Auto dimming dash w/tinted windows - any workaround?

Travisbach2381 · 08-18-2022, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xBender

Is the consensus that ceramic tint has a high probability to be a problem compared to standard tint?

Not sure about tint type, I have ceramic brow and front windows 5%, 20% on moon roof = to 5% with factory tint and front windshield clear ceramic. The rest is factory with clear over it. I haven't noticed a difference in brightness from before or after tint. I always thought it was a little dim to begin from the dealer with no tint. By the way I live in Florida sunny most of the time.

kmac03 · 08-29-2022, 12:29 PM

Have a 23 x30i and just got XPEL 20% and am having the dimming issue.

Besides Bimmercode, has a solution ever been found?

PREDATOR 007 · 09-24-2022, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xBender

Is the consensus that ceramic tint has a higher probability to cause a problem compared to standard tint?

I had ceramic on my windows and had it replaced yesterday with non ceramic and still the same dimming problem.

dmanb2b · 09-24-2022, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmac03

Have a 23 x30i and just got XPEL 20% and am having the dimming issue.

Besides Bimmercode, has a solution ever been found?

Is bimmercode a solution...I have it so would love to know if so

popeye0777 · 09-24-2022, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmanb2b

Is bimmercode a solution...I have it so would love to know if so

From my experience the Bimmercode fix for this no longer works on ID7.

dmanb2b · 09-24-2022, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popeye0777

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmanb2b

Is bimmercode a solution...I have it so would love to know if so

From my experience the Bimmercode fix for this no longer works on ID7.

So there is hope…I'm on id6

JDS · 09-25-2022, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spta97

Correct - and did mention that above.

The HUD was one of my primary wants with this car but alas, I rarely use it because I wear polarized sun glasses and can't see it. Also, it does not display CarPlay info so it is pretty useless to me.

Don't forget you can use the rotate function of the HUD to help offset some of the polarisation impact... It doens't work perfectly, but can help.

Eric SS · 10-19-2022, 04:28 PM

I just wanted to add my experience to this thread. I have not had any dash dimming issues from my tint in case others wanted to try and replicate it. Nano-Ceramic Madico Film:

35% front side windows
45% all rear side and lift gate windows
70% windshield with a 5" 5% visor
45% on the roof panels

TacosRule! · 11-15-2022, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric SS

I just wanted to add my experience to this thread. I have not had any dash dimming issues from my tint in case others wanted to try and replicate it. Nano-Ceramic Madico Film:

35% front side windows
45% all rear side and lift gate windows
70% windshield with a 5" 5% visor
45% on the roof panels

I had to had the front windows redone, so they were redone with xpel xr 35%, added the front windshield 75% xpel xr and left the rear windows with whatever the car came with.

I started having the dimming issue. It can get aggravating at times.

g01_jon · 11-15-2022, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saabster2010

I had to had the front windows redone, so they were redone with xpel xr 35%, added the front windshield 75% xpel xr and left the rear windows with whatever the car came with.

I started having the dimming issue. It can get aggravating at times.

Yeah it def sucks. My dad has an M550 and said he didn't have any issues. I went over there and without him knowing took my phone flashlight and pointed it at the left side of the cluster. It's very dim during the day and probably at like 30% if I had to guess. I think everyone with tint is going to have this issue, but if you don't think you do then don't test for it!

herndon6911@gmail.com · 04-09-2023, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spta97

You can fix the control screen through bimmercode. I think I put the instructions in the thread.

Do not count on a fix - BMW rarely does that.

I was ready to file a complaint with the NTHSA as it is flat out dangerous as it can be impossible to see the backup camera on very sunny days. Last thing you need is a kid on a bike to zoom into your path and you can't see them.

But, fixing the control screen calmed me down.

Edit - A few pages up but here you go:

Bimmercode Instructions
These were the instructions I used (modified) which I believe Kevin on the Supra MKV forum posted so credit to him:

1- start bimmercode app and connect and select BMW for car
2- select BMW X3/X3M (or X4/X4M)
3- select Headunit
4- select Expert Mode at top
5- select 3005 DISPLAY_PIP_CONFIG
6- scroll WAY down and select DIM_VARIANT (or search)
7- change setting from NEW to OLD
8- click OK.
9- Then backup on screens to the HEADUnit ECU screen.
10- select CODE at top right. Accept risk and let it do its thing.

It will wipe out the 8 hot keys so you will need to remember what you set them to. This will enable the Brightness control to be used during Daytime. It will now say Brightness versus Brightness during Nighttime. If the dealer ever does a ECU flash you will have to redo this,

Edit 2 - I reread your post, specifically that it was not totally dark. I cannot say mine was black but with sun glasses on a sunny day it was nearly unreadable.

For a long time when I first got the car I thought it was my imagination (or vision going bad) but then realized it is a design flaw.

Once you make the change in Bimmercode it will be shockingly bright. So much so it might be too bright at night but I quickly adjusted.

brand new to the bmw world. im having the same issue on my 2017 750i. what is bimmercode and how do i get in to change it? do i need a machine or cable? or take it somewhere or can my bmw app help or is it another app

also i dont think my 750 has remote start, how can i add that with oem parts or code. my master remote starts it up when using the control to move the vehicle on its on without me in it.

spta97 · 04-09-2023, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herndon6911@gmail.com

brand new to the bmw world. im having the same issue on my 2017 750i. what is bimmercode and how do i get in to change it? do i need a machine or cable? or take it somewhere or can my bmw app help or is it another app

also i dont think my 750 has remote start, how can i add that with oem parts or code. my master remote starts it up when using the control to move the vehicle on its on without me in it.

Bimmercode is a 3rd party app on the Apple App Store. You will need a dongle that plugs in from your phone to the ODBII port or a bluetooth adapter.

There is an updated thread which claims to resolve the cluster dimming as well: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...g#post29831973

herndon6911@gmail.com · 04-09-2023, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spta97

Bimmercode is a 3rd party app on the Apple App Store. You will need a dongle that plugs in from your phone to the ODBII port or a bluetooth adapter.

There is an updated thread which claims to resolve the cluster dimming as well: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...g#post29831973

thanks for the quick response! what about remote start do i have to have something in the car to do it or is it more like coding or in the settings i need to activate? mine doesnt have a remote start sign on the remote. im reading like they all do and i can start it with the big digital display remote... any idea?

spta97 · 04-09-2023, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herndon6911@gmail.com

thanks for the quick response! what about remote start do i have to have something in the car to do it or is it more like coding or in the settings i need to activate? mine doesnt have a remote start sign on the remote. im reading like they all do and i can start it with the big digital display remote... any idea?

I would check the 7 series forum for a better response. However, I am not aware that BMW offered remote start in 2017 - I am only aware of it being available for ID7 vehicles.

thefilipaneseboy · 06-19-2024, 09:24 PM

Wanted to provide my experience as I recently got ceramic tint and was really torn between getting it and experiencing the dimming issue.

Opted to go through with the tint as the pros from that (heat rejection, visual appearance, etc) outweighed the cons of the dimming dash.

Ultimately I am experiencing the dimming issue and can’t consistently find a pattern yet on when it happens. It is definitely noticeable but IMO bearable for me. Honestly I ended up buying a USB charged mini book light to clip onto the driver side AC vent as the simplest remedy. I do live in SoCal

Llumar CTX 15% front, 35% rear, and Llumar Air80 windshield.

565565 · 07-05-2024, 05:51 PM

Anyone else notice that this has magically solved itself?

My LCI had mimimal dimming issues at all but I could make it happen if I covered the sensor. Now it doesnt dim at all in daylight, I can cover the sensor completely and the infotainment and instrument panel remain completely bright.

JABCAT · 07-10-2024, 12:19 PM

We've had 20% ceramic all around & never experienced any dash dimming issues.

08-29-2022, 12:29 PM	#90
kmac03 Private 28 Rep 83 Posts Drives: BMW X3 Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	Have a 23 x30i and just got XPEL 20% and am having the dimming issue. Besides Bimmercode, has a solution ever been found?
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10-19-2022, 04:28 PM	#96
Eric SS Lieutenant 202 Rep 468 Posts Drives: 2016 Chevy SS Sedan Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Phoenix iTrader: (0)	I just wanted to add my experience to this thread. I have not had any dash dimming issues from my tint in case others wanted to try and replicate it. Nano-Ceramic Madico Film: 35% front side windows 45% all rear side and lift gate windows 70% windshield with a 5" 5% visor 45% on the roof panels __________________ 2011 335is Black/Oyster. 1 of 46 without moonroof (total of all years): JB4 E50 tune, gone 2013 335i M Sport JB4: Estoril Blue gone 2018 M4 ZCP: current 2023 X3M Comp: current
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06-19-2024, 09:24 PM	#103
thefilipaneseboy Second Lieutenant 62 Rep 233 Posts Drives: 2018 MG F80 ZCP Join Date: May 2020 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Wanted to provide my experience as I recently got ceramic tint and was really torn between getting it and experiencing the dimming issue. Opted to go through with the tint as the pros from that (heat rejection, visual appearance, etc) outweighed the cons of the dimming dash. Ultimately I am experiencing the dimming issue and can’t consistently find a pattern yet on when it happens. It is definitely noticeable but IMO bearable for me. Honestly I ended up buying a USB charged mini book light to clip onto the driver side AC vent as the simplest remedy. I do live in SoCal Llumar CTX 15% front, 35% rear, and Llumar Air80 windshield. Attached Images
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07-05-2024, 05:51 PM	#104
565565 Private 84 Rep 50 Posts Drives: X3M comp Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: North east iTrader: (0)	Anyone else notice that this has magically solved itself? My LCI had mimimal dimming issues at all but I could make it happen if I covered the sensor. Now it doesnt dim at all in daylight, I can cover the sensor completely and the infotainment and instrument panel remain completely bright.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-10-2024, 12:19 PM	#105
JABCAT Professor 3649 Rep 2,553 Posts Drives: '23 M2 & '22 X3 M Competition Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Prosper, TX/Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	We've had 20% ceramic all around & never experienced any dash dimming issues. Attached Images __________________ Her's: '22 X3 M Competition, Marina Bay Blue, Tartufo full Merino interior. His: '23 M2, Toronto Red Metallic, M highlight interior. '11 Callaway SC652 Carbon Edition Corvette Z06. Inferno Orange Metallic. 1 of 3.
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