Voice recognition

[1C00lVC]

Based on some of the information posted on this forum, I thought I'd try to install the new voice recognition module in my 2001 M5. It works even if you don't have a BMW cell phone installed -- but is able to control the navigation system hands free.
The trick is to also install the missing microphone near the rearview mirror -- which normally comes as part of the BMW phone installation kit. (I "borrowed" the mic out of my E39 540i phone system as a temporary measure to prove that this works.)

Here's what to do:

1. Order the following parts:

84 41 6 913 352 Voice recognition module ($300.00)
(note that this model number supersedes the one posted earlier in this forum)
84 13 8 384 866 Mounting bracket ($31.13)
07 12 9 946 304 Nuts (make sure you order four of these). ($.44 each)
84 31 8 380 338 Microphone
(I'm not sure what this costs yet, again since I borrowed this from my 540i).

As of last week, my dealer claimed that BMW has roughly 70 voice recognition modules in stock in their CA warehouse.

Note that NO INSTRUCTIONS are provided, but you really don't need any -- see below.

2. The module physical install went pretty smoothly, since the module and bracket only mount one way, in the trunk right behind the CD changer. The hardest part was reaching your hand in there to put on and tighten the nuts.

3. The single electrical connection required is to plug in the light BLUE connector of the wiring harness into the BLUE connector of the voice recognition module (pretty simple, huh?). The wiring harness cabling is coiled up to prevent rattles, so you'll have to cut a wire tie and one piece of electrical tape so that you can pull it out enough to reach the voice recognition module. But anyone should be able to do this -- no special skills are required.

NOTE that this BLUE wiring harness plug only exists on E39 5-series BMWs produced 1/00 or later, so very early M5 owners unfortunately won't be able to install the voice recognition module in their cars.

4. To test the module operation, just turn on the ignition to the first accessory position, and hold down the button on the steering wheel with the "voice speaking" icon until you hear a beep. The dashboard computer will then display a message VOICE RECOGNITION, followed by SYSTEM OFF after a few seconds.

5. Install the microphone in the car interior by prying out the panel in the headliner that contains the sunroof switch, garage door opener switches (optional on 2000 model M5s), and the empty grill that holds the microphone. Use any flat-bladed screwdriver to pry out the panel -- don't worry, you're not likely to break anything. There's a little BLACK 3-wire/conductor plug in the wiring harness that is for the microphone. Plug in the mike, stick it to the inside of the microphone grill, and snap everything back together. This is about a 5-minute operation.

6. To operate the system, again press the voice icon button on the steering wheel until you hear a beep and see VOICE RECOGNITION in the dashboard display, and then say "Help Navigation." A female voice (different from the navigation voice) will then proceed to recite a long list of voice commands to control the navigation system. You can do the same thing and say "Help Phone" to get the phone system commands, even if you don't have a phone.

Have fun...This should decrease the chances of having an accident while playing with the navigation system.

- Dave

P.S. I don't yet know what the microphone costs, since I just tried this today. I will attempt to order a mic after the Monday holiday -- hopefully BMW will let me order the mic separately from the CPT-7000 phone install kit (which is where I got the microphone part number). I'll let people know what happens.

[1C00lVC]

Today I visited my local BMW dealer parts department and bought the missing microphone for the headliner (remember, I don't have the phone kit installed in my 2001 M5), so I've now been able to play a bit with the voice recognition system.
If you just say "HELP," the system mentions that there are 3 help commands:
HELP NAVIGATON
HELP PHONE
HELP NOTEPAD

Unfortunately I can't seem to find reference to anything that works the stereo or DSP.

Below is a list of all the commands mentioned by the HELP commands:

Help NAVIGATION:

Route map
Navigation
Scale 400 feet
Scale 800 feet
Scale one quarter of a mile
Scale half a mile
Scale one mile
Scale two point five mile
Scale five mile
Scale ten mile
Scale twenty-five miles
Scale fifty miles
Hotels as current location
Parking lot as current location
Restaurant as current location
Gas station as current location
Hotels at destination
Parking lot at destination
Restaurant at destination
Gas station at destination
Save current position
New route
Instruction
Instruction off

Help PHONE:

Dial number
Dial name
Add name
Delete name
Play phonebook
Clear phonebook
Redial

Help NOTEPAD:

Record note
Play notepad
Clear notepad

Most of these are pretty straightforward to understand, but a few observations:

- The NAVIGATION command is lame in that you still get the legal disclaimer screen and have to push the knob to acknowledge "OK" to proceed.

- The Notepad-related commands will let you store multiple notes in the order in which you recorded them, sort of like a tape-based answering machine. CLEAR NOTEPAD wipes out all of the notes you've recorded.

- As you would expect without a phone kit installed, all of the PHONE commands are recognized, but then ask me to connect a phone.

- I haven't figured out what INSTRUCTION or INSTRUCTION OFF do. I suspect (hope?) that they are the key to really unlocking the functionality of the voice recognition module.

Has anyone figured out how the INSTRUCTION commands work? If not, I'll try experimenting with them some more in the next few days.
- Dave

[1C00lVC]

I've made a web page documenting the process. I hope flyM5 won't mind my reposting his comments and Kevin Smith's picture of the install. I did take 2 pictures of the blue connector and its general location next to the nav cd holder.
Voice Recognition Install Summary

I have a 2001 530i with the nav and am interested in doing the same mods.

Does anybody know if Pacific BMW have lower prices on the parts required?

thanks
arnolds

[chuckuzzo]

Any chance you can post the link to the webpage?

Thanks,

Chuck

[mola]

Originally posted by chuckuzzo
Any chance you can post the link to the webpage?

Thanks,

Chuck

This isn't 1C00lVC 's web page but it's the same info documented by someone a while back.

Very detailed with pictures and install tips.


http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/t...ecognition.htm