Telephone

[DAGERM50]

I have a factory cellphone in my 1989 750 il and its locked. cant turn it on!! can someone telll me what can be done to get it unlocked????

[gkissell]

Me too!

[trj911]

I think you have to find a local cellular company who will give you service.

[gkissell]

Getting service is not the problem. Would the cellular company be able to unlock the phone?

Not like the radio CODE, the phone lock code is programmed by the previous owner so the phone must be hard-reset. And there in lies the key.

[trj911]

Wouldn't the dealer be able to supply the code? My code was in the instruction book for the phone.

[gkissell]

The phone code can be changed at anytime. The default of 000 or last three of the phone number is only temporary. If your previous owner did not change the code, there you go. (Or was kind enough to write it down)

I am the third owner and the second never had the code. He had no desire to use the phone.

My car is 100% original equipment and I love that. A new phone would be great if it where BMW and plugged right in. That's not going to happen, that I know of. There does not seem to be an official upgrade path from this era. ('91 750iL) Later models can get factory upgrades.

So, I have an old phone that is locked and would at least like to un-lock it and then consider service. Analog service is not a problem in this area.

Although there are two or three models offered in this car and a different, unlocked, phone would work I guess. But I hate to spend money on something I already have. What do you do with a locked phone?

If there where enough interest I would consider working on an upgrade kit myself but there is no demand and I cannot afford to do it for free.

I was hopping to find some vetran from Audiovox who knew the answer.

[trj911]

I am beginning to see your delima. I talked with Motorola and BMW about a retrofit harness that would allow me to use a new generation phone in an older car and they all said there is no such thing. I tried to get a wiring diagram for the existing phone so I could try to make something myself but I didn't have any luck there either. I pulled the BMW phone and all the hardware out of the car and I liked the room it freed up between the seats and I use the storage tray the held the "brain" of the phone for my garage door opener and regular cell phone. I am able to use the power source from the original BMW phone for my current phone.

[gkissell]

I have considered something similar as well. There is even a BMW part that fits the pocket and converts it to a mini-console-arm-rest. Not sure about availability but there is a part.

Either the dealer or cell company should be able to deal with it but I have not been motivated enough to persue it yet. Sure would have been handy a few times though. Besides, not big on anything that requires monthly fees. Sattelite radio will never be in my car!

[James Fling]

I have a 92 735 with a factory Motorola phone. I bought the car as a lease return and I wanted to use the phone becase of the "hands off" feature. Motorola got the phone unlocked by unpluging the powere connector in the trunk and after a minute plug it in and punch in 5555 code to unlock follower by placing a new code 0000. All of this was to to avail because they could not figure out how to program in new phone numbers. Add to this that all cell providers now only use digital and a phone as old as 89 will be analog and not work with cell providers. I have considered getting a newer phone from a 2001 BMW but the 92 computer will not be compatable I'm guessing. Good luck

[gkissell]

Well, couple of things I have learned since then.

I was able to un-lock my phone as well.

Verizon still provides analog service in some markets.

Programming instructions can be had by searching the internet. Somewhere in all my mess is the web address for a site with instructions for thousands of analog phones.

What is the EXACT model of your phone James? I might be able to find the instructions for you, if you are really interested in making this thing work.

And you are correct, the new model phones will not work in the older cars. The only thing the old cars have is audio-mute with the Pioneer radio. The early Alpine units did not mute when the phone rang/in-use.

New phones are completely integrated with the check control module and MID. They are BMW specific and for certain models. NOT compatible with anything else.

[James Fling]

Good news for you maybe. I removed my phone and now just use a handheld digital. None of the providers in my area offer analog service. Thanks for the offer. Jim