DIY for changing the laser unit in a MK4 sat nav unit

[Didi]

This is a DIY for changing the laser unit in a MK4 sat nav unit.

If the MK4 has problems reading map DVDs (regardless whether it is an original or a burned copy) the problem of repair arises.

In fact you have several possibilities:
a) Buy a new computer from your BMW dealer: no option for me. Much too dear.
b) Buy a new computer at ebay: no option for me. Too dear as well.
c) Send the computer to the VDO repair centre in Germany (here): I tried to reach someone there without any success.
d) Buy a complete DVD unit (addresses at the end) and exchange it: there must be a cheaper possibility….
e) Change the laser unit (addresses at the end) of the DVD unit: that’s it!!!!!

First of all: I don’t take any responsibilities. Everybody should know what he think is able to do.

Keep your hands off if you are not used to handle with a small soldering iron and the below mentioned tools!!!

Tools needed: small soldering iron, desoldering braid, screwdrivers Torx T4 to T8, small screwdriver for slotted screws.

To open the MK4 you cut he seal at the back and remove the top cover carefully.
It should look like here:


The drive is screwed with 4 Torx screws (red circles). Unscrew them.
The drive is connected with 2 cables. One of them simply is plugged in (red connector) and can be released by pulling. The second cable is a ribbon cable.To release it you first have to move the locking mechanism on both sides carefully with a small screwdriver towards the cable as shown here:


After that the ribbon cable may be pulled out.
We will have to open some other of these cables during our repair process. The way of doing it is always the same.
The sat nat computer has lost its drive now.


You have the complete DVD drive in you hand.


For those of you who bought a complete DVD drive you just have to reassemble everything with the new drive in reversed order.
For all others: now it’s going to become interesting.
On the top of the drive you see a shielding plate which is soldered at its four corners.


Open the 4 solder points with the desoldering braid or a suction pump. After that you may remove the shielding plate carefully.
Now it should look like here:


The red circles show the former solder points of the shielding plate.
Next you have to open the two connectors (yellow circles). After that remove the ribbon cable of the laser unit (orange circle) as described above.
Now you have to unscrew the tree Torx screws (green circles). The printed circuit board (PCB) is just plugged in on its right side (on the photo).
It should be flapped to the right side. Now it should look like here:


Remove the two ribbon cables (red rectangles).
Now it should look like here:


On the laser unit you can see a small metal shield. It’s screwed with a small Torx screw and a very small crosshead screw (red circles). Remove both screws.

The metal shield connects the laser unit with the spindle drive with shaft joint (green circle). In addition the metal shield actuates the end switch (yellow circle).

Now you may move the laser unit on its rails. It should look like here:


Next you have to remove the two T4 screws (red circles) that secures the rails at there far ends.
The laser unit can be removed now by sliding it out carefully.

The new laser unit may be assembled in reversed order. While doing so keep an eye on the small end switch at the motor. It has to be actuated by the metal shield.
The laser unit should slide easy and smooth on its rails. After that:continue reassembling.

Important; don’t forget:
Before assembling and soldering the shielding plate you have to remove the two small solder bridges on the ribbon cable (red circles). See here:


And now have fun with your functioning MK4 computer!!!!!

Where to buy:
The DVD drive may be bought as a complete unit. It’s called "DVD-M3-4.6" and it costs about 130 euros.
I found the following distributors (most of them in Germany):
http://www.navigatie-onderdelen.nl/Webwinkel-Product-285814/DVD-M3-4.6-(navigatie)-loopwerk.html
http://www.n-tronics.com/english/ele...laserunits.php
http://www.donberg.de/descript/d/dvd_m3_4.6.htm
http://www.powercomponents.nl/websho...ode=DVD+M3+4.6
http://www.ebay.de (search for: DVD-M34.6), seller: bully1313
http://www.lasertrader.de/sg_Laufwerke_BMW.htm
http://www.grandata.co.uk/dvdm346dvdlaser-p-7676.html

The laser unit itself is called „SF-HD4“.
You may buy it
- at ebay (search for seller „spillomax“) about 40 euros plus postage and packing
- as remaining stock at Pollin (were I ordered) for 4.95 euros plus postage and packing

Acknowledgment:
I’d like to thank „Paceyon“ from the German Motor-Talk forums who posted a verbal description first.

[msakuraz]

wow...impressed by your work!
thanks

[BertusE46]

Super DIY, danke fur das!

Aber bei die SF-HD4 laser steht;
Komplette Lasereinheit zur Reparatur von defekten CD-Playern.

Ist das auch fur DVD? MK4 hast ein laser fur CD und ein fur DVD???

-----------------------------------------------

Nice DIY, thanks for that!

But at the SF-HD4 laser stands:
Complete laserunit for Repair of broken CD Players.

Is that also for DVD? MK4 has a laser for CD and one for DVD???

[Didi]

In fact it is a bit confusing. But I can promise the Pollin laser unit is for DVD as well. I ordered it and installed it. It works with burned DVDs !!!! By the way: the DIY is available in German laguage here: http://www.auto-treff.com/bmw/vb/sho...hreadid=220025

Regards
Didi

Originally Posted by BertusE46

Super DIY, danke fur das!

Aber bei die SF-HD4 laser steht;
Komplette Lasereinheit zur Reparatur von defekten CD-Playern.

Ist das auch fur DVD? MK4 hast ein laser fur CD und ein fur DVD???

-----------------------------------------------

Nice DIY, thanks for that!

But at the SF-HD4 laser stands:
Complete laserunit for Repair of broken CD Players.

Is that also for DVD? MK4 has a laser for CD and one for DVD???

[pulare]

Didi

Does it work also with double layer DVD´s.
I have purchase a complet loading unit from www.navigatie-onderdelen.nl
and it doesent read double layer DVD´s.

[Roy in GA]

What Ver. OS are you running? At least 31?

[pulare]

obviously v.31
I have used my friends loading unit from his MK4 and that MK4 is older then mine and it works in my MK4 too with the same double layer DVD. I have also this black surround around the laser and I suppose it is the same in my friends older MK4.

[Didi]

Originally Posted by pulare

Didi

Does it work also with double layer DVD´s.
I have purchase a complet loading unit from www.navigatie-onderdelen.nl
and it doesent read double layer DVD´s.

Yes. Works perfect with double layer DVDs

[M3Zenergy]

Just replaced my SF-HD4 laser..with one the white face plate (this one reads DVD's only)..ordered from Liberty Electronics in Miami Florida..do a search for SF-HD4 - sanyo laser

Welcome to Liberty Electronics Online - Electronic Components

total was about $25 bucks shipped...

Some notes that will make your life easier:

Get one Torx screwdriver set for electronics this is a must..got a set from home depot for $10 bucks..

Search - General Tools & Instruments

If you need to upgrade your software using CD...just burn the iso to a DVD and it will read just fine..!!

Thank for the post...saved me over $500 bucks

[TheM@x]

Hi, if you are handy it's very doable. I did it also.

Unfortunatly still difficulties with copy DVD's.

That's why I started this topic:

Replace the MK4 DVD drive with a harddisk
http://www.xoutpost.com/electronics/...ddisk-ssd.html