; it then uses a WiFi link between your phone & the car to transfer the software. If your doing the download direct to your car, it comes via the cars built in sim (4g I think)

thanatosbruce000 · 12-06-2022, 11:36 PM

Still don't have the car back but it sounds like it may have been some sort of hardware fault.
The dealer indicated that BMW USA wanted to do the reprogramming remotely and that their attempt failed when one of the modules, they did not specify which, refused to take the software.
BMW indicated that the module needed to be replaced so now we are waiting for the replacement to arrive.
I will try to get more details when I pick up the car.

ryo- · 12-07-2022, 12:26 AM

I just did my update today and there were no issues. the car did instruct me to lock the vehicle once the update started (if I wanted to leave) or if I wanted to stay in the car, I needed to make sure the central locking system was powered throughout the update. I left and locked the car (mirrors did not fold in nor beep, but the locks engaged) and the update finished with no issues.

thanatosbruce000 · 12-10-2022, 12:55 AM

Dealer verified that it was a hardware fault and unrelated to any action I may have taken during the upgrade process.
The “Ultrasonic Control Unit” was found to be at fault and was replaced.
I guess I was just unlucky but it all worked out.

12-01-2022, 10:16 PM	#1
thanatosbruce000 Enlisted Member 30 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 2022 M240i Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Salt Lake City iTrader: (0)	Failed OTA Update "Bricked" Car Well today I received a notice from the MyBMW app that there was a firmware update for my 2022 M240i. After arriving home and parking in my garage I started the update and went in the house to make dinner. About 45 minutes later I went out to see how things were going and was greeted with the results below and a car that would not start. Called BMW Roadside Assistance and was connected with a Master Tech. The tech indicated that this is not a particularly rare situation. He was able do deactivate the engine start lock so that it could be started to get on the flatbed trailer back to the dealer. So, if you get a OTA update notice, good luck! Last edited by thanatosbruce000; 12-01-2022 at 10:19 PM.. Reason: missing image
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12-01-2022, 10:28 PM	#2
ryo- First Lieutenant 251 Rep 355 Posts Drives: '22 MWM M240i Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Central California iTrader: (0)	well this is not reassuring... my BMW is my only mode of transportation and I can't risk not having it operable...
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12-01-2022, 10:50 PM	#3
thanatosbruce000 Enlisted Member 30 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 2022 M240i Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Salt Lake City iTrader: (0)	A few more details from the tech I talked to. He made it sound like the update process is a bit temperamental with regard to ANY activity with the car while the update is in progress including just opening the door which wakes up the car systems. He indicated the recommendation is to start the upgrade and walk away for at least 45 minutes to an hour. In my case, I wasn't actually immediately greeted with the results in the pic. I went out to the car after about 30 minutes, the car woke up and I was able to observe the percent complete go from 50%-100% and restart iDrive then I got the shown results. Did my going out there and opening the door result in the failure? According to what the tech said, possibly. If true that would seem pretty damning of BMW and their upgrade path if opening a door during the process can cause a failure.
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12-02-2022, 10:03 AM	#5
MPR Lieutenant Colonel 1821 Rep 1,961 Posts Drives: 22 BMW M240i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Maybe because the car was not being operated it went to sleep mid update? I'd probably try only doing the update while driving
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12-02-2022, 12:17 PM	#6
Coconut Lieutenant 769 Rep 504 Posts Drives: 2023 M240i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	Are these OTA updates done through your homes wifi or from 4G/5G networks? __________________ 2017 Chevrolet Corvette 2023 BMW M240i xDrive
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12-06-2022, 11:36 PM	#9
thanatosbruce000 Enlisted Member 30 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 2022 M240i Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Salt Lake City iTrader: (0)	Still don't have the car back but it sounds like it may have been some sort of hardware fault. The dealer indicated that BMW USA wanted to do the reprogramming remotely and that their attempt failed when one of the modules, they did not specify which, refused to take the software. BMW indicated that the module needed to be replaced so now we are waiting for the replacement to arrive. I will try to get more details when I pick up the car.
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12-07-2022, 12:26 AM	#10
ryo- First Lieutenant 251 Rep 355 Posts Drives: '22 MWM M240i Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Central California iTrader: (0)	I just did my update today and there were no issues. the car did instruct me to lock the vehicle once the update started (if I wanted to leave) or if I wanted to stay in the car, I needed to make sure the central locking system was powered throughout the update. I left and locked the car (mirrors did not fold in nor beep, but the locks engaged) and the update finished with no issues.
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12-10-2022, 12:55 AM	#11
thanatosbruce000 Enlisted Member 30 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 2022 M240i Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Salt Lake City iTrader: (0)	Dealer verified that it was a hardware fault and unrelated to any action I may have taken during the upgrade process. The “Ultrasonic Control Unit” was found to be at fault and was replaced. I guess I was just unlucky but it all worked out.
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