Will hardwiring a GPS void my warranty?

sjg111 · 03-09-2010, 06:36 PM

I searched for this, but couldn't find anything specifically pertaining to a GPS. About a month ago, my boyfriend hardwired my GPS under the center console and into the center compartment. It's nice to have less wires showing, but I don't want to keep it hardwired if it somehow affects the warranty.

deletedelete · 03-09-2010, 06:39 PM

Yes for sure. Anything even unrelated stuff can void a warranty. No joke.

bsamoul · 03-09-2010, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prowess Symphony

Yes for sure. Anything even unrelated stuff can void a warranty. No joke.

+1 take it firsthand from him. He's going through that hell right now.

TommyK · 03-09-2010, 06:51 PM

i wouldnt think it would be an issue. you will only have problems w/ BMW if something breaks that you have messed with. i would keep it the way it is now it you like it. if something breaks. take it our before you get to the dealer. but the interiors on BMW are pretty good, not much breaking happens there. so chances are your car will be out of warranty before something breaks

stratplaya06 · 03-09-2010, 06:59 PM

100% depends on the dealer. I got a hard time about my v1 hardwire when I had a gauge cluster issue, so I took it out and low and behold it was on the wrong fuse and was pulling too much current! Lessons learned: make sure it's installed properly, and make it easily removable for dealer visits. Those are the two most important concepts in warranty-period modding.

DSXMachina · 03-09-2010, 07:37 PM

Hi sjg. Sorry to confuse you even further but here are the facts. BMW cannot arbitrarily void the warranty. If you have a problem then they must be able to show that your mod resulted in the failure. Also, even if you did cause a failure, say of the radio, then only the radio warranty would be affected.
There are a lot of unused spaces in the fuse box of a 328. Use one of them. NEVER tap into a wire either to get 12V or ground. Run a hot wire out of a new fuse in the fuse box (they make special fuses with a connector on them just for this purpose), and always run your ground wire to a stand alone ground. In other words, do not share a ground mount with other devices. If your device shorts BMW could claim that your 12v backfed into one of their devices.
There is no reason not to hardwire in a GPS or a radar detector, I've done both. You MUST make sure your bf isn't a hack and does the job right. I have seen many laughable wiring jobs done over the years. How some of them did not start a fire is beyond me.

galahad05 · 03-09-2010, 07:40 PM

Yes, it could--not legally per se, but pretty much yes any ways ("warranty denied" -- "what? I'll sue!" -- "good luck with that").

And probably set your car on fire and cause the runflats to bubble.

Okay, maybe not that last part.

sjg111 · 03-09-2010, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

Hi sjg. Sorry to confuse you even further but here are the facts. BMW cannot arbitrarily void the warranty. If you have a problem then they must be able to show that your mod resulted in the failure. Also, even if you did cause a failure, say of the radio, then only the radio warranty would be affected.
There are a lot of unused spaces in the fuse box of a 328. Use one of them. NEVER tap into a wire either to get 12V or ground. Run a hot wire out of a new fuse in the fuse box (they make special fuses with a connector on them just for this purpose), and always run your ground wire to a stand alone ground. In other words, do not share a ground mount with other devices. If your device shorts BMW could claim that your 12v backfed into one of their devices.
There is no reason not to hardwire in a GPS or a radar detector, I've done both. You MUST make sure your bf isn't a hack and does the job right. I have seen many laughable wiring jobs done over the years. How some of them did not start a fire is beyond me.

He didn't mess with any of the BMW wires. The original GPS plug goes straight into the stock auxiliary plug...There's just a small hole under the ashtray cover, which he sealed with caulk.

galahad05 · 03-09-2010, 07:56 PM

BMW would be very hard pressed to find fault with that.
Still, you could end up working with a prick service guy(s)/dealership, whose pleasure is to give you pain. Pardon my French.

Oulixes · 03-09-2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prowess Symphony

Yes for sure. Anything even unrelated stuff can void a warranty. No joke.

+1, true. Hard wiring a GPS is trivial, but the warranty is often used to stop people doing any work on their cars.

Bimmer This · 03-09-2010, 10:47 PM

It actually depends if you damaged other components while installing it. Otherwise, you should be okay. Just make sure you tap into the right wires.

Eights-n-Aces · 03-10-2010, 06:49 AM

Sounds unlikely.

FLA 335 · 03-10-2010, 06:53 AM

i'd say its a strecht... but can happen...

David1 · 03-10-2010, 08:27 AM

Well, you know that sticker on the upper right hand corner of the glass that states you better not add any electronic items to the car....... Also, depends on the dealer and if a BMW zone rep is there to look at the car.

diablo2112 · 03-10-2010, 07:34 PM

I hardwired both a GPS and a V1 in my E90. I ran a wire from the roof to the 12V aux outlet in the ashtray. As others have mentionned, electronics in these cars are sensitive; better to use the approved electrical circuits.

250XFOS · 03-15-2010, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

Hi sjg. Sorry to confuse you even further but here are the facts. BMW cannot arbitrarily void the warranty. If you have a problem then they must be able to show that your mod resulted in the failure. Also, even if you did cause a failure, say of the radio, then only the radio warranty would be affected.
There are a lot of unused spaces in the fuse box of a 328. Use one of them. NEVER tap into a wire either to get 12V or ground. Run a hot wire out of a new fuse in the fuse box (they make special fuses with a connector on them just for this purpose), and always run your ground wire to a stand alone ground. In other words, do not share a ground mount with other devices. If your device shorts BMW could claim that your 12v backfed into one of their devices.
There is no reason not to hardwire in a GPS or a radar detector, I've done both. You MUST make sure your bf isn't a hack and does the job right. I have seen many laughable wiring jobs done over the years. How some of them did not start a fire is beyond me.

Hey DSX, one question if you do not mind. I did hardwire my radar detector on my previous 335 coupe, I followed instructions on a post at bimmerfest, scary at first to unscrew the a pillar cover and mess around with an airbag, but it was plain simple if I do it again it woudl take me 10 minutes all in all. but now I have an E93, I was planning to do the same but for my surprise there is no airbag on the A pillar and the cover has no screw to unscrew and the bottom part of the A pillar cover is somewhat tighter than on the E92. Any comments ?. have you or you know who's hardwired on a E93 ?. Thanks

Mannix · 02-11-2015, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twisty Fast Autobahn

Yes for sure. Anything even unrelated stuff can void a warranty. No joke.

Only if they can show that the result of the hardwiring was a factor in the problem.

Douche · 02-11-2015, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mannix

Only if they can show that the result of the hardwiring was a factor in the problem.

Oh, I see what you guys were saying about reviving threads...

This is a perfect example of how to find a thread from 2010 to say something that is utterly WRONG. Why even bother replying to mislead others?

Dealers don't have to "prove" anything. It's been well stated above that they will do whatever the hell they want, and you can sue them if you'd like. Sometimes it costs more to go to litigation than swalling it dry.

What you said is not what is true in a practical way. And BMW Sticks s freaking sticker right in front of your eyes in the windshield trying to protect itself from the liability...

03-09-2010, 06:36 PM	#1
sjg111 Enlisted Member 2 Rep 37 Posts Drives: '08 328i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chapel Hill, NC iTrader: (0)	Will hardwiring a GPS void my warranty? I searched for this, but couldn't find anything specifically pertaining to a GPS. About a month ago, my boyfriend hardwired my GPS under the center console and into the center compartment. It's nice to have less wires showing, but I don't want to keep it hardwired if it somehow affects the warranty.
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03-09-2010, 06:39 PM	#2
deletedelete Major General 363 Rep 5,873 Posts Drives: m Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: usa iTrader: (14) Garage List 2013 e92 M3 [0.00] 2011 e93 M3 (sold) [0.00] 2009 335xi (sold) [0.00]	Yes for sure. Anything even unrelated stuff can void a warranty. No joke. __________________ ---> Click For xi/xDrive Suspension Compatibility List <---
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03-09-2010, 06:51 PM	#4
TommyK Brigadier General 119 Rep 3,325 Posts Drives: E90 335i LCI Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (9) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i LCI [0.00] 2006 E90 330i [0.00]	i wouldnt think it would be an issue. you will only have problems w/ BMW if something breaks that you have messed with. i would keep it the way it is now it you like it. if something breaks. take it our before you get to the dealer. but the interiors on BMW are pretty good, not much breaking happens there. so chances are your car will be out of warranty before something breaks
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03-09-2010, 06:59 PM	#5
stratplaya06 Captain 46 Rep 967 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335xi-SOLD 5.0 Miata Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (10)	100% depends on the dealer. I got a hard time about my v1 hardwire when I had a gauge cluster issue, so I took it out and low and behold it was on the wrong fuse and was pulling too much current! Lessons learned: make sure it's installed properly, and make it easily removable for dealer visits. Those are the two most important concepts in warranty-period modding. __________________ \| PROcede Rev3 \| Vishnu Meth \| DCI \| BMW Perf. Exhaust \| AR Coated/Catless \| CP-E FMIC \| Quaife \|
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03-09-2010, 07:37 PM	#6
DSXMachina If I don't get reincarnated I'm screwed. 1 Rep 196 Posts Drives: E92, 6MT, TiAg, Walnut, Saddle Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Hampsha iTrader: (0)	Hi sjg. Sorry to confuse you even further but here are the facts. BMW cannot arbitrarily void the warranty. If you have a problem then they must be able to show that your mod resulted in the failure. Also, even if you did cause a failure, say of the radio, then only the radio warranty would be affected. There are a lot of unused spaces in the fuse box of a 328. Use one of them. NEVER tap into a wire either to get 12V or ground. Run a hot wire out of a new fuse in the fuse box (they make special fuses with a connector on them just for this purpose), and always run your ground wire to a stand alone ground. In other words, do not share a ground mount with other devices. If your device shorts BMW could claim that your 12v backfed into one of their devices. There is no reason not to hardwire in a GPS or a radar detector, I've done both. You MUST make sure your bf isn't a hack and does the job right. I have seen many laughable wiring jobs done over the years. How some of them did not start a fire is beyond me.
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03-09-2010, 07:40 PM	#7
galahad05 Brigadier General 158 Rep 3,158 Posts Drives: '07 335i e90 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (0)	Yes, it could--not legally per se, but pretty much yes any ways ("warranty denied" -- "what? I'll sue!" -- "good luck with that"). And probably set your car on fire and cause the runflats to bubble. Okay, maybe not that last part. __________________ Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. --Mark Twain
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03-09-2010, 07:56 PM	#9
galahad05 Brigadier General 158 Rep 3,158 Posts Drives: '07 335i e90 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (0)	BMW would be very hard pressed to find fault with that. Still, you could end up working with a prick service guy(s)/dealership, whose pleasure is to give you pain. Pardon my French. __________________ Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. --Mark Twain
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03-09-2010, 10:47 PM	#11
Bimmer This Major General 99 Rep 6,473 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Westminster iTrader: (3)	It actually depends if you damaged other components while installing it. Otherwise, you should be okay. Just make sure you tap into the right wires.
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03-10-2010, 06:49 AM	#12
Eights-n-Aces []D []-[] []_[] []< []\[] []_[] '][' 27 Rep 418 Posts Drives: 335i Convertible/Le Mans Blue/ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Weston, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 335 Convertible [0.00]	Sounds unlikely. __________________ 2010 E93 335i M LeMans Blue 2001 E 46 330ci Coupe/silver/black/Sunroof 1999 BMW R1200C Cruiser-Ivory & Blue
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03-10-2010, 06:53 AM	#13
FLA 335 Captain 24 Rep 746 Posts Drives: 2009 335i (SOLD) !!!!! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Miami Fl iTrader: (7)	i'd say its a strecht... but can happen... __________________ 2009 BMW 335i Sedan / Auto / Paddles / Sport / BMW Assist / Heated seats / JB Matte Black Grill / Tischer First Aid Kit w\Triangle / Tischer Hood Pad / "Custom" rear fog switch <---- SOLD!!!!
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03-10-2010, 08:27 AM	#14
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,953 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	Well, you know that sticker on the upper right hand corner of the glass that states you better not add any electronic items to the car....... Also, depends on the dealer and if a BMW zone rep is there to look at the car. __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
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03-10-2010, 07:34 PM	#15
diablo2112 2024 M440i GC (G26) 279 Rep 511 Posts Drives: 2024 M440i Gran Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (3)	I hardwired both a GPS and a V1 in my E90. I ran a wire from the roof to the 12V aux outlet in the ashtray. As others have mentionned, electronics in these cars are sensitive; better to use the approved electrical circuits.
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