Nav Screen Flickering

[Norwegian33]

Wondered if anyone might know of a fix for a flickering screen. I'm refusing to believe it's a problem with the monitor - the screen flickers ever so slightly with very faint lines going up and down very fast, especially when the car is moving. It seems to be picking up the engine signal, as the white lines seem to move with the movement of the RPMs. However, when I shut off the engine, the screen is perfect, with no flickering at all. I just had the glass replaced (it had been scratched) on the monitor by a former BMW electronics guy, and I'm really not wanting to consider there is a new problem with it now. Seems fine when the car isn't moving. I tried disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it, and the issue remains.. thanks for any ideas at all

[big bob]

Electrical noise getting into the video cabling or circuitry.

Something has changed in your EMI screening.

The cables from the luggage area to the screen may have moved closer to a noise source, or the shielding around the screen may have been disconnected, or the screen may be a cheap copy with poor screening.

[Norwegian33]

Newly replaced LCD screen was supposed to be brand new oem, not aftermarket, or made by anyone else other than oem manufacturer. The guy who did the work said he worked for BMW and MB for years doing just this work, replacing screens and other work fixing nav units.. He's saying that something must be wrong with the BM53 radio tuner, but the tuner had been working before, and I had just bought it new last month from Tischer - unit with the most recent part number, so I'm thinking that it must not be faulty.. any other suggestions, please let me know..

[big bob]

Since the radio tuner is not connected to nor creates the video signals for the LCD, I'd be surprised if it was causing your problem. It's not impossible, but it's a very long shot.

The LCD is driven by RGB signals on the blue connector which are created by both the GPS and TV tuner (if fitted). The TV tuner is after the GPS in the circuit. You can unplug the GPS and the system will continue to function. This may be a useful test.

Frankly, if the problem with screen flickering has been introduced with the replacement of the screen, I would be looking at the things that changed, namely the LCD itself and its EMI screening, and the wiring that moved behind the headunit.

[Norwegian33]

okay, finally had a BMW tech look at it and troubleshoot my entire system. He said it's definitely the monitor that has the issue - causing the flickering. I will be sending it back to the guy who replaced the screen today. Wish I could say the screen replacement went without a hitch, but alas can not. I've discussed this issue in more detail in an alternate thread..

[lassek]

Hi, just wanted to say I dont think its your screen, im having some issues with my mk4.. and that is causing white lines to flicker on the screen.. I started after i cleaned it and resolder a few spots.. but was malfuntioning before that.

When removed and i use the tv tuning instead ,.. no flickering.

[Norwegian33]

Originally Posted by lassek

Hi, just wanted to say I dont think its your screen, im having some issues with my mk4.. and that is causing white lines to flicker on the screen.. I started after i cleaned it and resolder a few spots.. but was malfuntioning before that.

When removed and i use the tv tuning instead ,.. no flickering.

That's interesting. I don't think my problem is my Mk4 though. I just bought it remanufactured from Bimmernav and it was working perfectly before I had the screen replaced on the monitor. Not sure why my mk4 would coincidentally start to malfunction right when I plugged the repaired monitor back in. Anyway, I sent the monitor back to the guy who fixed it and should get it back later in the week or next week and will report back on what happened. Thanks anyhow for your opinion.

[lassek]

Originally Posted by Norwegian33

That's interesting. I don't think my problem is my Mk4 though. I just bought it remanufactured from Bimmernav and it was working perfectly before I had the screen replaced on the monitor. Not sure why my mk4 would coincidentally start to malfunction right when I plugged the repaired monitor back in. Anyway, I sent the monitor back to the guy who fixed it and should get it back later in the week or next week and will report back on what happened. Thanks anyhow for your opinion.

OH! Im sorry I misread it! .. thought you suddenly were having theese problems.. not after changing screen!

[Norwegian33]

Okay, I received the unit back from the person (Jimmy) who originally replaced the screen and it is now PERFECT! No more flickering screen! No more light white lines going up and down. He said it was "a defective LCD Driver PC board," and he repaired it. So, now the screen is brand new and pristine, and the unit is working perfectly.. I would now ultimately recommend the screen replacement to anyone looking to replace their screen. I wish I had paid closer to $200 instead of the $250 ($280 after all of the shipping costs) but this guy would do it for $200 if you asked - I went through eBay where the auction for the repair was $250 as I wanted the protection of eBay/paypal, but I've recently seen him offering the same service for $200 on eBay.

[Roy in GA]

Does this repair guy have a website in case we need him? I wonder if he has the ribbon cables that go between the screen and the monitor housing. I need them.