How to use NCS Expert for BMW E60 E61 CIC retrofit coding

Tools required:
1 small flat blade screwdriver
1 philips screwdriver
1 trim prying tool (I used the flat blade of a small hammer, see step 2)
1 Torx bit, size 10.

It is advisable but not essential to disconnect the battery to prevent any shorting and fuses blowing when you replace the CID plug in Step 11.

Step 1
Place some tape along edges where you are required to pull trim apart in order to protect the leather.

Step 2
Carefully pry the edge of the decorative trim towards the rear of the car. Work along the strip towards the steering wheel and prise all 5 lugs to release the strip.

Step 3
Push the silver clips on the rear of the Hazard light/door lock switch to release it from the trim and remove the plug and switch.

Step 4
Undo the 2 Philips screws (arrowed) and pull the heater controls towards the rear of the car slowly, there are two lugs on the bottom of the trim. Pull out the 2 plugs and remove the heater control facia.

Step 5
Pull the cubby hole trim towards the rear of the car and unplug the supply to the PDC, Heated seats and DTC (2 plugs). Please note the ashtray is already removed in this photo as I forgot to take a photo first time so put the trim back on to take a photo.

Using a small flat blade screwdriver gently lift the 4 catches individually whilst pushing the switch from the front of the trim to the rear. Do this for both switches.

Step 6
To give more room for movement remove the ashtray by undoing the 2 holding screws (arrowed) and unplugging the rear plug/socket.

Step 7
Remove the 2 screws (arrowed) that hold the HU in place.

Step 8
Carefully pull HU rearwards and unplug Screen(silver), GPS (Blue), Antenna (black) and main (Big Black) plugs. This main plug is the same as the one fitted to the CIC so will be re-used, whereas on the CCC retrofit it has to be changed.

Step 9
Remove the two screws (arrowed) holding the screen in using a size 10 torx bit.

Carefully pull the top of the screen down slightly and pull the screen rearwards. Remove the display lead and power cable.

Step 10
The plug needs to be taken apart to reveal the pins in order to fit the new plug. Using a small flat blade screwdriver or point, slightly pry the parts of the plug apart and remove the inner plug.

Step 11
Remove the pins using a small screwdriver to press down and push back, they may get caught on the back of the plug and will need to be pressed again. Insert pins into the new plug using pins 1 (Red), 3 (Brown/Black),5 (Black),6 (Yellow). This is why it is recommended to disconnect the battery as my pins touched and blew a fuse.

Step 12
Route the new CID cable from the screen aperture down to the CIC HU aperture via the “passage” to the passenger’s side. The darker of the 2 connectors is to be at the top as this end has the extra padding/protection around the cable. Plug cable and power plug into the screen, fold the old screen connector out of the way and reinsert the screen and do up the 2 holding screws.

Step 13
In order to fit the USB socket and cable it is best to remove the glovebox by undoing the Philips screws holding it in at the top and the 4 on the bottom of the glovebox at the top of the footwell where it meets the plastic trim. I didn’t take it right out as I managed to get the cable round and through the hole. Pop out the blanking plate on the right hand side of the glovebox and feed the new USB cable through. Plug in and push the USB into the slot. The USB/AUX socket pictured is not the correct one for the job as explained earlier. Here you only need the USB socket not AUX. Refit glovebox.

Step 14
Connect all plugs to the back of the CIC unit.
Blue = GPS
Black = AM/FM Antenna
Purple = Screen/CID
Cream – USB
Main plug

Step 15
Slowly push the CIC into to hole ensuring that all cables are pushed out of the way and then screw back in using the 2 screw holes where the MASK was secured.

It is best to test that there is power and the screen comes on at this point, so reconnect the battery if you had disconnected it. I had radio but no screen when I did this. I had popped fuse 79 in the boot space fuse panel after allowing the pins to come into contact during step 11. Replaced the fuse and it powered up. As expected the Navigation was greyed out but all other functions were available, even the music stored on the hard drive.

Now with the CIC in place and proven it is time to start putting everything back together.

Step 16
Refit the ashtray

Step 17
Take the new trim and refit the switches that were removed from the old cubby hold trim by gently pushing them into the slots. Plug in and fit the trim using the locating lugs. Note the loss of the cubby hole.

Step 18
Reconnect the plugs for the heater control panel and refit ensuring the 2 Philips screws are nipped up, not too tight or it will crack the plastic.