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-   -   E39 Retrofit Sat Nav - Problems with Mk3 to Mk4 upgrade (https://xoutpost.com/electronics/navigation-system/76711-e39-retrofit-sat-nav-problems-mk3-mk4-upgrade.html)

ChrisE39 10-27-2010 03:51 AM

E39 Retrofit Sat Nav - Problems with Mk3 to Mk4 upgrade
 
Hi All,

I am a newbie to the forum and I was looking for some help on a sat nav problem. I am trying to retrofit a MK4 unit into a 2002 E39 525d Touring, to replace the original MK3 unit.

After reading a lot of the posts on various sites including on here, I stumped up the cash for a MK4 unit to replace my slightly dated looking MK3 CD based unit. I thought it was a case of getting the unit, plugging it in, sticking in the DVD and away I go, but I have not been so lucky :mad:

So - here is the problem:

1) MK3 unit working fine - all functions work
2) MK4 unit, plugged in and powers up (LED flashes etc) seems to be reading the disc
3) Blank nav screen (but backlit) and nothing happens, screen does not work or intermittently works when the TV tuner takes over (looks horrible!) - radio etc. still working
4) Tried the update of MK4 with drivers door open, boot open etc. that is available on most sat nav threads - did not do anything and the unit was ejecting the DVD after 1 minute or so
5) I have taken the unit to BMW to be coded to the car, but BMW say that it is not possible to retrofit the DVD unit to my car?
6) MK3 unit back in :-( - working fine.

So I guess my question is - is there any reason why the unit I have would not work with my system. The DVD unit I have is actually out of a 2002 525 Touring (told by BMW - not that I think it matters!) so I cannot see any reason why it would not work.

The Technician at BMW said that the unit was manufactured 6 months later than my car, therefore it would not work.

I have a suspicion that because they did not supply the unit, they dont want to fit it (understandably) but on the plus side of wasting 2 hours of my day, I got a free valet! :-)

I hope this post is not too long and waffly, missing any information or broken any forum rules (I am a newbie!)and anny help sat nav gurus could provide would be great.

Thanks in advance

Chris

big bob 10-27-2010 06:53 AM

Could be a dead nav drive. Search for "white screen".

Brian-bmw 10-27-2010 07:02 AM

It is likely that the MKIV is coded for the monochrome "Business" nav system. This uses a simple four-line display on an in-dash radio. It will not display to a LCD screen in that configuration. You can get NavCoder and recode the MKIV for your "Professional" system.

Here is a thread that tells you a little more about it. But, it is old, so we have since figured out how to correct the problem.
http://www.xoutpost.com/electronics/...rome-mkiv.html

Here is another thread with a number of posts about the eventual fix using NavCoder.
http://www.xoutpost.com/electronics/...te-screen.html

ChrisE39 10-27-2010 12:11 PM

Possible Solution
 
Awesome Brian, after reading various posts I checked the sticker on the top of the unit and it looks like it is coded to Monochrome. I am going to head to my local garage (has the BMW kit) and try and get it coded to read colour.... Will keep you posted but it looks positive!

Thanks

Chris

Roy in GA 10-27-2010 12:45 PM

My MKIV came from a German car and Brian used navcoder to recode it from monochrome to color several years ago. Works fine. I have also seen a BMW SIB which tells what to do when installing a brand new replacement MKIV to match the system, color or monochrome. The dealers just don't want to admit they don't know how to follow the BMW instructions. It is easier for them to just stiff you.

big bob 10-27-2010 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisE39 (Post 777619)
Awesome Brian, after reading various posts I checked the sticker on the top of the unit and it looks like it is coded to Monochrome. I am going to head to my local garage (has the BMW kit) and try and get it coded to read colour.... Will keep you posted but it looks positive!

Thanks

Chris

I could be wrong but I don't think their SW will do what Jochen's Navcoder does. I sent you a PM.

KiwiJochen 10-27-2010 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisE39 (Post 777619)
Awesome Brian, after reading various posts I checked the sticker on the top of the unit and it looks like it is coded to Monochrome. I am going to head to my local garage (has the BMW kit) and try and get it coded to read colour.... Will keep you posted but it looks positive!

Thanks

Chris

Don't waste your time going to the garage. Unless the garage has NavCoder, because almost all BMW tools cannot change the nav output mode.

But NavCoder can...

ChrisE39 10-28-2010 04:30 PM

Still trying
 
OK all,

Thanks for the feedback and only saw kiwijochen's post after being to the Garage - and you were spot on their kit could not do it - though I did have some fun testing all the lights etc. and generally checking that my E39 is in fine shape (other than the sat nav :-)).

So - I guess my next question is how do I get it coded? I don't have Navcoder or any kind of interface so should I buy one - and if so where from?

If I did get hold of one from somewhere, are there instructions on how to do it somewhere as whilst I am fairly technically savvy, this would be my first attempt at coding anything on a car!

Thanks for all your help so far and any further you provide!

Chris

ChrisE39 10-28-2010 04:53 PM

Resler interface
 
Further research is pointing to buying a Resler interface and using Navcoder as KiwiJochen says....

Is the Resler interface easy to hook up? Is it just a case of unplugging the CD changer, plug in the interface and then use NavCoder to change the unit to colour rather than Monochrome?

Also - is there anyone around the Thames Valley area that has Navcoder and a Resler interface :D

Thanks again guys - pretty steep learning curve on this one!

Chris

big bob 10-28-2010 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big bob (Post 777627)
I sent you a PM.

...


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