Radio display disappears when hot.

Flexo · 05-08-2014, 01:47 PM

When my '08 135i heats up in the sun the radio display fades out to nothing. It will be a garbled mess of pixels until the car cools down or sits in the shade for a while. As the car cools it gradually comes back. Note, the car is not unbearably hot. It's not above 75 degrees F today.

Anyone have an idea what the problem is and/or any fix? Is this common?

Note, the climate display is perfect.

Here are some pics when it's on its way back to full brightness.

SayHack · 05-08-2014, 11:06 PM

I have the same exact problem...living in California where in the summer times its 120 degrees inside the car, it completely fades away. BMW probably cut corners and didn't realize the consequence...so to answer your questions, it's "normal" but the picture you have, mine will be that stage when it's 85 or so.

Adam135 · 05-09-2014, 04:43 AM

I had this same problem. The fix is to swap out the head unit. They will do it under warranty. Hasn't happened ever since.

Flexo · 05-09-2014, 10:42 PM

Sadly, I am out of warranty and can't fathom how much they'd rape me for a new head unit. Was hoping it was a loose connection that I could fix myself.

Adam135 · 05-10-2014, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flexo

Sadly, I am out of warranty and can't fathom how much they'd rape me for a new head unit. Was hoping it was a loose connection that I could fix myself.

Setup an alert on ebay for a replacement headunit. But it might require programming, not sure.

Flexo · 05-10-2014, 06:45 PM

If I buy a used unit from another car what would I need to to to make it work? I understand they are coded to the car. Anyone know what that would cost to do? I have a OBD2 reader, would that allow me to do it myself?

05-08-2014, 01:47 PM	#1
Flexo New Member 2 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: May 2014 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (0)	Radio display disappears when hot. When my '08 135i heats up in the sun the radio display fades out to nothing. It will be a garbled mess of pixels until the car cools down or sits in the shade for a while. As the car cools it gradually comes back. Note, the car is not unbearably hot. It's not above 75 degrees F today. Anyone have an idea what the problem is and/or any fix? Is this common? Note, the climate display is perfect. Here are some pics when it's on its way back to full brightness. Attached Images Last edited by Flexo; 05-08-2014 at 10:30 PM..
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05-08-2014, 11:06 PM	#2
SayHack Private First Class 37 Rep 131 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 128i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW [0.00]	I have the same exact problem...living in California where in the summer times its 120 degrees inside the car, it completely fades away. BMW probably cut corners and didn't realize the consequence...so to answer your questions, it's "normal" but the picture you have, mine will be that stage when it's 85 or so.
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05-09-2014, 04:43 AM	#3
Adam135 Captain 72 Rep 961 Posts Drives: 2014 435i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	I had this same problem. The fix is to swap out the head unit. They will do it under warranty. Hasn't happened ever since.
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05-09-2014, 10:42 PM	#4
Flexo New Member 2 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: May 2014 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (0)	Sadly, I am out of warranty and can't fathom how much they'd rape me for a new head unit. Was hoping it was a loose connection that I could fix myself.
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05-10-2014, 06:45 PM	#6
Flexo New Member 2 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: May 2014 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (0)	If I buy a used unit from another car what would I need to to to make it work? I understand they are coded to the car. Anyone know what that would cost to do? I have a OBD2 reader, would that allow me to do it myself? Last edited by Flexo; 05-10-2014 at 08:44 PM..
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