E53 battery drain help!

[X-OUT]

Hi

I've been having a battery drain issue for couple of weeks now, I changed the battery and it came back. So I done a multi-meter test on battery 0.79 Amps after going to sleep so pulling each fuse and several times resetting the 16 mins wait, frustratingly, I finally found the culprit and the draw dropped to 0.01

The 30A fuse was located in the boot #72

Which protects:

Multi-information display
Navigation
On-board monitor
Sound system

I need help in the next steps to zero in on the issue.

About 2 weeks ago I was driving along and the speakers on one side of the car went out like a fader that had been moved, I wasn't doing anything unusual or playing with controls, they just popped off.
Also just before this happened there was some random screeching coming through the speakers even when the radio was off, just out of the blue would come and go with no apparent cause, for about a week then one side of the speakers went out and the screeching stopped.

This was around the time when the battery drain started which makes me suspect the sound system might the culprit.

Addionally I have a Parrot fitted, which functions ok through all speakers. (Rules out blown speakers)

Has anyone got any suggestions of the next procedure of testing?

Thanks!

[X-OUT]

[bcredliner]

What year X5? Suggest adding year and engine to your signature. Do you have DSP?

Only one side has sound for both the radio and the navigation?

[X-OUT]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

What year X5? Suggest adding year and engine to your signature. Do you have DSP?

Only one side has sound for both the radio and the navigation?

Hi, thanks for reply

2004 3.0i

DSP not sure how I would know?

Not sure satnav has always been temperamental and not working at present.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by X-OUT

The 30A fuse was located in the boot #72

Which protects:

Multi-information display
Navigation
On-board monitor
Sound system

I'm a bit confused by this list. Is this a list you have gotten from somewhere or a list of the modules are in your car?

The MID is usually only fitted to cars with no Nav.

The On-board monitor is a set of data held in the IKE (instrument cluster) and is displayed on the MID or the Nav screen. It's not a separate module.

If you have the Nav fitted (and it seems you do) then you have only two items to check - the sound system (which is likely to be either in the trunk left rear cubby or under the trunk next to the battery) and the Nav system (in the trunk left rear cubby).

I'd start by unplugging the main connector on the sound system and check the drain again.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by X-OUT

Hi, thanks for reply

2004 3.0i

DSP not sure how I would know?

Not sure satnav has always been temperamental and not working at present.

You can find out what options were fitted at the factory by decoding your VIN. Enter the last 7 digits (two letters and five numbers) of your VIN on a page like this...

https://www.bmwvin.com/

[bcredliner]

If you have DSP it should show when you go to settings on Nav screen. My guess is you don't. Since all speakers operate with Parrot I agree it is not a speaker issue. It sounds like you have a short. I think there is more than one fuse for the radio. Regardless I would start with checking for any blown fuses.

[X-OUT]

Originally Posted by wpoll

I'm a bit confused by this list. Is this a list you have gotten from somewhere or a list of the modules are in your car?

The MID is usually only fitted to cars with no Nav.

The On-board monitor is a set of data held in the IKE (instrument cluster) and is displayed on the MID or the Nav screen. It's not a separate module.

If you have the Nav fitted (and it seems you do) then you have only two items to check - the sound system (which is likely to be either in the trunk left rear cubby or under the trunk next to the battery) and the Nav system (in the trunk left rear cubby).

I'd start by unplugging the main connector on the sound system and check the drain again.

I got the list from Bentley service manual, it’s probably listing the circuits which could be there in different circumstances like you say if a sat nav isn’t fitted the MID would be there.

I will unplug the main connector on the sound system and test again.

Thanks.

[X-OUT]

Hi

I finally got around to checking the main connector on the BM54 and as soon as its unplugged the drain disappears. I gather the unit needs fixings, I've had a quick look at the connectors and inside and see no water damage or corrosion.
There's some guys on eBay which sell repair kits or offer a repair service, I think this is the next step, unless you gentlemen have any other better ideas?

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by X-OUT

Hi

I finally got around to checking the main connector on the BM54 and as soon as its unplugged the drain disappears. I gather the unit needs fixings, I've had a quick look at the connectors and inside and see no water damage or corrosion.
There's some guys on eBay which sell repair kits or offer a repair service, I think this is the next step, unless you gentlemen have any other better ideas?

Well done - at least you now know where the problem is - and it's not surprising that the BM54 is the drain, given the other odd stereo issues.

I hear good things about Carphonics (can't vouch for them though): -

Carphonics - Car System Repairs and Upgrades

And these folk sound decent too...

https://www.bm54.com/

At least they are both on your side of the pond!