Massive parasitic current leak in stereo/nav circuit

Multibeemer · #1 09-11-2011, 08:22 PM

As I've described in another thread, I've identified a massive parasitic current leak in the stereo/navigation system circuit in my '03 4.4i. When I remove the fourth fuse from the front in the fuse box in the right side of the luggage compartment and place the leads of my ammeter across the fuse's connectors, the current solidly pegs the needle of my ammeter on the 250 mA scale, so the leak is huge. I seem to remember reading that parasitic leaks originating from the stereo/nav system are fairly common in these cars. Is there a straightforward way to track down the source of the leak in the nav/stereo unit? I dearly hope I don't have to replace the entire unit, which is probably costs a significant percentage of the entire vehicle's value... Thanks.

Sponsored Links

recklessspyder · #2 09-11-2011, 08:55 PM

you have a telematics unit (bluetooth/telephone)? That was my cause and a few others....

Multibeemer · #3 09-11-2011, 10:28 PM

No, no bluetooth/telephone (I've heard those are common sources of parasitic leaks). Just the standard stereo with the built-in navigation system.

recklessspyder · #4 09-12-2011, 12:12 AM

I don't know what was standard on 03's but I guess it's odd that you wouldn't have any phone devices (especially with the nav option).....not even the pop in phone cradle in the arm rest? I think if you have BMW assist you have a telematics unit as well. real easy to see if you have a telematics unit in the left rear

Multibeemer · #5 09-12-2011, 12:35 AM

Hmm... I'll take a look. We bought the car used a little over a year ago, and I'm not much of a gadget person, so I never looked very closely at what came with the nav. I don't even know what telematics means

Multibeemer · #6 09-16-2011, 10:30 PM

My wife took the car to Best Buy to look at the ipod adapter they installed awhile back, and they told her it was totally fried. So, even though it was out of warranty, they very nicely replaced it for free. So, I was confident this was the cause of our huge parasitic leak, but when I checked it tonight, it still pegs the 250 mA scale on the ammeter when I place the leads across the fourth fuse from the front in the fuse box in the right rear of the cargo area (with the fuse removed, of course). I waited 20+ minutes to make sure it went to sleep, in case it had a sleep mode, and it's still pegging the ammeter.

Crap! I was hoping we had found the problem, but no such luck. The navigation/stereo tuner is a very basic unit - no phone, bluetooth, or any other accessories as far as I can see (we bought the car used). Does anyone have any ideas as to how to troubleshoot the parasitic leak which seems to be coming from the stereo/nav unit? I would really appreciate any advice, because this has "expensive" written all over it. Thanks.

Multibeemer · #7 09-17-2011, 03:05 PM

One clue to my problem may be the fact that only one of of the fuses that protect the stereo/nav system, #75 in the fuse box in the cargo area, has a high current flow across its connectors. All the others show zero current flow. If somebody has a wiring diagram for the X5, could you take a look at the circuitry that fuse #75 protects and let me know what it goes to? Thanks.

Quicksilver · #8 09-17-2011, 06:20 PM

Look above "new post and "search" for "Online References". What your looking for may be found there.

rastaFarai · #9 09-17-2011, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Look above "new post and "search" for "Online References". What your looking for may be found there.

Cmon quicksilver we a better than that here :-)

There is an x5 wiring diagram that has been posted many times. So he's right, if you search for it you are sure to find the diagram quickly. Good luck. Mine is at BMW and I wish I would have tried the method you are doing. I am hoping my aftermarket warranty covers it if not I am fixing myself. When you remove the fuse does the leak stop? (I'm not an electronics person, so might be a stupid question lol I guess with no fuse no way to drain on battery?)

rastaFarai · #10 09-17-2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rastaFarai

Cmon quicksilver we a better than that here :-)

There is an x5 wiring diagram that has been posted many times. So he's right, if you search for it you are sure to find the diagram quickly. Good luck. Mine is at BMW and I wish I would have tried the method you are doing. I am hoping my aftermarket warranty covers it if not I am fixing myself. When you remove the fuse does the leak stop? (I'm not an electronics person, so might be a stupid question lol I guess with no fuse no way to drain on battery?)

Oh wait my fault quicksilver I didn't read right thought you told him to search you gave him exact answer. My bad

Sponsored Links