broken volume knob on 2007 e70 x5
 

My 2007 x5 does not have navigation. My radio volume knob is broken. The volume knob wiggles side to side like it's core shaft is broken. One still can press the knob in carefully to turn off and on the radio but one can't twist the knob to change the volume. So I must use the steering wheel volume control and I fear the knob may totally fail and then I will not be able to turn on or off the radio.

One apparently can not just buy the knob but must instead replace the full unit.
Cost of a new radio like $1600?

So can I salvage another a knob from a used navigation unit or must I find a radio only unit which seems harder to find.

Anybody else have this problem?

Bummer about the radio/volume knob. If you find you cannot use the knob to turn on the radio, try the i-Drive knob. I think you can turn on the "Entertainment" using that.

"Core shaft is broken" needs more than a knob to fix.

Doug, I did read that the "core shaft is broken", but does Ron07x5's vehicle have iDrive even though he does not have navigation? If not, disregard the remainder of this post. If he does, then give my suggestion a shot.

I just checked this process in my 09 X5 and it worked. You can turn on the radio by going into the Entertainment zone in iDrive, highlight FM at the top of the screen and <select> by pushing on the iDrive knob. If Ron's X5 does have iDrive he might be able to access his radio for a while until he can get a replacement radio.

Apparently same problem exists on e46. the problem is a circular plastic mount about the size of a half dollar that holds knob breaks at one or more of 3 screw hold down points. For.the e46 but not.the e70 there are diy youtube videos and Bavarian auto sells the mount which would seem worth $5 for $30 which is still way cheaper than the whole radio.
One of the posters here says for about $65 he may be able to fix my problem. I would need to send my radio. What worries me is I might get a radio which doesn't even turn on in return?
I likely will send him my radio

gambling
 

I found a navigation radio head for e70 on ebay cheap. $75 including shipping from Latvia. Ok ebay guarantees deal and seller has good reviews. The gamble is I do not know if volume part will be the same as my non-navigation unit. A small gamble I will post about when I get into it.

Sorry to start this thread up again but I have the same problem on my X5. Have you fixed yours? I took apart my dash and took the radio to an audio repair shop but they wanted $120 which seems like a lot for a volume encoder.

Its not the same problem as on the e46, the mount is not broken, its the actual shaft that needs to be replaced.

I dont think I have ever touched the volume knob in any of my BMW's. FYI you can change the setting for the steering wheel buttons to mute the audio and do what you've been doing for the time being using the volume controls on the wheel.

Yeah I have been using the steering wheel buttons but it kinda bothers me when something doesnt work. I might call up a salvage yard and see if I can get the head unit for a good price.

This may be a unique opportunity to upgrade to Navi as well.

I would definitely be intrested in that

I know this is an old thread but just wanted to say, I got this fixed for $75 at a local electronics repair shop. Just make sure you take the radio out yourself they will charge a lot more to do that too. $75 to fix radio, $195 to remove and fix. If anyone needs instructions on how to remove the radio, let me know.

Now it's my turn! Volume shaft on my e70 I think is broken. It just turns & turns without affecting volume. If you have instructions for unit removal, I would so appreciate you (or anyone else) sharing!

Also, this is a non-nav unit. Has anyone changed out for a nav? Can you tell me if that is all it takes, just inserting a unit with nav, or is there more to it? My wife would be thrilled to have the nav.

I am not sure on switching to nav but to remove the unit:
1. Use a trim removal tool or your fingers to remove the vents (pry from the bottom) and disconnect the cables.
2. You will see two screws, remove them.
3. Everything else is held in by clips, just pull everything out carefully (trim removal tools will be very helpful.
4. Unplug all the cables.
5. The only thing that is left in the dash is the radio.
6. The radio is held to the cd player with plastic hooks, just slide the radio to the left and it will come off, the last thing is to disconnect the cable and thats it.
Just be careful not to break anything. Good luck!

Thanks, uran! I am going to try shopping around for the replacement volume control part before I tear into it, though. Might look into a used nav unit while I am looking. If anyone knows if a different screen, control panel, wiring harness, or software, etc. is required in order to convert to nav, I would appreciate your chiming in!

OK, purchased an "Alps Rotary Encoder EC11 Arduino EC11B0924802 Rotary Switch" off eBay and replaced my old volume encoder with it. It actually worked! The shaft is slightly longer than the original but it looks fine anyway (see pic). Had a devil of a time soldering it in. Thought I had been totally unsuccessful with my soldering (and I'm an old master at soldering). Was sure I had screwed it up. Decided to reinstall it anyway to see what would happen. Would have bet a thousand $$ that it would not work. Reinstalled in the vehicle, and it works perfectly. This encoder has "detents", so you feel little bumps as you turn the volume control, whereas the original was all smooth motion. I actually like the detents better. I recommend for anyone else with this problem, get the part and find a professional to solder in for you, even if you pay $100 or so for them to do it. Part was only about $1.30 but around $5 for shipping from Poland.

I will mention that most of my plastic hooks (mentioned in uran's removal instructions) broke off during removal. I just snapped it all back into place anyway. The bezel seems to hold it in place just fine. I imagine one could tape it with a piece of Gorilla Tape across the top of the head unit (but out of sight), if necessary.

Nice, you got it fixed for 6 bucks! Didn't know there was any aftermarket encoders.

Yes.
 

Ron, I have the same problem. The issue is a broken electronic volume encoder on the circuit board. If you can find one, a small electronics (like cell phone) repair person should be able to fix it.

Here's a picture of the piece on the circuit board.

Sorry to bring up a thread from the dead, I've checked recently on eBay and can't find this rotary switch anymore, anyone have a few links PM me if possible thanks