[Dochere2]

2024 X540i. Did some shopping. Came out, car unresponsive, handle pull, fob button press, nothing. Used the blade key to get in, alarm went off, nothing worked, no start, several malfunctions popped up. Used the BMW assist for roadside assistance. They had a master tech take a look, said software issue but can't fix remotely. Asked if I could unhook the battery cable and he said it may work, but I can't get the hatch open or the floor up. So tow and Uber it is. They set it all up but it's been a long wait. 4 hours and counting. Little bummed, wife said should have bought a Lexus, lol, no. Figured this would be a great time to post this unfortunate event.

OTA just happened a couple of days ago, 11/2023.73, I wonder if that's the issue?

I'll update when I know.

[aaaaaaaaaz]

My bet is your battery died, unless your car just finished upgrading and failed when you are costcoing

[Dochere2]

13.8 volts currently. Idrive / radio works. Nothing else. Tech seemed pretty confident it was an ecu / flash issue.

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Originally Posted by Dochere2

13.8 volts currently. Idrive / radio works. Nothing else. Tech seemed pretty confident it was an ecu / flash issue.

Well guess I’ll be upgrading when parking at dealer lot next time lol

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Dochere2

13.8 volts currently. Idrive / radio works. Nothing else. Tech seemed pretty confident it was an ecu / flash issue.

Might as well give it a shot - try rebooting iDrive and see if there is any difference. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

If they can't get it into neutral, or use the tool to get it into neutral, have them use dollys rather than dragging it onto the flatbed.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by alanzyy

Well guess I’ll be upgrading when parking at dealer lot next time lol

He updated a few days ago, his issue would have nothing to do with the install process.

[Dochere2]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

If they can't get it into neutral, or use the tool to get it into neutral, have them use dolly rathe than dragging it onto the flatbed.

Absolutely, thanks!

[rmorin1249]

Threads like this do not instill confidence in OTA software updates.

[LDT]

I find it hard to believe that a software update could brick the car.

[Theruleslawyer]

Originally Posted by LDT

I find it hard to believe that a software update could brick the car.

Really? I feel like there are quite a few threads on it.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by LDT

I find it hard to believe that a software update could brick the car.

The software update had nothing to do with this incident but have bricked quite a few in the past. We have seen some bricked with 8.5 so the issue still exists.

[Dochere2]

Quick update, a second flatbed with proper equipment finally showed around 9:30pm. The driver messed with the car a bit, tried starting, etc, no response, wouldn't budge. Dollies did the trick, car was loaded, alarm screaming the whole time. I followed the tow truck to the dealer. Lights randomly flashed on the X5 a few times on the way. We get there, he hops in and... starts it up. Wtf? He was actually able to pull it off the flatbed and park it. The driver then locked it and handed me the keys. I went to unlock it and nothing. No sounds, mirrors stayed folded in, etc. I ended up using the blade key again to get in and grab a few items. Wouldn't lock with the fob so I pushed the lock pin down and shut the door. For S&G's I hit the unlock button and bam, opened up. Hoped in and hit the start button, started right up. Who knows. Gremlins. At the dealer it will stay.

[Sevn86]

Originally Posted by LDT

I find it hard to believe that a software update could brick the car.

Unrelated to BMW but it did when I updated my Rivian once. They took roughly 48 hrs to figure it out. 3% of us were affected.

[E91toG05]

Keep us updated. I know it sounds nuts but feels like it could be a loose connection somewhere on something critical (battery?).

[SteVTEC]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

The software update had nothing to do with this incident but have bricked quite a few in the past. We have seen some bricked with 8.5 so the issue still exists.

But how can you know that?

They push an OTA update, and a module having a bug that causes it to crap out and wreak havoc like this a few days later seems quite possible to me. Software always has bugs.

[JoeAyalaM]

Originally Posted by E91toG05

Keep us updated. I know it sounds nuts but feels like it could be a loose connection somewhere on something critical (battery?).

Sounds like a faulty relay or switch, these cars have them between the main battery and the electrical systems, also to prevent battery drain on longer periods out of use.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by SteVTEC

But how can you know that?

They push an OTA update, and a module having a bug that causes it to crap out and wreak havoc like this a few days later seems quite possible to me. Software always has bugs.

I’m referring to the update process , not the software itself. It definitely could be a bug in the software but that is separate from the update.

[Lionel Hutz]

Have you tried your other key or the phone app?

[Kgerry59]

I would definitely try disconnecting the negative post from the battery for 5 minutes or so...

[mnx5er]

How many miles on it? Could well be an iffy connection somewhere in the electrical system. I have seen this before on the LCI.

Sure doesn't seem like it was the software update, but never say never

[BlkGS]

Yeah, that sounds exactly like a software issue. Software engineering (calling it engineering does the real engineers an incredible insult) is the most sloppy part of any organization. They don't track things well, they don't test things well they don't have a single care about quality, and they're totally fine with "known issues" sticking around for forever.

Can't say for sure that's what it is/was, but in no way would I be surprised.

[jad03060]

One thing to consider is that OTA updates are at least a version behind what the dealers have, so in theory anyway, stuff gets field tested before it hits an OTA update to the rest of the vehicles. At the dealership, they generally won’t update a vehicle unless it is to fix a problem the customer complains about. Generally, the dealership does not get paid by BMW to just generically update a vehicle…it has to be for a reason the updated software is known to address. Once they feel things are as stable as it can be, they start to dole it out to the rest of the fleet and start a new cycle at the dealer network.