I'm describing the chiming of the Mini's alert sounds (ie... mini "tones.")

Does anyone know if it's possible to re-program those sounds via something like a custom tuning option? Is it possible to expose those values in a device that can make some sense of the code?

Are they actually stored in an audio format of some kind?

Just musing on how it might be cool to change the audio feedback in my mini to something I program myself or supply.

 

The "Gong" as it is called is part of the central computer and as such can nto be palyed with. What format (mp3, wav, etc) they are in is anybodies guess. Access to the programing and language is also very tigthly controled by BMW/MINI and is thus not avaliable to the dealers or customers.

I know of know one and have nto read anywhere that anyone has hacked this kind of stuff.

 

I would love a "Hey stupid you left the lights on!" tone.

Of course it would have to be in my wife's voice so I get to hear her sweet voice in my car even if I'm alone.

Seriously, that would be a really cool personalization option. I hope someone finds a hack or they develop it in future cars. Imagine the personalization of the horn...what fun we would have.

 

Well.. the horn is a true "acoustic" instrument in the sense that its not a speaker of any kind. Just pushes air the odl fashioned way to produce it's tone.

That's interesting, so the main "core" of their code is in a separate language than the ECU itself?

 

I don't think that was ever said or eluted to. I think that schatzy was just saying that we don't know where the tones are stored nor what computer they are called from.

 

The ECU (Engine Control Unit) and the CCC Central Car Computer are two completely separate units. BTW there are also other separate computer modules in the car for other functions, but these all connect back t the CCC. The CCC and the ECU do communicate but at a very low level.

Now as for the actual Programing Language I am not sure if they are the same or not. But there is now way to get to the CCC programing to make changes. Even the dealership has very special procedures to run thru to do upgrades, and they take long periods of time to do.

 

ic, thanks Schatzy. That's really interesting information.

 

Wow, that sounds like a challenge.....If it's been engineered, it can be reverse engineered. Too bad I have a day job and also periodically require sleep.