My 08 E60 5 series idrive keeps rebooting in a loop and I can't get to play music or have access to the car's computer. Sometimes when I disconnect the Head up display, and wait for some minutes before reconnecting it boots and operates well, but could also resume rebooting in a loop as soon as I turn off ignition for few minutes.

And I also get the SOS malfunction light. Bought the fiber optic loop and installed but no success. It appears the Sirius satellite module was removed by previous owner as the device is not in its position, only the cable harnesses.

Thank you for sharing! What I figured out while going to the dealer is that this problem is a widely known problem and the major issue is its battery that runs the system. Because the system work independent so it uses a battery to run itself meaning it will die sooner than you expect and hence the SOS malfunction. It's been well over 2 months but yet they haven't been able to get hold of batteries to install them again. Till then there is no real solution to it 🤷‍♂️ Off lately, the SOS feature starts working on somedays. No obvious reason why. Will update when I reach a solution.

@@MisterMZEECars That's a bummer!

I changed my stock stereo to a new aftermarket stereo then sos came up. Can I bypass this or should I code it out ?

Brace up. More people are coming to bash this comment thread because you put logic into the conversation 🫠

Too much talking! You'd better talk to an expert and he will tell you that the battery of the system needs to be replaced every 5 years... 60 euro costs the battery and/or amplifier and almost 200 euro will be the work for this replacement! BTW, your voice is so annoying that you should be forbidden by KZfaq... you gotta work on your accent, I only hear "tatat, tatat tatataa tatata quoin tatata"

@@ivandan1174 That’s seriously racist - you need to watch yourself because as it stands it is you who is more likely to be ‘forbidden’ by KZfaq. Guess when you speak in a second language your accent is perfect - bet it isn’t.

USB, Bluetooth and heads up shouldn't stop working due to SOS error.

So they replaced a battery inside the control unit for the emergency system. That battery basically powers the SOS system independent from the cars battery. It's a wide spread problem in the BMW but the only issue is those batteries may sometime take time to be sourced.

@@MisterMZEECars i have an X1 drive18d - 2018 - we are also getting this prompt. was it expensive to change the battery then? its quite worrying to think that after just 2 years the battery has a problem so soon?

It is pretty weird but the reason it drains so quickly is that it does not charge using the cars systems plus it is being used all the time even when the car is switched off. Hence the replacement will be needed more frequently. Usually if your car is covered under warranty BMW will fix it for you without a charge or in many occasions it knows this problem exists which is why they replace it for free. It's a pretty small battery size wise. Another issue that crops up is that the dealers are usually out of these batteries so they wait for the next batch to arrive and then would replace it for you. I had to wait for good 2 months before they got the next batch of batteries after which I was put in the list to replace. Hope this helps. Cheers!

@@MisterMZEECars thanks so much for your insight on this. Let’s hope they don’t charge us if it has to be replaced . I will also mention that this seems to be a general issue although usually bmw (depending on the service station) are good with their customers. But that’s the way it should be. Love bmw but the service is always expensive!!!

Yeah they are pretty supportive otherwise. It isnt going to be very expensive.

So in order to fix this. You can either go to the BMW workshop and ask them to check the system. The major reason is a battery which powers the SOS system. That runs flat and causes the malfunction. The BMW dealer will be able to replace this for you to solve the issue.

Nope. My car was under warranty so got it fixed for free.

To be honest there is no way to ensure it doesnt run out. Unless they introduce batteries that can self charge themselves using the cars charging system then it wouldnt have that error. Otherwise every now and then expect to keep replacing the battery when it runs of juice.

So the 3 series seem to be having a majority of the chunk of the SOS problems. The same happens with my car too. The chimes and warnings keep popping up and disappear only to reappear again. The real solution to this is the battery that powers the SOS system. The batteries are put so that even if the car goes through an accident or the car is not switched on, the SOS system would still be able to call for the assistance. These batteries seem to be having the life in days. So when they are drained completely, it triggers this warning of SOS system malfunctioning. I have been in waiting list from BMW here locally to get the battery replaced. The batteries for this system are in short supply. Plus, the current situations have made it even more difficult to procure locally. My best advise would be to go the BMW and ask them to give your SOS system a check and if any parts are needed then let them arrange it. Till then, all we can do is wait for it to arrive and be replaced. Hope this helps. Cheers!

Mr MZEE Cars ahh okay. I wonder why they made it like this? So overall I shouldn’t worry about it popping up? It is very annoying for sure but it’s a not a problem I need to address right away? Yes with the current situation it is hard to get to a dealership.

It's not a serious problem nor would it hamper the working of the car or its system in anyway. Only annoying thing you mentioned which is it keeps popping up from time to time and just block all the information in the dashboard with that warning.

I have a ‘08 e92 and I got a “SOS Malfunction” error after installing a brand new battery. I never had this error pop up.