Couple of X5 radio issues
 

I detail cars for a family that has a few X5's. They've had the typical gamut of air suspension issues and broken coolant overflow tanks, oil separators, etc . . .

All 4.8is models. Three '06 models and one '05.

The '05 seems to have a radio amplifier problem. The radio will work fine, then the sound just goes away, and then it comes back. It's usually good when you first start it, and within 15-20 minutes, the problems begin. Doesn't matter if it's CD's, tape, or radio. I'm feeling it's a failing amp or wiring leading to or from the amp. As with all the other issues these vehicles typically come up with, I'm sure this isn't the only one that's ever done this. Any advice on a fix?

Last week, an '06, the least used one with only about 15,000 very easy miles on it, simply lost the radio altogether. No warning, no intermittent failures. I got in the car to take it to where we clean them up and I was simply unable to get anything "radio" related to come up on the screen. When I press the left (on-off and volume) round button, the little orange light comes on, but nothing shows on the screen to indicate am or fm or anything. No sound. Steering wheel buttons that would run radio functions also do nothing at all. The NAV still works. The Bluetooth still connects with the phone and works perfectly. Sounds fine, volume of the phone is adjustable but it's like the radio isn't there anymore. Fuses are fine. Units on both are bone stock BMW stereos.


Ideas on that one?

Thanks in advance for your insights.



Gar

i have the same problem as the 05 but only when im playing CD's it would play fine then just cut off and start back whenever it wants or it would skip like if the cd was scratched

I too have had the radio go out to lunch on my 06 X5. Everytime this has happened, I pull every fuse out of the back that is associated with the radio ( 2 fuses I believe ). then turn try to turn on the radio. then turn the ignition off and replace the fuses and the radio has always came back on with no problems. I *think* my problem has to do with pressing the power button before the radio has initialized and that confuses it. Hope this helps get your tunes back up and running :)

I will give that a try. I think the '05 has some sort of genuine electrical wiring or amplifier problem, but the low-mile '06 should respond to the fuse removal quick fix. I'll report back when I find out. I was hesitant to remove the battery cable and re-attach like some have suggested as X5's seem to be very particular about their battery power and voltage. Sometimes you can just toss a fresh battery in them with no problems, other times you need to have that new battery "initialized" to the system or there will be problems. I've never seen a vehicle so picky about voltage.


Gar

You sure the batteries are good on those cars? If they are original and the cars don't get driven much they may not hold a good charge.

These cars are very problematic when an unhealthy battery is present, if it was my car I'd replace the battery if it was original if not just for peace of mind.

You could always do the OBC test 9 I believe which checks alternator voltage as well, SlickGT1 had recent problems with an overvoltage which was solved by a new voltage regulator for a 100 bucks on his 4.8is.

The X5's up to 06 you are OK to change / disconnect the battery with no problems. You will just need to turn your wheel lock-to-lock to clear the 4x4 light on the dash. It's the 07's and up that require the "initialization" of the new battery.

i sent mine to the UK and it was fixed and works fine now. It was a bm53. [email protected]

Have the same problem... Check battery its 84%. Ceck fuses thought it was somewhere there. Guess not. Just happened today,, 4x4 lights on an radio shuts off n on when voltage peaks.. Turn off car.,. Wait a minute. Back to normal,,, figure it is alternator.... Time to find a good one.. I seen DIY here for earlier model,,, how hard is it to change it. Any diy for 4.8is before i end up paying my stealer looks hard from looking inder the hood from youtube video not bad. Mechanic charging 2.5hrs labor,,,

I don't know if the E53's have the same problem as the E39's did, but I remember somewhere something about a bracket covering up a vent on the amp, causing it to heat up under certain conditions and shutting down intermittently.... Does anyone know what I am talking about? Perhaps this is what's happening?

no, picture may help...

a few things
 

Gar - a few things to keep in mind

most importantly

#1) if they are ever looking to sell a vehicle pm me first:thumbup:

#2) Battery swap out should not take longer than about a half hour at most BUT make certain you are in an area where you are prepared for the electrical to be shut off. That is, remember once you remove the battery that if you were to shut either a door or the back tail gate and it was locked -- then you will be SOL. So my advice would be to leave ALL of the doors open and the gate down prior to removing old battery.

#3) there is a safety cable on the one of the terminals (left side, [- neg] I believe. Don't accidentally loosen this cable. Let it be. In fact make sure it and all cables when re-attached to new battery are very tight (but don't over force)

If you haven't replaced the battery ever or its been awhile you should just do it. I had an issue with a battery purchased from ADV Auto parts that was D.O.A. about 48 hours after purchase. This was after I inquired as to the shelf life before purchasing. It turns out that you will want to purchase the battery and insist on a full charge at the store before picking it up. This will take about 4 hours, so plan ahead or if you have a charger do it yourself prior to install. These batteries can sit for months on the shelf.

#4) Finally, check out page 19, post #183, scroll to no. 31 (Speed Sensitive Volume)

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...e53-x5-19.html

Others can chime on on the technical aspects of my theory but the X's have a Speed Sensitive Radio option that can be turned on or off. It is tied to the wheel sensor for speed and I have found can be finicky as the X ages ( your talking about an '06). Maybe I am reaching but if your SSV for the radio is turned on, you may want to simply turn it off and see if that helps.

I have changed out the batteries on this and a few other E53 X5's over the years. It's been hit or miss as to the success of just pulling the old one and installing the new one. Some of them tolerate the swap fine, others need to be hooked up to BMW's supercomputer to "initialize" them whatever that means. I have never dealt with a vehicle so sensitive to voltage.

I'm going to look for chafed wires on the '05 with the amplifier problem. Maybe I'll get lucky. As far as the '06 goes, I'll do the fuse pulling trick and see if that lights the radio back up in the system.

Elvis, most of the collection was sold off a couple of years ago, but they still have two near zero mile 2006 4.8is models in the storage facility, a few Z8's, an a couple early M6's, along with some muscle cars and a couple Benz's.

They really love their E53's and that's why there are a couple of extras. I start them and drive them a few miles every month or two.

BTW, that hidden features link is pretty cool. I know about most of that stuff but there were a few I'm going to pass on to the owners.



Gar