MkIII OS Problems
 

I have a 01 BMW with 16:9 MkIII
The nav has never worked while i have owned it (a couple of months)
There was no nav disks with the car (brought car from auction)
I have tried a few downloaded OS disks but with no luck
I dont have a nav option on my screen just TV, OBC etc
I have tried V27 and V28 but no luck yet.
Any ideas guys
I would really appreciate your help
I am a nav noob;)

Do you have a map disk? If not, you will need to go to BMW and buy one. The Nav will not work without this disk.

Yeah ive got a map disk that a fellow member copied for me.
Still no responce when i try it.

Try downgrade to V24 EEUU from http://poi.ravestation.net/nav_os/

Burn into CD-R Verbatim on 1x speed for security

Stupid question but where are you inserting the disk?

The CD player behind the nav screen is just that - an audio CD player (unlike many vehicle nav systems) - do you have a nav computer in the boot behind the flap?

Some vehicles have just TV and OBC - no Nav - depends on the ordered options, though if that is the case, it should be easy to retro-fit a Mk3 or Mk4.

If you DO have a nav computer in the boot, then it looks like there is a problem with it as even without a map disk you should get a request to load the map disk on the monitor, and in the menu there should be a navigation option.

Can you confirm what you have in the boot, and where you have been trying to load the OS and nav CD?

Cheers

Ive got the MkIII computer in the boot.
Mine is a 01 so ive only got tape behind the screen GRRR
The car has factory 16:9 Nav
But no responce from any disk that i load in the boot.
I have read that when the nav is not working the system just reverts back to TV function.
The TV works fine just no nav.
I removed the nav and tuner today and checked all the connections etc and they are all fine.
???????????

Forget about Map disks for the time being. Your navigation computer is locked and is not making its presence known to the rest of the system. That should be your only concern until it is solved. It will not have been solved until you have a navigation option in your main menu. No use loading disk after disk in the unit before that happens.

Now then: Check that there is power in the 12V wire in the Mk-III unit. See if any LED do blink or light in the unit in any situation. If not, check the fuse. If fuse OK use a volt meter or rig a 12V lamp to check power at the connector.

If power is OK you have to re-install your Operating System. Find and download V24 USA -EEUU in spanish- CD image file. Make sure it is an image for a Mode2/Form1 disc. Burn it and use it to re-load your firmware. There are lots of threads in this forum describing the procedure. Follow it strictly.

Good luck

The red power led is on and fuses are fine.
I am downloading V24 EEUU now
Ill try that and let you know.
One more question do i load the disc with the key in position 1 or with the ignition off????
Thanks

Key in Pos1 so that the ibus devices are active. Radio off.

Ok i tried V24 and no luck
Key in pos 1 radio off
Insert disc into nav in boot.
makes a few noises and then nothing!!!!!
The nav screen menu does not change

I think my next step is to find another MkIII of MkIV computer and try hooking it up and see if that works.
Mine seems to take the cd fine but no signal geting through to the front:confused: :confused:

Check your V24 system CD. Check it burned as mode2 (use NeroTools or ImgbBurn). Check it burned with no errors. Mount image in a virtual drive and check all files in your DC against those in the image.

Eject and withdraw any disc from your navigation unit. Switch your car off and withdraw the key. Open your trunk and gain access to your battery. Do not open or close doors. Do not use your remote. Wait for all the systems to shut down -it may take some 5 or 10 minutes. All interior and trunk lights should have gone off and more specifically the navigation unit LED should have gone off. Disconnect ground cable from your battery once you are sure all systems have shut down. IMPORTANT: Disconnecting battery while MK-III is still shutting down may permanently disable the unit.

Wait for some 30 minutes. Re-connect your battery. Turn key to pos 1. Wait for all systems to boot and stabilise. Wait for your screen to fill and display whatever it does display. Check if you still have no navigation in your main menu –just in case.

Now insert the V24 disk and wait. Do not touch the key. Do not open or close doors. Do not touch the car nor your remote. Wait for hours if need be until the CD will be ejected on its own and the screen will ask you to press OK (right button). When that happens, remove the CD and press the button. Then wait for the system to reboot. Do not touch the key until it has rebooted.

If all fails: See if you can test your MKIII unit in a friend's car or try a friend's unit in your car. Eventually check that I-Bus wire is not cut.

I really can not think what else can you do.

If the unit was permantly disabled would it still take the disc and spin etc
Just wondering because i have disconnected the batery a few times:confused:

Is Mk4 a straight swap???
If my Mk3 is dead i mas a well buy a Mk4 unit

I borrowed a genuine BMW V28 OS disc from my local dealer and still no luck
Disc has been in the car now for 2 hours GRRRRRR

What does the ibus wire look like

I have followed the instructions exactly
The unit takes the dics and then makes a few wiring noises and then nothing.
It dosent sound like the disc is even spinning

P.S. Thanks for everones help so far!!!!!!

The I-Bus wire is white and red with some yellow. You should find it in the connectors to the Mk-III unit. You could use a voltmeter and check if it has a voltage of some 12V (maybe a bit less if there is I-Bus traffic).But to be honest I do not think the problem lays there. It would seem the unit can not read a CD, no matter if it may also not be able to communicate. I'm out of ideas now, really. Maybe the unit has hardware problem and maybe someone with more experience can help you further.

Hi Crombo97,

It is easier to diagnose the nav by monitoring the ibus traffic. Do you have the ability to do that? You will need an ibus adapter and some software - my Navcoder program works well, as does WinBus.

I also have a Mk3 (and a Mk4) here in Auckland NZ and have been writing diagnostic sioftware for these units.

If you here a few wirring noises then the disc is trying to spin. Maybe your laser is dirty? Maybe the disc is scratched?

These things, and the ibus status, are easy to figure out on my workbench!

If you want to, you can post the mk3 unit to me for a look-see. I can send it back to you afterwards. Email me if you are interested,

Thanks for the offer!!!
It sounds like a great idea.
Can you PM me your address and ill post it to you.
I opened the top cover last night to see if the disc was spinning and it does spin after it is loaded but then stops after a minute or so.
It makes the wiring sound as it is spining like it cant read the disc.