JB4 vs Radio

[BMWRX]

So my radio died weeks ago in the MY09 135i. I took it to BMW and was hit with a quote for $1400 to replace it. Went to an independent workshop who was able to reset it and get it working but noted that the JB4 was the cause and he'd seen it before. Is this a common problem and is there a patch to fix it?

[JB4-335]

I love it when they say they've seen it before but actually never really have. It's not possible that the JB4 was the cause here. There's well over tens of thousands of JB4's around but this is the first I've heard of this issue and I've had the JB tune for over 5 years.

Glad you got it sorted.

[Ghent]

what was the name of the independent shop? I want to make sure I don't go there.

No way this was caused by JB4 - it doesn't interface with the radio at all

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by JB4-335

I love it when they say they've seen it before but actually never really have. It's not possible that the JB4 was the cause here. There's well over tens of thousands of JB4's around but this is the first I've heard of this issue and I've had the JB tune for over 5 years.

Glad you got it sorted.

Originally Posted by Ghent

what was the name of the independent shop? I want to make sure I don't go there.

No way this was caused by JB4 - it doesn't interface with the radio at all

Also curious which workshop it was but at least they were able to get it working. Find it bizzare that they were looking in your ECU box though.

[BMW86]

If it were my money I'd spend $1400 on a sweet exhaust and forget the radio

[BMWRX]

It wasn't any of the places that have been mentioned on here. It was their diagnosis having experienced the same problem previously (apparently). At the end of the day they got the radio working when BMW said it's knackered so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

It was surprising how much it upset me at the mention of having to take the JB4 out.

[Moocow]

Get a Cobb unit, it just programs the computer, doesn't remain plugged in

[Dackelone]

Well... I know IF you remove the factory radio you can not update the engine SW. So having a piggy tune burn up the radio isn't that far fetched. But it is the first time I have heard of this.

As for how many JB3/4's were sold... I doubt its in the tens of thousands. Maybe a few thousand. There are lots of ther tunes out there too.

[BMWhoarder]

Actually the JB4 can communicate with the radio, so there is a very slight chance of it doing something.

There is a setting that will power off the radio when changing in-dash settings so you arent constantly changing tracks/volume.

[Kkuba]

Originally Posted by ba114

Actually the JB4 can communicate with the radio, so there is a very slight chance of it doing something.

There is a setting that will power off the radio when changing in-dash settings so you arent constantly changing tracks/volume.

Where is this setting? I need this.

[BMWhoarder]

Originally Posted by Kkuba

Where is this setting? I need this.

Menu 6-6 for non-idrive
Menu 6-7 for 2009+ idrive

Menu 6-5 disables the auto-radio off setting.

[BMWRX]

Ok, update time. The audio and JB4 have been living in harmony for about two weeks now and no issues.

One thing I have noticed is that the speakers sound way better than before. I've got the Alpine upgrade so could it have been possible that something in the software wasn't upgraded by BMW during the install and when fixed up by the independent the software was also sorted out?

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by BMWRX

Ok, update time. The audio and JB4 have been living in harmony for about two weeks now and no issues.

One thing I have noticed is that the speakers sound way better than before. I've got the Alpine upgrade so could it have been possible that something in the software wasn't upgraded by BMW during the install and when fixed up by the independent the software was also sorted out?

Glad to hear it's sorted Craig

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by BMWRX

Ok, update time. The audio and JB4 have been living in harmony for about two weeks now and no issues.

One thing I have noticed is that the speakers sound way better than before. I've got the Alpine upgrade so could it have been possible that something in the software wasn't upgraded by BMW during the install and when fixed up by the independent the software was also sorted out?

Yea.. the radio has to be coded for the Alpine kit/amp. IF not it still works(sound) but it doesn't sound as good as it should.

Dack