E53 on board computer problems

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Tactician

...my issue is when I attempt to start the car I get CODE---- displaying on the computer strip on the dash.
... The car handbook tells me to utilise the MID unit on the centre console to input a code. neither my car nor a friends ever had a MID unit (different dash configuration)...

What is the current dash configuration? Has the MID unit been removed and replaced with an aftermarket unit?

I think you will need either a MID or a factory NAV screen to access the CODE feature. The CODE feature is a 4-digit PIN code that diables the starting system (via the alarm module). It seems it can get enabled in error sometimes (power glitches etc.) and I'm not aware of a way to clear it without eother a MID unit or a factory NAV unit. I've read that you can bypass the CODE to start the car, using this method: -

Key position 0
Pull Fuse #43
Then start

Never tried it myself but at this point, it could be worth trying? You can re-insert the fuse once the car is running, to get teh dash working again, and you'll have to do this each time until you sort the code.

And BTW, it seems that it's common in case like this for the code to be the default - 2767 - but you are still going to need a method to enter the code. You can plug in a MID unit temporarliy to do this - check for one on eBay?