MK III Question
 

Hi. I bought an MK III as a replacement that supossedly has never been installed in a vechile. It came in the original box and it looks new. When I installed it the red LED light does not come on although you can insert a cd and it will spin and try to read it before ejecting it. So, it has power. The screen in the car is completely blank with no menu items. I tried inserting a software upgrade disk that I have used successfully in the past (v.28) but the same thing happens and it does not install. When these units leave the factory is the software pre-installed? Is there anything else I can try to get it up and running? Thanks in advance for your help. I hope I don't own a paperweight.

Wow, I wish I could help you on "why?" - I hope to get to Atlanta in a few weeks and can bring you my MK3 (3-1/63 software) and let you install in yours to find out if its will work for you. (I've gone to a Mk4 nav). that should help narrow down what might be wrong.

the Mk3 in my X5 was the original 3-1/20 and it took me the better part of 8 months to track down how to upgrade the software, AND buy the discs. I just sent them up to Michigan to X5-limo to upgrade his Mk3. If you only need to update your software, I can get him to send you the discs when he is through with them.

no, I did not sell them to him. I sent them to him with the agreement that he would pass them on to others in need of an upgrade.

Let me know if I can help.

Where are you? I am in Midtown and Brian-BMW is out toward Norcross.

Roy. Hi. I am intown as well Inman Park). Still having no luck installing the software. BTW I am doing the MK III upgrade to my wife's navigation system in her 2000 528it wagon, so it's not an X5. I hope it's okay that I posted my question here. Thanks. Ken

kenez - I don't know if my MK3 is compatible (though I can't imagine why not), but the offer is still good - I have friends in Snellville I visit, so it's no imposition.

Thanks. I think trying to install the 3-1/63 software from your disk would be a good idea. It doesn't seem to like my software istallation disk. I have heard MK III units can be picky. I hope that's all it is and nothing more serious. A blank screen scares me. I am going to keep trying but if you are headed this way in the near future I would appeciate the opportunity to try your disk. Just let me know. If I solve it in the meantime I 'll let you know as well.

Are you sure it is coded for a colour screen?

Look for BMWC01S (C= Colour) on a sticky label

If you see BMWM01S then it is a Mono nav and needs to be recoded to colour before you will see a picture.

I couldn't find a sticker referencing the screen color, however, I did determine that my V.28 software disk is mode 1 not mode 2. Does anyone know where I can download a mode 2 version of the software ( I suppose V.28 or higher)? Thanks!

Update. I downloaded V.27 software on a Mac and burned to CD with Toast. It created a disk but still no luck getting it to load in the MK III. Not sure which mode it was (mode 1 or 2). I think I will try again to download using a PC and imgburn. Also, I came across this post and wondered if this applies in my case. If so I am really lost:

NAVIGATION COMPUTER REPLACEMENT - MK III AND DVD NAV
http://www.bmwportal.net/images/new.gifWhen replacing a defective MK III or DVD NAV computer, a configuration signal is required to allow the new computer to load the correct software for its respective application. This is generated by using the SSS (Software Service Station) loaded with the latest Progman version, and the navigation system operating software CD V17.1 or V32.

1. Connect the Deutronic battery charger to the vehicle.
2. Connect the SSS via a diagnostic head or an O(P)PS (for D-CAN vehicles) to the vehicle.
3. Open a "New session" in Progman; select "Load SW" and follow the on-screen messages.
4. Select "Retrofits".
5. Select "Languages".
6. First select "Display" to select and/or check the correct languages.
7. Then select "Navigation" to select the languages for the NAV system.
8. At the prompt "Is the CD-ROM present?" select "Yes", but do not insert the navigation CD into the Nav Computer yet!
9. First select the main language and then an additional language (the choices are English, French, Italian, Spanish, and German).
10. NOTE: The gender of the announcer's voice (male or female) can no longer be selected.
    • MK I, MK II & MK III: Only male.
    • DVD-Top NAV, NAVI01, NAVI02 and NAVI03: Only female.
11. After activation of the automatic coding, the DIS tester tells you to follow the instructions on the monitor for navigation CD installation.
12. Place the navigation CD into the navigation computer CD drive.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide on this.

Kenez, We can use my factory Ver. 24 disk. Call me when you want to try it. I am not home this evening though. MKIII only needs Ver.22 or higher as they are all the same. Brian has a navcoder if it turns out we need it.