Navigation/Radio problem
 

I have a 2001 bmw x5 4.4i alpina (don't think that matters) but my nav screen is black doesn't turn on it just flickers and radio works but it will turn on for like 3 mins and then shuts off. I can turn it off and back on but it will do the same thing. What can the problem be? Is it the fuses? Or can I buy an aftermarket nav and replace it ? I heard someone on this forum did that and solved the problem but not quite sure. Please help!

welcome to the forum...

the nav flickering, radio coming on and off - it is not a fuse... fuse, once blown, stays blown, and the circuit stays without power...

this could be a poor contact, a knicked, chaffed, broken wire, or a wire that intermittently grounds - you need to check the harness to see if you can visually spot the problem... once the harness from the nav is in your hands, you can knead it to see if the problem manifests itself... same goes for the radio harness...

in general, you need to get a better understanding of when the problem happens, and if the problem is related to any external force or event... you might have a defective nav unit, radio unit, both or neither...

and, of course, you can rip out the original system and stick in an aftermarket... I am not fan of such systems, but in a 12-14 year old car, the opinion of a "purist" is useless, the 20 year old technology is not up to par with today's gadgets...

many on this forum have done both - the troubleshooting and resolution of their problems, and retrofitting of aftermarket devices... your choice...

as far as "alpina"... not sure if the E53 had Alpina's involvement, other than 4.6iS engine influence, and possibly (even more remote possibility!) the 4.8iS influence...

Tell us more about your ride, always willing to learn something new... Maybe you have one of the limited "hockey editions" E53?

Thanks for the reply!! I'm not mechinically inclined so could you be a bit more specific?

I removed the nav unit from the dash and also uncovered the radio module on the trunk under the spare tire but no wire seems to be broken or damaged, it came with this problem when I bought it and it doesn't have to do with outside forces I don't think it just does it all the time.

I'm not picky with sticking the the original part or aftermarket as long as it works and I can listen to music without it turning out every 3 minutes lol

I bought the x5 this year it has badges that say alpina on it and under the hood it says alpinweiss III 300/0 not sure it the 2 are related but it's a nice white and haven't seen one in the city like it so I'm not sure, has 22" rims on it I'm getting it done up for summer cause I'm going for the whole white and black look!

Do you have a DSP system. Check the Nav menu for the DSP, if you do it most probably is the amp in left side panel in trunk that is bad


Ted
(262) 682-0894

The unit in the dash is a monitor, the nav computer is in the trunk of the car, in the left side pocket, where the amp, the CD changer, the bluetooth unit, the voice control SES unit would be... the monitor has nothing to do with radio cutting in and out (unless there is a short in the harness where the monitor is, which is less likely if nobody messed with it, like poking for an AUX connector).

Radio cutting in and out is a known issue with BM53 radios which requires an actual repair to the radio (there is fellow in UK, Baris, he is worldwide known and he does excellent job repairing defective/broken BM53s and BM54, also upgrades their firmware and introduces additional inputs, like an AUX in models that did not have the AUX from the factory. Do a search for his name, he should come up on many BMW forums)

However, before deeming your radio as defective, you should do some basic troubleshooting... As a matter of fact, once you find Baris and his website, he might offer better troubleshooting technics, as he is specializing in these problems...

As far as Alpinweiss III 300 - it is a paint color code for a white color, nothing to do with Alpina...

However, Alpina badges - I am not aware of Alpina actually modifying the E53 but I could be wrong... Lets see if other folks can chime in...

How about some pictures?

Do you have a DSP system. Check the Nav menu for the DSP, if you do it most probably is the amp in left side panel in trunk that is bad


Ted
(262) 682-0894

Kinda hard to check the Nav Screen for DSP if the nav screen is blank!!!!

There are NO aftermarket head units that will work with BMW DSP system. If you want to use an after market head unit with Nav you will need to rewire the entire truck.

If I do go with Baris what part do I send him the radio module correct? If the monitor doesn't have anything wrong with it will getting the radio module fixed repair the blank flickering screen or ?

I will be uploading pictures soon ! :)

If I do go with Baris what part do I send him the radio module correct? If the monitor doesn't have anything wrong with it will getting the radio module fixed repair the blank flickering screen or ? Do you or anyone know the website for Baris or email? Thanks!

I will be uploading pictures soon ! :)

Yeah I figured it would have to be rewired because the connectors on a aftermarket head unit are no where near the same as the original nav unit
Thanks!