Urgent help needed -E90 Head unit

[outlaw335]

Hi guys! Need some advice as I'm not too clued up on electrical/head unit on an e90.

I sent in the diesel for replacement h8 (angel eye) globes as I just don't have the time these days.When I picked up the car the rings were very dim and the DRL function didn't work.In other words they only came on in when in park and even then they were way dimmer than usual.

I figured that either the globes were faulty or the install was wrong so i sent it back.The mech said that the globes and install was fine and that the issue was perhaps software as the last version was very old.

I thought highly unlikely but anyways gave him the go ahead.He attempted to update the software but was unsuccessful saying the relay would not close for some reason.He then removed the head unit and physically closed the relay.

I went back and he said the head unit was now faulty so at this point the Idrive screen,rear windows,pdc and radio are not functional.Obviously my first question was when the car came to you the head unit was fine,the only issue was the rings. His response was that the head unit was faulty which caused the dimness in the first place and that the head unit can go at any time.

We've been using this guy for years and have had no issue with him but this just sounds like proper BS to me or am I wrong? What do you guys think.At this time I'm awating pricing on a new head unit :flyfun:

Also can you guys suggest anywhere else I can go to for a second opinion

Thanks in advance :thumbs:

 

[outlaw335]

Thoughts anyone?

 

[ClassicB]

Makes no sense how the head unit would affect the headlights or angel rings.

 

[herr bmw]

sorry,electrical is a weak point with me,but if the head unit is disconnected,then isnt the rings brighter?

 

[akash]

I dont see any way the driving light would work through the radio. Sound like a whole load of BS.

 

[ZlinG]

did you replace the normal or xenon headlights with h8 angel eyes bulbs? Think the angel lights needs a little box that boost the light.

But this doesn't sound right

 

[Mo63]

Im not clued up on these things,but it does smell like BS to me.

Why not pop by Tune Tech for a second opinion :thumbs:

 

[outlaw335]

Hey guys! I've come to conclusion that the mech while trying to update the software stuffed something up and in the process blew the head unit.Unfortunately he denies this and I have no way to prove it.Btw a big thank you to Yusuf (M3M5 POWER) for helping out this afternoon,I really appreciate it! :thumbs::thumbs:

If anybody knows where I can find a professional head unit for an e90 I'd really appreciate it..

 

[zaleonardz]

Ok,

So you will not blow the head unit. You do not simply blow an electronic device of this nature.

Each power line is isolated by individual fuses/circuits.

As a matter of fact, the I-Drive unit CCC, the ASK unit and other entertainment devices are actually separate modules.

He has done one of two things, he has either stuffed up an earth wiring (I think a central earthing point is in the engine bay exactly where the gent was working by the headlights)

Or alternatively, during re-coding, the module programming was interruped, and as such, those modules are now paperweights, but in many cases the backlight on the CCC will still be on.

But again, programming will not stuff up that many items, as it codes item for item in a batch format.

I wish I could say bring the car to me and let me take a look for you, but this is not possible during day-time.

If you want, I can possibly take a look on Saturday for you.

Decent Diagnostics will also give you an indication.

By the way, I am ruling out the possibility of a popped fuse simply because thats the first thing that any experianced mech would check.

 

[abmi0000]

I asked my mech to update the software on all my components and he immediately made mention of the head unit possibly not working thereafter. He said that this happened at times when he worked at BMW too, several years ago. It's apparently not impossible to repair but certainly costs money.

Not saying that you are sitting with the same situation, but this thread merely triggered a memory.

Hope you come right bro :thumbs:

 

[outlaw335]

Leonard thank you! PM sent! :thumbs: Btw you're spot on.When connected,the backlight remains on.Even drained my battery one evening..

---

I asked my mech to update the software on all my components and he immediately made mention of the head unit possibly not working thereafter. He said that this happened at times when he worked at BMW too, several years ago. It's apparently not impossible to repair but certainly costs money.

Not saying that you are sitting with the same situation, but this thread merely triggered a memory.

Hope you come right bro :thumbs:

Thanks bro! I hope so to,its really frustrating.Worst part is not having an air con in this heat! :thumbdo:

We spoke to someone at bmw today and he said thats probably what happened because the mech did say that his programming was interrupted.

 

[zaleonardz]

Backlight on, means its not a power issue and means that your life is about to start sucking.

However, there is a slight chance that he may have broken the optical bus, diagnostics will reveal.

The diagnostic bus and the optical bus are seperate

Chances are though that they stuffed up the ASK unit, ie head-unit, was coding, and now went poof.

Why is the aircon not working though, idrive down ?

 

[outlaw335]

Leonard right again! The optical bus has a red light that shines when power running through it correct? (under the glove compartment). Theres no light indicating theres no power.

With regards to the air con i'm baffled! The fan runs but only hot air comes out.I was told the head unit controls the the air flaps/temperature.When I went for re-gassing,the guy said gas level was fine but for some reason no power was running through the compressor

 

[M3M5POWER]

Hey guys! I've come to conclusion that the mech while trying to update the software stuffed something up and in the process blew the head unit.Unfortunately he denies this and I have no way to prove it.Btw a big thank you to Yusuf (M3M5 POWER) for helping out this afternoon,I really appreciate it! :thumbs::thumbs:

If anybody knows where I can find a professional head unit for an e90 I'd really appreciate it..

No problem bud, at least you know what the situation is currently.:thumbs:
The above replies as mentioned clearly states that the head unit has a problem as i told you, hope you sort it out soon.

 

[outlaw335]

Bump! Guys still desperately looking for a unit.If anyone has any contacts new /used/refurbished please send them my way.Need one asap! Cash reward for anyone who can find me one :rollsmile: Thanks in advance :thumbs:

 

[zaleonardz]

I am sure Mike @ MD House will have one.

 

[Rayzor]

Hi contact Combined electronics: 0119726681, they are authorized service agents for BMW, they based in kempton park :thumbs:

 

[hoosain]

i had the same problem with my e60 i drive
my solution was removal of the head unit and send it to combined electronics
they replaced couple of resistors and diodes and voila i drive came alive again
all faulty bmw electronics end up at combined electronics

 

[outlaw335]

I am sure Mike @ MD House will have one.

Checked with him and few others Leonard,no luck as yet :nonono: He only had a second hand one from an M3 which wouldn't work.

Btw as a matter of interest.How many of you guys have the professional radio unit with the double din like this one in the pic:




Seems like my car was the only one in SA to have this unit on an E90 :yuck:

 

[sagien]

Try MD House as Leonard suggests, I got Professional unit with Bluetooth and USB from them for R1500 a few weeks back.