BMW X3 Service & Repair Manual: Removing and installing/replacing rdc wheel electronics (2nd generation/3rd generation)

IMPORTANT: Before removing and installing, check which generation of RDC wheel electronics module is installed! If the wheel electronics have been removed, the complete valve must be replaced.

NOTE: There are two different wheel electronics. The SP303 wheel electronics module must be used with RDC-01 and RDC-02 from model year 03/06.

The Gen3 wheel electronics must be used with the RDC-LC from model year 09/2010 (all F0x/F1x vehicles).

If a tire sealant has been used, replace the wheel electronics.

When a tire has been removed, do not clean the rim with installed wheel electronics with high-pressure cleaning equipment.

Before the installation of new wheel electronics with valve, thoroughly clean the valve bore of the wheel rim.

Do not treat wheel electronics with solvents, cleaning agents etc. If dirt contamination, wipe with a clean cloth only.

Do not clean wheel electronics with compressed air.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

• REMOVE TIRE

Labelling of generation 2.3 wheel electronics

1. Transmission frequency of wheel electronics
2. Large Torx socket screw
3. BMW part number
4. Tightening torque of Torx screw and union nut
5. Width across flats of union nut
6. Serial number of wheel electronics
7. Production date of wheel electronics

Labelling of generation 2.4 and 3.3 wheel electronics

1. Data Matrixcode
2. BMW part number
3. FCC ID = radio authorization
4. Wheel electronics ID
5. Transmission frequency
6. Pressure sensor
7. Production date of wheel electronics
8. Tightening torque
9. Width across flats of union nut

Labelling of generation 3.4/3.41 wheel electronics

1. FCC ID = radio authorization
2. Tightening torque
3. Pressure sensor
4. Data Matrixcode
5. Production date of wheel electronics
6. Transmission frequency
7. Wheel electronics ID
8. Width across flats of union nut
9. BMW part number

NOTE: The following illustrations only show removal and refitting of the 3rd generation wheel electronics module. The instructions also apply without alteration to the 2nd generation wheel electronics.

Removing wheel electronics

Release union nut (1).

Remove wheel electronics and valve (1) from valve hole.

Using suitable pliers (2), unscrew valve (1) from the thread of the square-head bolt (3), while holding the wheel electronics module (4) firm. Completely unscrew valve (1).

Remove square head screw from fixture for wheel electronics module.

Installation note:

The valve must be renewed! Failure to replace the part leads to leaks!

IMPORTANT: Before the installation of new wheel electronics with valve, thoroughly clean the valve bore of the wheel rim! Also make sure that the valve bore is free of burrs

Installing wheel electronics

Insert new square-head bolt (1) in wheel electronics module (2).

Screw single-use valve insert (3) three turns onto square-head bolt (1).

NOTE: Make sure the square bolt head (1) fits exactly in the fixture for the wheel electronics module!

Insert valve insert with wheel electronics into cleaned valve bore.

Both outer feet on the underside of the wheel electronics module must be resting against the rim wall.

Screw on union nut (1) by hand as far as it will go.

Tighten union nut until the inner strip-off ring breaks. Breakage is perceptible audibly and tangibly (momentary drop in torque resistance).

Then fully tighten union nut (1).

IMPORTANT: Fixing must not under any circumstances be retightened! The square-head bolt should be located precisely in the wheel electronics module fixture.

After tightening, the wheel electronics module must fit snugly on the wheel rim!