[Pro55]

Not a good day today. I now have all the front buttons on the I drive controller not working. The rear ones are all fine as are the adaptive/sport setting buttons etc.
Does anyone have details of how to remove the i drive control wheel and the panel that surrounds it. It may not work by cleaning but i would like to give it a try. Many Thanks.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by Pro55

Not a good day today. I now have all the front buttons on the I drive controller not working. The rear ones are all fine as are the adaptive/sport setting buttons etc.
Does anyone have details of how to remove the i drive control wheel and the panel that surrounds it. It may not work by cleaning but i would like to give it a try. Many Thanks.

Here are a few bits of info that may help depending on how far you need to take things apart. Below the videos you'll find a link to a pdf showing how to remove the center console.

.

[claykin]

Did that coffee have sugar or cream/milk added? Hope not.

You can try using compressed air on the iDrive controller to see if you can extract the liquid and restore button functionality. You may need to wait a day or two to allow the embedded liquid to dry.

[Pro55]

Well it now gets worse. Got drivetrain fault on the way home and now says transmission not available so could be a tow to the garage. Ive got the engine running with the heat on full to try and dry it out. Currently undriveable.

[Auricom]

There maybe a way to pop the iDrive unit as whole but the control panel is one unit - with separate modules for iDrive (unfortunately no part number), ZOR Off-Road and Air Suspension.

If it went all over the panel, there other cascading issues that'll surface.

[Pro55]

Thanks for the info. The latest is the transmission is locked. Looks like it might be an expensive repair. Plus they are going to have to manual lockout the transmission to tow it.

[biterror]

Not a very good design.. putting the cup holders next to sensitive electronics and not protecting the electronics from spilled drinks.

[Pro55]

Does anyone know if they towing companies are able to lockout the transmission manually or does it need a specialised tool that only bmw have? Many thanks

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by Pro55

Thanks for the info. The latest is the transmission is locked. Looks like it might be an expensive repair. Plus they are going to have to manual lockout the transmission to tow it.

Why don't you just remove the center console and clean it? Chances are that is all you need.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Why don't you just remove the center console and clean it? Chances are that is all you need.

cleaning won't repair any shorts where electricity arced and damaged circuitry.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

cleaning won't repair any shorts where electricity arced and damaged circuitry.

I highly doubt that happened and switch gear uses very little current and its easy to remove the console, inspect and clean as opposed to the ordeal that is happening now

[dnd2984]

sorry to revive old thread, any updates Pro55

[Flying Ace]

I think, time to sell car at profit

[Pro55]

The end result was an insurance claim. Cost nearly £2000.
Had to replace 2 modules that were damaged. I’m obviously very careful now with drinks. All works fine since.
Would be a better design if the cup holders were in a different position.

[rmorin1249]

I guess the Germans were right when they delayed putting cup holders in their cars. If it wasn't for the North American market perhaps they wouldn't be there now.

Seriously, I am sorry for the OP's experience. I am guilty of buying an XL cup of coffee and putting it in my cup holder especially now with them being heated, HA HA. I always keep the lid on but that doesn't completely eliminate the risk of spillage. I hope you can get your car fixed without spending a fortune.

[SmartSaves]

Keeping important electrical circuitry under cup holders is poor design decision by BMW engineers. What were they thinking when they decided to keep airbag related wires under the cup holders ?!? Obviously lawsuit ensued:

https://www.motor1.com/news/555449/b...sign-flaw/amp/

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

Keeping important electrical circuitry under cup holders is poor design decision by BMW engineers. What were they thinking when they decided to keep airbag related wires under the cup holders ?!? Obviously lawsuit ensued:

https://www.motor1.com/news/555449/b...sign-flaw/amp/

We are just beginning this issue. If liquid spill just shorted out the windows that would be brushed under the rug. With airbags being compromised, the NTSB will have to be involved forcing BMW's hand in a retro fix for ALL their vehicles. BMW's strategy in issues like this over the decade is to lay back in their standard "Plausible Deniability". They cant do that now the NTSB is involved.

Its not just BMW. I have been with Porsche for over 30 years and they are just as slimy but tend to have a better damage control team. Porsche's IMS issue with the 996 and Boxster screwed over thousands with vehicles that were worthless from engine failures. There is no social media spin to justify or lighten how ugly Porsche treated their customer with this.

[goobies818]

Originally Posted by rmorin1249

I guess the Germans were right when they delayed putting cup holders in their cars. If it wasn't for the North American market perhaps they wouldn't be there now.

Seriously, I am sorry for the OP's experience. I am guilty of buying an XL cup of coffee and putting it in my cup holder especially now with them being heated, HA HA. I always keep the lid on but that doesn't completely eliminate the risk of spillage. I hope you can get your car fixed without spending a fortune.

I remember the days when cupholders were literally an afterthought for Porsche and Bmw
I recall my e90 had them coming out of the dashboard…which I believe Porsche had similar designs back then

I banged my knee on it a number of times…but never broke it favorably

[timmahh]

I know it's resolved now, but for future reference:

-iDrive controller is an independent module screwed into the center stack. It is separately replaceable and has a dedicated connector.

-Downhill ascent control (if equipped) also has a separate connector if I recall correctly.

-Air suspension (I don't have it): I will assume also has its own connector, as like downhill control it's an "add on" to the center stack.

-All other functions, including the gear selector, share a main controller/connector. Transmission selections, drive mode, parking/camera activation, parking brake, all use one connection.

[Aimster82]

wow ... so I bought a used 3 series and all the buttons stuck. I didn't have any driving issues but someone spilled something red and sticky all over.

I waited for a hot sunny day (sticky residue was liquid not hard because of the sun/heat) and used an entire can of this:

https://www.amazon.com/Specialist-El...s%2C85&sr=8-14

Your issue is definitely more serious, but in the future if it is just sticky buttons that spray works.

[sharkymcpeterson]

Originally Posted by Aimster82

wow ... so I bought a used 3 series and all the buttons stuck. I didn't have any driving issues but someone spilled something red and sticky all over.

I waited for a hot sunny day (sticky residue was liquid not hard because of the sun/heat) and used an entire can of this:

https://www.amazon.com/Specialist-El...85&sr=8-14

Your issue is definitely more serious, but in the future if it is just sticky buttons that spray works.

Can you give a little detail on how you applied and cleaned up afterwards. I have a similar issue. Bought a used x5 and there was obviously something sticky spilled at some point in the past that got down either beside or under the buttons. Would love to find a fix. Everything works fine and want to keep it that way but if I can fix the sticky buttons I'd love to.

[Aimster82]

Originally Posted by sharkymcpeterson

Can you give a little detail on how you applied and cleaned up afterwards. I have a similar issue. Bought a used x5 and there was obviously something sticky spilled at some point in the past that got down either beside or under the buttons. Would love to find a fix. Everything works fine and want to keep it that way but if I can fix the sticky buttons I'd love to.

Leave the car out in the sun on a hot summer day. This will 'melt' whatever is sticking. Get a bunch of paper and stick it under the buttons and it will start to collect the sticky substance. Apply the spray and continue to use the paper to collect the sticky substance. It will eventually all be collected. The liquid in the spray will not damage anything.

Took me several days of doing this to collect everything.