Slightly sticky (matron) iDrive keys

[diceyDC]

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]

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]

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

 

[matsmith749]

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]

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]

It's switch cleaner - don't use silicone

 

[AnubisZed]

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]

Excellent - thanks again fellas

 

[mcbutler]

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...