Where is the antenna?

[mbay2002]

Thank you! I've snapped and broken so many pieces on various Beemers over the years that when I come across an unknown I try to take an abundance of caution.

[mbay2002]

I found this thread because I've been trying to get my radio functioning. I definitely suffered from the "wet amplifier" problem that people have written about. I have now replaced the Amp, both antenna modules in the back, and the MID.

The original symptoms were that I was only getting FM stations, though things got progressively worse I believe due to the wet amplifier.

The symptoms now are that the MID illuminates ("red" buttons) but no display, and the MID does not control anything.

The radio stays on at all times, but I can only change the stations and volume from the steering wheel. Prior to replacing the Amp, the radio would go off about 60 seconds after starting the engine.

As far as I can tell, the only part of the stereo system that I have not replaced is the CD changer... though the CD changer is illuminated, and it does play a CD when inserted. I guess I could have a bad wiring harness is a possibility.

The biggest problem is that the MID is not functioning. I purchased the MID refurbished from a seller on ebay They guarantee that the problem is not with the MID, and have offered to take it back. They also suggested disconnecting the 3 plugs "behind the instrument cluster" to help troubleshoot. I have to look into this some more, but if anyone has details on this I'd appreciate it.

I guess I could now *try* to replace the CD changer and see if that helps things. If I completely remove the MID, the stereo continues to play. In other words, having the MID connected or disconnected gives the same end result.

I have checked all fuses... they are fine. I have disconnected the battery for 30+ minutes and then reconnected. I read somewhere that the Amp needs to be programmed depending on whether the car has Nav or not (I do not have Nav). What would the symptoms be if the Amp were not correctly programmed?

This is all on a 2001 X5. I wanted to give as much info as possible.

[Qsilver7]

Did you purchase the correct MID for your audio set-up? If you have DSP....then you need a DSP amp....as well as a MID that has a DSP button. If you don't have DSP, then you can't use a DSP amp or MID that has that button and get correct functioning.

MIDs come in 2 forms...high & low...andeither can have the optional DSP feature....you must use a MID that is configured like your e53 is configured:

[mbay2002]

Thanks... I've made a bit of progress. I do not have Nav. I did get the new MID going, I believe by "re-booting" it (held some combination of power button, clock button, and eject button on CD player). I had previously disconnected the battery but did not get the same end result. I also noticed the MID lights up only if pushed almost all the way into the dash. It does not stay lit up when pulled out of the dash even if still plugged in.

So, now the MID appears to be working better than the old MID. The part numbers on the MID match exactly... I've attached a photo... it has the "Audio/DSP" button plus the "telephone" button but the bottom button is only a "clock" button and does not have the "BC".

Now the only thing is I do not have AM stations, the FM sounds very "tinny". I tried to adjust the tone by selecting audio on the MID, and things like bass, treble, balance are in the middle, where I had them previously. However, under "tone", the only option is "flat". I remember I used to have things like "symphony" and some other choices there... so how do I get those choices back, and where did the AM go? I think this is a DSP feature... I tried my old Amp (when attached I only get sound for about 60 seconds, then it cuts out and I have to turn the radio off/on to get sound again, and then it cuts out again after 60 seconds), and only see the "flat" option for when using the original Amp. So it seems like the DSP is not working at all. I have also replaced both diversity antenna modules...

I do see that the original amp is part number 65.12-6 905 119 whereas replacement is 65.12-6 904 977. Replacement does say "DSP 2" on it and has the DSP jack, and looks like the old Amp.

Too many variables here it seems... I've now replaced the diversity antenna modules (exact part number matches) and MID (exact part number match) and Amp (part number mis-match as noted above, but the new Amp allows the radio to play continuously whereas the old Amp does not).

I also tried disconnecting/reconnecting the 3 plugs at the back of the instrument cluster as was suggested to me by a German audio house, but that didn't seem to make a difference (other than now my temperature LED display is a bit dimmer!)

I don't know, maybe this is telling me my electrical system is just getting old... like me.