[335ISblk]

hey guys,

Issue with the standard HD radio on bmw 335IS. This is NOT a harmon kardon system.

I got into the car yesterday and noticed that when I turned the radio on (radio and cd player) that there was no sound coming from the speakers, but the display showed radio stations and CD tracks. I played with it for like 10 minutes thinking I hit something by accident, but I didn't. I then began driving and within a few mins later it came on really loud presumably from where the knob was left. I toggled though CD and radio and both worked, however, CD volume was very low compared to the radio. Later that day I turned the car on again to find no volume once more. The radio eventually came on, but went in and out several times whilst dipping in volume before staying stable for 30 minutes.

I did some research and it seems like a lot of people get this issue, but no one has a real solution. Happen to anyone who was able to fix? VERY frustrating as the car came out of warranty on the 18th of June. So fking typical.

Thanks



EDIT: Still doing this days later. Radio comes on eventually maybe 20-30 mins then goes out. Someones in and out within minutes

[ctuna]

Check the battery first.

The BMW IBS system can turn stuff off if it thinks there is a low
charge on the battery. Read the first electrical pdf with regards to IBS.

Your battery is low so it limits what can be turned on then you start driving and put a little charge on your battery and it allows
the stereo to come back on .
This is the first thing to check.

You could try putting a full charge on the battery to see if this goes away. These cars are noted battery hogs and if you don't
use it a lot or it sits around you need a battery tender.

So which system is it.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447

Seems unrelated but did this car get the Battery Cable recall ?
Usually that causes everything on the dash to go out and the car
not to start though.


electical e90 pdf
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...,d.cGU&cad=rja
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...85464276,d.cGU
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...85464276,d.cGU

[335ISblk]

Hey,

Thanks for the info. I have the HiFi system (middle tier) 10 speaker system.

I didn't consider the battery, but I doubt it was ever replaced it's a 2011 that just came out of warranty.

So frustrated as no one seems to know the answer including BMW according to most posters.

[ctuna]

A BMW code reader might help
the easiest and cheapest one is the Carly App formally known
as BMWhat. It allows you to register the battery if its
changed and do some coding as well as diagnostics it runs of
your smartphone.(See website)
Typical Life on a Battery is 6 years but if you don't drive it enough or if it has been setting it can be a lot less because basicly it is
always drawing some current and when it is awake its .5 amps
Getting near it or opening the door wakes it up and if the keyfob
remains in range it can keep it awake. Locking the car will put it
to sleep within a couple of minutes cutting the draw down to 20 ma.

Don't know why the CD Volume should be different are you using self burned CD's or purchased ones. If they are homemade that might have something to do with it.

Next thing would be your amp .
You should check the amp area for water as its common
that water gets into the amp area and shorts it out.

[335ISblk]

I'm going to check the battery voltage today on and off.

There is a way to run the voltage meter directly from your cars computer dash which gives a realtime output

After that I'm going to check for water in the amp, but really not sure how that is even possible.

[335ISblk]

Originally Posted by 335ISblk

I'm going to check the battery voltage today on and off.

There is a way to run the voltage meter directly from your cars computer dash which gives a realtime output

After that I'm going to check for water in the amp, but really not sure how that is even possible.

Also let me ask you this,

Say the amplifier went bad and I want to replace. Since this is the Hifi system and not the Logic 7, can I simply replace with no reprogramming required? These Hifi amps are like $100 on ebay

Thanks.

[ctuna]

Yes but you might want to consider aftermarket
if you are not happy with the overall sound.

Its just and analog amp not digital info or connections.


http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323

[335ISblk]

Thanks

So I just did the on screen battery voltage test (off and engine on)

On the dash it displahyed 12.2 volts with engine off. With engine on it displayed 14.3. I think these are good numbers so I'm ruling out the battery for the moment.

Radio did not turn on for the first minute the car was lit. After that it came on and worked for the entire time I took a drive (about 30 mins) Prior to the drive I opened the back trunk panel to look at the amplifier. It looked real cheap honestly and had a small layer of that white corrosion which looks typical for this kind of cheap aluminum. No appearance of water every being in there though. I saw 2 wire only. 1 was being routed to the battery and the other was one of those wire harness plugs. I shook both for good measure incase something came loose.

I will see if the radio does the same nonsense again on the next drive later today. Obviously it is not fixed and I'm at the mercy of it working when it wants to it seems.

[ctuna]

You could try re seating the connector to the amp

There is a lever for the main connector I would throw it and
wiggle it a little then close it again.

The voltage seems OK but a little low for the static measurement.

I would get a diag scan after that.
It has to be from a BMW type scanner to get the shadow codes.

On mine there is only one main amp connector but its a an 06.
They changed the Hi Fi amp after 2010 I don't know how much different
they are if at all they used to be anodized black and after had an aluminum case.

[335ISblk]

This is what it looked like


http://parts.bmwofalexandria.com/pro...52d190%29.html

I have some electrical cleaner spray. Thinking I throw that switch you mentioned and clean the electrical connector maybe that is causing some sort of interference issue. As for the black wire that connects to the battery I'm not even sure how you unplug that so I won't mess with it.

[ctuna]

There is a lever you throw at least there was on mine

[335ISblk]

no luck with any of it. Radio just keeps coming on then conking off on its own every 30 seconds to a minute. Need to have someone look at it

Thanks for the assistance