2003 BMW X5 4.4 - Radio Display Problems

[jamesm067]

Hello,

I just purchased my first X5 (2003 BMW X5 4.4) and I noticed that
the text display on the radio has characters missing. The radio plays
fine, it's just that the display is not showing all the parts of each letter.

Is there a way to fix this issue in the original radio?

Note, I have the standard radio with single cd player. There is no navigation package in this X5.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Jim

[Brit6]

Common problem with the x5 radio displays (Also Called MID)
You have a couple options
1) Try to take out the mid and clean the connectors with electronic spray
2) If #1 doesn't work you can purchase a new MID (Try ebay and match the part #)
3) Send out your radio to be fixed to a 3rd party company online.

Let me know if you need any more info, you can also do a search as well.

[jamesm067]

Hello,

Thanks for the detailed repsonse.

Do you know if there is a set of instructions on removing and cleaning the MID?

Sometimes people will post instructions with screen shots on the web - in forums such as this. I just joined this forum tonight and got the X5 this past Friday.

I will do some Google searching.

Thanks again for your reply.

Jim

[Brit6]

There is a picture floating around, i believe on the main page, how to remove your stock stereo.

Its pretty simple, i did mine last week, You just pull the volume knob off, and you will see a small t10 (torx #10) screw to the bottom of the knob, you need to find a small t10 and stick it in there and turn counterclockwise 90 degrees and pull at the same time, the MID will open, starting with the driver side, with the hinge being on the passenger side.

Next is one connector, you need to remove the lock on the connect at the top and move it down. Once the connector lock is off you can pull the connector off.

Follow it by spraying the connector on the MID and the connector on the wire coming from the car.

I did this on my MID last week, and unfortunetly it didnt fix it, so i am looking for a replacement on ebay right now.

Good luck, congrats on the X5, you'll love it im sure, but there are some common problems with them which are all mostly explained on the site There is a search button that will search the site as well.

EDIT: I found the link from the mainpage, this should help.

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/s...id-bmw-x5.html

Originally Posted by jamesm067

Hello,

Thanks for the detailed repsonse.

Do you know if there is a set of instructions on removing and cleaning the MID?

Sometimes people will post instructions with screen shots on the web - in forums such as this. I just joined this forum tonight and got the X5 this past Friday.

I will do some Google searching.

Thanks again for your reply.

Jim

[jamesm067]

Hey Brit6,

Yes, I am very excited about the X5. What are your thoughts
on buying a BMW navigation unit for an X5 like on Ebay? Is it better
to get a standalone unit (e.g. Tom Tom) or is the BMW GPS unit reliable enough to warrant purchasing a used unit?

I am not sure if I want to go the built in GPS route or not.

Thanks,

-J

[Brit6]

I also have the standalone cd player in the dash with no nav, i went the portable gps way. Im sure other people can chime in, but from what ive read it would cost a lot of money to retrofit a stock bmw nav into a car that didnt come with it. Most people say its not worth it.

[jeffmeucci]

I don't have a BMW nav unit, but I've read dozens of threads with people complaining about them. It doesn't sound to be worth it.

I got a Garmin Nuvi for $350 and absolutely love it. Good luck!

[mrgeemoney]

Originally Posted by jamesm067

Hello,

I just purchased my first X5 (2003 BMW X5 4.4) and I noticed that
the text display on the radio has characters missing. The radio plays
fine, it's just that the display is not showing all the parts of each letter.

Is there a way to fix this issue in the original radio?

Note, I have the standard radio with single cd player. There is no navigation package in this X5.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Jim

BMW has a recall for this, it's a free fix if you take it to your dealer. There is a post somewhere on the net that you can find about this recall.

[mbdude]

I have the same problem but it affects the dash info display as well. Also, my heated seats go on for a second then shut off. Was told it may be a bad ignition switch but the car starts fine. Any further ideas? The fuse for the seats is fine.

[fullmetaljacket]

Buy a MID from ebay. Try German Audio Tech. I bought my MID from these guys. Don't waste your time repairing the MID. It's not worth your time. You'll have a difficult time. It's not a pleasant experience to open up the MID, clean parts or even replace the ribbon thing.

BMW MID RADIO STEREO DISPLAY 96+ E39 525 528 530 540 M5: eBay Motors (item 390160711287 end time Jul-21-10 11:58:59 PDT)

By the way I only spent $200 for the MID. It's worth every penny!