MKIII with 3-1/20 isn't able to update to newer versions???

Neo1984 · #1 06-06-2010, 02:15 PM

Hello @ all,

i've got a friend with an e46 Cabrio (build 09/2000) and fitted with an MK3 Navigation Computer.
He has a very old software on the MK3, as shown in Menu it is 3-1/20 so it must be V16 (the MK3 was never updated to a newer version since it was build)
So we tried to update to a newer Version but it do not read any Update CD. We tried V17.1, V21, V26 and V31 but nothing happens. The MK3 says that there is a wrong CD inserted and automaticly pulls it out. All of the Update CDs where burned in Mode 2 so this is not the problem.
We allready tried to use an Original BMW Update Disk (V32) but there was the same...
By the way: The Interface of the MK3 looks like an MK2 - i mean the old style of the Menu (blue-white, nearly the same as the menu design from the video module)
Anybody here who can help?

Regards,
Neo

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KiwiJochen · #2 06-07-2010, 12:47 AM

Does the nav read maps?

If it also cannot read maps, then the laser is dead; replace the laser

Neo1984 · #3 06-07-2010, 02:58 AM

Hi Jochen,

yes, it reads the maps without any problems - mysterious...

Neo1984 · #4 06-07-2010, 03:04 AM

BTW: There is another thing which is strange on this MK3: The Mk3 seems to be write protected because i cannot delete the adressbook and the last destinations. OK lets say i can delete it but if the navi shuts down (if you lock the car) and then it comes up again with all of the old adresses and last destinations. So it does not save any parameters/user inputs

Neo1984 · #5 06-07-2010, 03:24 AM

Another Thing: Even with Navcoder is not able to set any parameters. I get a timeout when trying to change any option. Reading with navcoder is no problem

KiwiJochen · #6 06-07-2010, 06:35 AM

As for the timeout in NavCoder: does ANY response come from the nav?
It may be that the nav has such an old OS version that the responses are different to what NavCoder expects. So send me the NavCoder log file (by email please)

Otherwise, sounds like there is a problem with the flash memory

I would attack the problem like this:

1. Reset nav: power off, power on - by disconnecting the nav purple and blue connectors.

2. Load a OS that is newer than 3-1/20 but not the newest, eg: 3-1/30 or 3-1/40 or so

3. Remember that the new 3-1/63 OS does require a Key CD, so to load 3-1/63 you need to have the Key CD handy

4. Then try loading 3-1/63

If no OS load works, then the flash memory is definitely faulty, and there is not much you can do. Sell it, or use it for spare parts....

Neo1984 · #7 06-07-2010, 11:18 AM

Hi Jochen,

to your question: Yes if i click on "read" it responses and navoder shows the correct VIN and Emergency Number and so on. So that looks good but anything you do which requires the MK3 to write something ends with an timeout.

I will try to update the nav with the v17 cd, but i don't believe that this will work. Is there no possibility (i heard that i can send it to VDO/Siemens and they will flash or replace the flash??)

Regards
Neo

KiwiJochen · #8 06-07-2010, 12:33 PM

Show me the NavCoder log. With the log we see the response from the nav

VDO will likely say the repair is uneconomic if it is a faulty flash ram chip

autotronic · #9 06-07-2010, 08:17 PM

It's possible to source and replace faulty flash memory with new devices.

In fact I have them here with me, brand new original Fujitsu.

But a faulty memory device will mostly cause a system crash that is fatal and unrecoverable through a CD OS disc.

As your unit works, that's quite unlikely to be a Flash memory problem based on my experience. During it's normal operation the unit updates it's own flash memory with recent addressed and GPS locations. So if that update is occurring the memory must be readable and rewritable.

KiwiJochen · #10 06-08-2010, 01:32 AM

Hi autotronic, what's your thoughts to a likely diagnosis here?

Bad laser = high error rate causing inability to load OS?

Interested to hear you thoughts?

And to Neo: the log file will reveal a lot. Send it!

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