Slightly sticky (matron) iDrive keys

diceyDC · Post by **diceyDC** » Mon Jun 19, 2023 6:03 pm

Afternoon all - like many of you I suspect, a major climate disaster appears to be making convertible driving a dream, but I've just noticed the top part of the iDrive button set (so Nav, Menu, Radio) ect getting a bit 'sticky' when you press them - anyone else had this, and any wonderfully simple bits of advice??
If not, I presume I'm pulling it out and taking a look underneath...

Chippie · Post by **Chippie** » Mon Jun 19, 2023 6:50 pm

Only issue I’ve had has been the knob being stiff to turn, but only in the winter when it’s been cold, rightly or wrongly I sprayed some silicone around the base and gave it a good twiddle which got it moving freely again.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Mon Jun 19, 2023 6:56 pm

Reach forward. Grip the big round bit in front of you. Drive!
Sort the i-drive when the weather is crap

matsmith749 · Post by **matsmith749** » Mon Jun 19, 2023 11:08 pm

It's likely age & heat.

When it cools down I expect they will feel fine

In the meantime a gentle clean with general purpose cleaner might help a bit, but the rubber coating on these keys does age & eventually rot - not much you can do if it gets really bad.

Replacement units are out there for not too much money if it is killing you.

If on the other hand the surface is fine, but the button action is sticky - that's an easy fix. Get some switch cleaner & spray it in liberally. I use servisol.

diceyDC · Post by **diceyDC** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 6:13 am

Thanks as ever folks - I do love the pragmatism that flows liberally from this forum! Shall look for servisol as well Matt, is that one of those silicone jobs?

matsmith749 · Post by **matsmith749** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 11:27 am

It's switch cleaner - don't use silicone

AnubisZed · Post by **AnubisZed** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:46 pm

Jump to 1:53 on this video on how to get to the buttons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR22CZ82Ldc

And here on how to get the iDrive controller out to start with...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY4XAzUYiXk&t=150s

Hope that helps

diceyDC · Post by **diceyDC** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 10:03 pm

Excellent - thanks again fellas

mcbutler · Post by **mcbutler** » Wed Jun 21, 2023 10:48 pm

diceyDC wrote: ↑Mon Jun 19, 2023 6:03 pm Afternoon all - like many of you I suspect, a major climate disaster appears to be making convertible driving a dream, but I've just noticed the top part of the iDrive button set (so Nav, Menu, Radio) ect getting a bit 'sticky' when you press them - anyone else had this, and any wonderfully simple bits of advice??
If not, I presume I'm pulling it out and taking a look underneath...

Mine is like that when i take it out of storage in the spring, soon loosens up though...

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