Nav Screen and Steering Wheel Problems

[mikem]

I have a 2003 X5 3.0i Sport. I have had the car from new and it has today clocked 77000 miles. This year I have had a failed central locking mechanism on the driver's door, failed intensive wash switch, failed right hand front speakers and worn out boot dampers. Last week I had the car serviced €860.00!! During the service they found that I needed new rear pads and a new front nearside steering arm so...... On top of the Inspection 2 and the €1200 or so I have already spent on the car this year I suppose the cost of the recent service was not too bad.

Questions

1. Today as I pulled up outside my house I heard something loose inside the steering wheel hub and, as I turned the wheel from side to side to listen to it, the horn began to sound all by itself. Can I fix this myself?
2. The Navigation/TV screen has developed some dead spots on the display and they seem to get bigger and multiply everyday. Can this be fixed or do I need a new one?
3. If I need a new one (or second user one) where can I get one from?

[ARTRIGA]

Originally Posted by mikem

I have a 2003 X5 3.0i Sport. I have had the car from new and it has today clocked 77000 miles. This year I have had a failed central locking mechanism on the driver's door, failed intensive wash switch, failed right hand front speakers and worn out boot dampers. Last week I had the car serviced €860.00!! During the service they found that I needed new rear pads and a new front nearside steering arm so...... On top of the Inspection 2 and the €1200 or so I have already spent on the car this year I suppose the cost of the recent service was not too bad.

Questions

1. Today as I pulled up outside my house I heard something loose inside the steering wheel hub and, as I turned the wheel from side to side to listen to it, the horn began to sound all by itself. Can I fix this myself?
2. The Navigation/TV screen has developed some dead spots on the display and they seem to get bigger and multiply everyday. Can this be fixed or do I need a new one?
3. If I need a new one (or second user one) where can I get one from?

The horn and loose thing in your steering is probably failing clock spring (slip ring). It enables all steering wheel control connections with the car. I had to change mine, although due to totally different issue. Had to go to dealer, b/c couldn't find it online anywhere.

The pixel problem... I had a dead spot once and I red by searching that you can take a dull object, like the other end of a pencil and gently rub it for a few minutes, untill it changes color. I did that, then disconnected the battery, connected it back after 30 min and the spot was gone forever!

[killcrap]

If you have a sports steering wheel. One of the silver screws that hold the mfl switch has come loose. Pretty common failure. Remove the airbag and Check the mfl switch.

[mikem]

Thank you for the replies to my posts. I do indeed have a sports steering wheel and it does sound like something small and metallic inside the hub. Regarding the TV Screen dead spots, I'll try the pencil remedy and let you know. Thanks!

[mikem]

Question: Is it easy to disconnect the battery without having to have various things reset by a BMW service dept? Should I perhaps just remove the satnav/TV block and disconnect it from behind?

[killcrap]

it is not easy to disconnect the battery on an x5. but it would be easier in the long run, the only thing you have to reset is the steering angle sensor.

[mikem]

Thanks for the latest reply. Sorry to be thick but what does the steering angle sensor have to do with the dead spots on my LCD screen?

[killcrap]

if you disconnect the battery, the steering angle sensor will loose the stored value of where the steering wheel is.