Headunit display behavior in the heat

[JHZR2]

I've owned my 135i since new, and primarily drive it in the summer in the heat. Perhaps this was observed before, but I do not recall it. Is the following normal?

Essentially, when the car is heatsoaked from sitting all day in 85+ degree weather, the top lines in the headunit display (mine is the business headunit with hifi stereo option) act funny, with some overdim and some overbright.

Once the car cools down a bit, this goes away, only to reappear after another heatsoak.

Is this normal? Common? Will it cause issues in the long run? I own my car and plan to keep it, but warranty is ending real soon, so I need to know if this is something I should bring up.

Thanks!







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[Downeaster1]

If you still have the factory warranty, they will replace it. Thankfully, these all start going before ~40k miles and the radios that were manufactured after 04/12 have had this issue corrected.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by Downeaster1

the radios that were manufactured after 04/12 have had this issue corrected.

you really think so? this is a known BMW issue for generations of cars. my 2007 e90 did it.

[delta-9-ginseng]

common problem in the heat. If you are still under warranty consider asking them to replace your headunit.

[JHZR2]

I am literally for a few more days so ill do it ASAP. Thanks!

[Sylon]

The headunit doesn't handle extreme temperatures well. Heat and cold will cause issues. In the cold, I've had instances where the radio would just cut out, display would have pixels out, etc. Similar to the problems you're showing in the heat.

I haven't noticed any issues in the heat though. My windows are tinted and I keep a windshield visor in the windshield during the day, regardless of outside temperature. But that's mostly for the foggy film that accumulates on the inside of the windshield caused by the dashboard baking the sun. Maybe something to consider? Also opening the side windows before getting in, briefly running the AC with the windows open to help air out the car might help too. All things I do to cool off the interior.

[bozola]

Yet another post warranty issue with my 1 series...

[Andrewcoja]

I've just accepted it as a fact of life. In the heat it does this. In the extreme cold the display runs really sluggish when scrolling through things.

[Downeaster1]

You can do the repair yourself if you are indeed post-warranty. Much like the E38/E39 cluster missing pixels.

[WGScales]

I've had this issue with an E90 and now with my 128i. Both were replaced under warranty. The only down side is that you lose the sat radio sync and have to re-register the new serial number (not free).

[vertebra]

Not sure what my dealer did but I think they were able to just replace the LED instead of the whole unit because all of my radios presets were exactly as they were before the repair.


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[JHZR2]

well i took the car in. Between us, I could live with it, it doesn't change functionality... YET.

But keyword is yet.

Im planning to keep the car, it only has less than 11k miles on it and I love it. I just don't want any long-term issues.

[bozola]

Unless you live in Dubai, it should be ok.

[Yeineken]

Had this same problem the past few weeks with the heat. Took it right in and BMW is replacing the whole unit. Recommend doing the same if your under warranty.

[Sedona_Red_128]

Mine does this (East Central FL). I can live with it.

[e36addict]

See this a whole lot on E8x E9x cars.. Warranty all day long

[Jockey]

Yep, mine does it all the time in the heat. The headunit still works perfectly fine. After cooling off, all the pixels come back.

I do have to live with it since I'm 2 years out of warranty.

[Jayymose]

It's funny I was just searching for this. Mine has done this since day 1 but I lived with it. Warranty is almost out so Ill get it fixed.