Sirius presets and iDrive issues
 

So last night my wife and I came back from a vacation in Texas that lasted 11 days. I came back to a sagging rear end (air ride, yay), and knew that the battery was probably a bit low. So when my wife started the car, she got the expected low-battery's warnings, and iDrive wouldn't work, the display remained black and wouldn't even progress to the BMW load screen. I had figured that the car probably needed to be reset or something, so I did a bit of digging and found out how to reset the iDrive (press and hold MUTE-DVD-CD EJECT buttons.). IDrive booted up just fine after a few seconds, then seemed to go through a period or gathering GPS data and linking to Sirius. Finally her music came on, and I was able to scroll through iDrive like normal, but I discovered that the radio no longer had the stored presets (or won't switch to them) and won't store any new presets. I can use the other functions of the iDrive just fine, like reading car status and the navigation features, it seems to be isolated to the radio.

Any ideas about what could possibly be causing this? I like BMWs, but it feels like these cars are the touchiest possible machines, and that even the smallest voltage-related issues cause them no end to glitches and a gremlins that seem to happen for no other earthly reason than to cause an unlucky owner to drive/tow their vehicle to a service center. Thanks in advance, folks.

There is a software/firmware bug with the Sirius since an update was download over the satellite channel many years ago.

I finally was able to get the Sirius presets to work in my E70 after A LOT of searching and some trial and error. Even the info I found on line was not 100%.

What I recall was I had to disconnect the Sirius module and/or MOST interface. I may removed a fuse or 2, do not recall 100%.

But I also found out after I got is all sorted that it was also key specific and I do not think my wife's key will allow Sirius presets, but she is a FM Pop radio junkie, so for the short term it is fine that there are no Sirius presets on the wifes key.

WARNING, Sirius claims it is a BMW problem, BMW claims its a Sirius problem. I think the permanent fix is a iDrive/Sirius update???

If I find any of the links I used, I will post them back here for review.

cannot save sirius/xm presets after sirius update - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

Radio Preset Issues - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF1lCBXAE0s

If you can find BMW SI B65 48 06, this is the written bulletin with the details about the Sirius preset problem.

Bulletin link in this thread - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums - View Single Post - cannot save sirius/xm presets after sirius update

You guys rock, thanks!

Okay, so update to my problem.

Twice now I have had to use the three-button iDrive reset on the car (eject-eject-mute) to get iDrive to start working again. From my perspective, it seems like it does this every time the car is started. Seems to me like the problem goes deeper than simply a problem with the Sirius interface, and maybe deeper down into iDrive itself. Anyone have similar experiences with this? Should I still deal with the tedium of trying to reprogram my Sirius, or is there something else that I should try to troubleshoot?

And just to verify that the problem wasn't a low charge/low voltage state with the battery, I had the battery on a battery tender after identifying that the battery charge was low, when I returned from my trip. The battery itself has been installed in the car for less than 18 months, and I replaced my alternator at the same time. Battery terminals and the power and grounding cables are clean and corrosion-free.

I tried the reset/reprogram of the radio with the youtube video, and it initially seemed to work, I was able to get the radio to store presets on Sirius just fine. But just now, my wife reported to me that the radio/nav froze, then went black while she was driving. When the radio came back on, she was unable to mute the radio.

Sounds like a more serious (Sirius?) issue than just the radio presets. Should I be looking into a new CCC for my car?

Check your charging system carefully.,

Meaning?

The car has a new alternator, the battery is new as well, both replaced within the last 18 months. The cables are in good shape, and there is no corrosion on the cable terminals or the battery posts.

Just because the alternator and battery have been replaced does not mean they are good and working properly.

You have a problem with the Rain Sensing Wipers and the iDrive/Radio all at the same time. Seems a bit like there may a relationship.

I have found the E70 does not notify the driver of a problem with the charging system under a few driving conditions.

I run an Ultra Gauge with alarm thresholds for Voltage and in the past few months on a few occasions I have had my Ultra Gauge alarm that there was Low Voltage. I had no charging what so ever for a number of miles until I pull over and shut the engine off and restarted the vehicle.

No warning of a no charging situation on the vehicle.