Aftermarket radio fitted - dealer cant communicate with car?

[mikeythemini]

Has anyone ever been told by the dealer that their diagnostic computer can't communicate with a 1st gen Mini because there is an aftermarket stereo fitted?
Neither of my R53's have had this. But I have a customer with a GP that the dealer cant communicate with Having fitted many many stereos & sold over 1000 fitting kits for aftermarket stereos this is the first time I have come across it

[James]

sounds like maybe the dealer's just using it as an excuse for a problem they can't fix?

[humph]

The issue of dealers not being able to communicate with the car has cropped up before on here, but can't remember the reasons given as to why.

[Snowie]

Quote: Originally Posted by Crammy (original)

sounds like maybe the dealer's just using it as an excuse for a problem they can't fix?

Totally wrong

It is my car and I have actually been in the workshop with the dealer technicians trying to overcome the problem.
The fault shows up as an error because the BMW programmer looks for all items on the car and in my case could not recognise the radio. Thus the programme aborts until it can recognise all components.

After a few phone calls to Mikey all is now sorted.

The dealer was great about this. I was allowed into the workshop to work alongside the technician, I borrowed tools to be able to dismantle the car and disconnect the Parrot SW controller - did not work. So out with the drivers side shelf to gain access to the original radio loom, phone call to my son who then brought me the standard boost radio, I connected it up, called the technician over and hew presto 5 minutes later full programme access was gained and my OBC etc reset to read KM. I was then allowed to re-assemble the car and hand all tools back to technician.

The unanswered question is WHY - as MIkey states above many cars have after market radios, my other GP has aftermarket and will communicate so why a problem this time.

Scratches head and waits for an answer.

10 out of 10 for customer service from Mikey and Sytner Sunningdale.

Alan

[batou]

I've had an ECU update, brake sensor reset, service interval reset, engine diagnostics via laptop and explored the service menu myself since fitting an Alpine aftermarket HU.

[James]

out of ineterst what head unit was it?

[Snowie]

Clarion DVD, Clarion Sat Nav, Parrot 3100, MINI reversing camera, Full Speaker and amp upgrade. All fully integrated into MFSW.

[mikeythemini]

We have been puzzling over this one
We have changed the stereo in so many Minis over the last 7 years & never had this (inc my 2 Minis).
We also send fitting kits all around the world & have never heard of this from any of our international customers.
I have mailed the Mini ibus master to see if he has any ideas.

The only idea I have come up with so far is based upon the R56 Mini - on this car if you remove any part of the factory system then the diagnostic will throw up an error (from reports I have heard) I am wondering if the diagnostic computer software for the R50 has recently been updated & now looks for the factory stereo? something it hasnt done in the past???