Intermittant radio

[JonZ4G]

Really bizarre this.
The radio in our 2003 Z sometimes works, sometimes doesn't.
Turn the ignition key and it seems like pot luck whether the radio comes on or not.

I think it must be the head unit as if we get lucky and the radio works, if we turn it off mid journey, it doesn't come back on.

Any thoughts on what could be up..?

Thanks

Jon

 

[AlanJ]

Worth pulling the unit out and checking all the connections are fully fitted as a start - may be one has just worked its way loose over the years.

 

[Woots]

Does the CD player function work? Or is it just no power to the head unit? If not its time to get a fluke out

 

[JonZ4G]

Thanks for the replies.
Does the head unit just pull out with a little persuasion from something flat and long, or is there a standard approach..?

Woots,
There's power to the unit, so the display works, just no sound from the radio or cd...no speaker buzz if i turn the volume up to full..

It's odd.

Jon

 

[KPStratton]

Do you have an amp in the boot at all?

I had what sounds like exactly the same issue with mine recently. Mine turned out to be the Amp that was cutting in and out at random.

Had it diagnosed and repaired for £195 by Colin of http://www.bmwgm5.info/

I found that with my amp, if It was unplugged and then plugged back in, it would work but then would cut out when it fancied, so maybe worth a check

 

[Stuart Truman]

Thanks for the replies.
Does the head unit just pull out with a little persuasion from something flat and long, or is there a standard approach..?

Woots,
There's power to the unit, so the display works, just no sound from the radio or cd...no speaker buzz if i turn the volume up to full..

It's odd.

Jon

If you don't have an external amp, the internal one can fail and there are repair kits available via fleabay etc but do as suggested and check connections, fuses (if an external amp) etc

To remove the head unit, remove the air vents above it, there are two clips tucked away in the top, you'll need a flat bladed screwdriver. They just pull out as one unit and you'll then see a couple of Tor-x screws to release the head unit

 

[JonZ4G]

There's no external amp in the boot so it sounds like a trip to an auto electrician. 'Tis weird because it's all or nothing and only once or twice has the radio come on while driving, so to me it doesn't sound like a loose connection somewhere (I can drive to the supermarket with the radio working and then 10 minutes later, start the car and nothing...then it's pot luck if it comes on next time you turn the key!

Thanks for your replies.

 

[Stuart Truman]

Not sure if you have nav or not, but don't get sucked into paying too much for a repair, you can pick up a second hand head unit from eBay or a breakers

I can't remember which model number the head unit is, but if you search for Becker BM24 BM54 repair kit you'll see the sort of thing that's available

 

[JonZ4G]

Ah, so the internal amp is actually in the head unit, so replacement head would sort it out...if that was the issue?

 

[Stuart Truman]

If that is your issue. Get it checked first. If you have cubby holes in the bulkhead behind the seats, you don't have an external amp (unless a previous owner fitted an aftermarket one) so it should be as simple as diagnosing the head unit

 

[JonZ4G]

Bit of an update and thanks to KPStratton who's hit the nail on the head.... I didn't realise that we had the upgraded sound system, so we do indeed have the amp in the boot.

We also had an episode recently where the roof drains were blocked and so the boot, in particular the battery bad would flood, hence a wet amp.

KP...how bad was the damage to the amp to allow a repair, the diagnostic dude who told me the cause of the failure said I needed new, but they are difficult to source..?

Hoping to find a replacement and the search is underway!

Jon

 

[KPStratton]

My amp failed due to some slight water ingress into the boot. In terms of how bad it was, I wouldn't be able to speculate!

Have you been in touch with Colin (link in previous post)? He will be able to point you in the right direction, or better still can test the amp and advise of whether it is repairable!

 

[bcworkz]

If it worked occasionally even though it was sitting in water, it may just need to be properly dried out. Some have had luck drying out electronics by partly disassembling and then packing it all in uncooked rice for several days. Clean off any obvious scum before reassembling.