Trim removal help needed Please (picture added)..............

[FreddyG]

Hi Guys!

I had a Valentine One radar detector installed in our X5 and then I started getting the high battery drainage message, so I took it in for service. They told me that with any type of aftermarket pieces installed that BMW said they won't even check it, so out it comes.

Sorry, I'm a idiot and forgot the picture of the piece! Here it is:



My problem is that I had it installed professionally and the installer is on vacation next week, so I thought that I'd take it out myself. The one problem is that I don't know how to remove this panel without breaking it.

Can you Guys Please help me out?

Thanks in advance.

[LeMansX5]

I am not sure which trim piece or panel you need help removing. Can you mark on pic or indicate otherwise?

[FreddyG]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

I am not sure which trim piece or panel you need help removing. Can you mark on pic or indicate otherwise?

Sorry about that. Here's the picture and Thanks again:

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by FreddyG

Sorry about that. Here's the picture and Thanks again:

I have not done this on E70, but I would start by prying off the black button looking thing(if its not a screw) on top right with flat head screwdriver. There may be another one on top or side.
Hopefully someone who has done this will chime in.

[The Big Easy]

FreddyG - many of us have done this via the sunroof module. Why not try this first before removing the detector alltogether? Also, been my expereince with the E70/E92 that should you not be driving regularly - such warnings may be more common than not.....

Cheers,

[FreddyG]

Originally Posted by The Big Easy

FreddyG - many of us have done this via the sunroof module. Why not try this first before removing the detector alltogether? Also, been my expereince with the E70/E92 that should you not be driving regularly - such warnings may be more common than not.....

Cheers,

Thanks Guys for the help!

What is the sunroof module problem?

BMW said that they wouldn't do any checks/tests on the vehicle if there was aftermarket stuff on. That's why I want to take the detector out. I can always put it back on if something else is causing the problem.

My SA told me that I shouldn't drive it on so many short trips, as the alternator doesn't have time to sufficiently charge the battery. In my opinion, they should put a better, larger alternator on these. It's not like it's going to cut into their profit margin that much. After all, these X5's cost alot of money to begin with! I guess that's business though!

When we first bought this, had they disclosed that it couldn't be driven short jaunts without the battery going dead or being able to recharge, I'd have bought something else. They need to work o that (once again, just my opinion).

Sorry for the rant, but it just chaps me a little!

[TRAINER]

Originally Posted by FreddyG

Thanks Guys for the help!

What is the sunroof module problem?

BMW said that they wouldn't do any checks/tests on the vehicle if there was aftermarket stuff on. That's why I want to take the detector out. I can always put it back on if something else is causing the problem.

My SA told me that I shouldn't drive it on so many short trips, as the alternator doesn't have time to sufficiently charge the battery. In my opinion, they should put a better, larger alternator on these. It's not like it's going to cut into their profit margin that much. After all, these X5's cost alot of money to begin with! I guess that's business though!

When we first bought this, had they disclosed that it couldn't be driven short jaunts without the battery going dead or being able to recharge, I'd have bought something else. They need to work o that (once again, just my opinion).

Sorry for the rant, but it just chaps me a little!

I too was getting a low battery draw from my radar. (This was on my 09 335 convert). My dealer had no problem testing the car with the radar detector in it. In fact, once he determined that it was the detector he re-routed it to the proper power point (cigarette lighter) for me.

Second.. Your SA is a moron! I never heard of such nonsense!

[FreddyG]

Originally Posted by TRAINER

I too was getting a low battery draw from my radar. (This was on my 09 335 convert). My dealer had no problem testing the car with the radar detector in it. In fact, once he determined that it was the detector he re-routed it to the proper power point (cigarette lighter) for me.

Second.. Your SA is a moron! I never heard of such nonsense!

Thanks Trainer for all of the info!
I'll check on hooking it up to the cigarette lighter!

As far as your opinion of my SA, you'll get no argument from me about that one!

[The Big Easy]

If you don't come right with the lighter option, try the power on demand wire running to the sunroof module in the overhead consul - the V1 setup allows a direct clip on which works great (if memory seve me correctly - the green & white wire).

Cheers,

[FreddyG]

Originally Posted by The Big Easy

If you don't come right with the lighter option, try the power on demand wire running to the sunroof module in the overhead consul - the V1 setup allows a direct clip on which works great (if memory seve me correctly - the green & white wire).

Cheers,

Thank You Very Much!

It's at the dealer now getting software updates, so when I go to pick it up, I'll ask the mechanic about it. Their mechanics are pretty easy to talk to and don't mind answering all of my questions (Luckily for me because I ask a TON of them )!

Thanks again Guys!