speakers stop/start

olds350 · 11-20-2018, 07:46 AM

Had an odd thing happen yesterday evening on the way out to eat diner. I had all but the front left speakers die on me. Right and rear speakers were dead. I made a left into the restaurant and the speakers came back to life. I figure I have a loose connection. Has anyone had this happen before? Seems a bit odd.

I also have the iDrive on my 128. I guess the question is, where do I start looking and how do I pull the radio out of the dash or at least get my hand back up behind the components to check connections?

________ · 11-20-2018, 07:53 AM

That happened to me once when my aux connection under the armrest got loose.

If you were listening to the radio that's different.

Taking the head unit off is simple, you have to pry the center pieces out from the bottom, under the HVAC controls.

olds350 · 11-20-2018, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnerDriver

That happened to me once when my aux connection under the armrest got loose.

If you were listening to the radio that's different.

Taking the head unit off is simple, you have to pry the center pieces out from the bottom, under the HVAC controls.

Good point, but as far as I can tell, it was the head unit. I do listen to music via a USB drive, but to test, I switched over to the radio and started adjusting the fade and balance. With the indicators biased towards the right and rear speakers, I had nothing.

I'm assuming from an iDrive perspective that the dash video display is just that, a display and unit under the HVAC is the actual radio/head unit.

________ · 11-20-2018, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olds350

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnerDriver

That happened to me once when my aux connection under the armrest got loose.

If you were listening to the radio that's different.

Taking the head unit off is simple, you have to pry the center pieces out from the bottom, under the HVAC controls.

Good point, but as far as I can tell, it was the head unit. I do listen to music via a USB drive, but to test, I switched over to the radio and started adjusting the fade and balance. With the indicators biased towards the right and rear speakers, I had nothing.

I'm assuming from an iDrive perspective that the dash video display is just that, a display and unit under the HVAC is the actual radio/head unit.

Yup

olds350 · 11-20-2018, 08:35 AM

I have some plastic pry tools. Where is the best placement for those to get the head unit out?

agusszalai · 11-20-2018, 08:56 AM

this could happend because of an electrical problem or an aux cable problem. check if there are any scratches on it!

olds350 · 11-20-2018, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agusszalai

this could happend because of an electrical problem or an aux cable problem. check if there are any scratches on it!

Scratches on what? I have the USB thumb drive plugged directly into the port, not using any cables, but I think that's besides the point since I lost speakers using just the radio...

olds350 · 11-20-2018, 02:55 PM

Looked at youtube and there's a gracious amount of video that show how to remove the radio, so I have that covered. I'm doubting that I have a loose connection in back of the unit. I know 1's are a bit more rare as compared to the e9x. So my question is, if I need to replace the head unit, will one from a e9x fit assuming it's for the iDrive? They look remarkably the same when I look at my e91 vs the e88. Just asking in case I need to buy a used unit...

________ · 11-20-2018, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olds350

Looked at youtube and there's a gracious amount of video that show how to remove the radio, so I have that covered. I'm doubting that I have a loose connection in back of the unit. I know 1's are a bit more rare as compared to the e9x. So my question is, if I need to replace the head unit, will one from a e9x fit assuming it's for the iDrive? They look remarkably the same when I look at my e91 vs the e88. Just asking in case I need to buy a used unit...

They should be interchangeable, but I doubt it's faulty. Look at the harness.

My bet, if something is faulty, would be the amplifier. It sits in the trunk (it does in the E90, I haven't checked on the 1er) and sometimes moisture can ruin it.

olds350 · 11-20-2018, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnerDriver

They should be interchangeable, but I doubt it's faulty. Look at the harness.

My bet, if something is faulty, would be the amplifier. It sits in the trunk (it does in the E90, I haven't checked on the 1er) and sometimes moisture can ruin it.

Where would it be located on an e88 vert?

Edit: never mind, according to the interwebs, looks to be on the lefthand side of the trunk. Will investigate for water intrusion after work...

Dackelone · 11-20-2018, 05:04 PM

The amp for the radio is in the right rear quarter panel - I think. Maybe pull out the rear seat and give the wiring harness a tug while the radio is on. There is a large alu plate that covers access to the amp. Btw... which radio dydtem do you have ? HK or HiFi or Base(for 2010's)... ?

I remember when the car's were new... people had static issues with the radio on but the engine off. This was fixed by SW update by BMW.

Gangplank · 11-20-2018, 06:17 PM

My money is on a loose connection at the Aux/cable unless you ruled that out already.

olds350 · 11-20-2018, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gangplank

My money is on a loose connection at the Aux/cable unless you ruled that out already.

Yeah, already ruled that one out...

________ · 11-20-2018, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gangplank

My money is on a loose connection at the Aux/cable unless you ruled that out already.

olds350 · 11-20-2018, 06:47 PM

So, I found the amp on the left/drivers side in the trunk area in the 'vert. Found zero evidence of any water intrusion in either the amp area on the left side or in the electronics that's right behind the back of the rear seat and in front of the battery.

I did find where a couple of wires in a loom were rubbing against a sharp corner of a factory mount, so maybe? Right now the speakers are working, just need to hit the road and test. Have to get a engine ground strap for the wife's e91 tomorrow, so I'll keep an ear out for any anomalies on the speakers.

Appreciate all of the input on this odd issue...

olds350 · 11-21-2018, 02:51 PM

Welp, took the 1 out to grab some parts and lunch and the speakers cut out again, only had the front left again. Hit a dip in the road and they all started working again. Guess it's time to start pulling stuff and checking the connections...

olds350 · 11-21-2018, 03:44 PM

OK, I think it's fixed... I pulled out the radio, which that in of itself wasn't that bad. I have the iDrive, so pulled off the top trim piece, next the HVAC, then the radio surround. After that, just 4 phillps head screws to get the radio out.

When I pulled the radio out, the primary connector with all of the wiring was just sitting in dash. My guess is, someone has been in there before and just pushed the connector on, but didn't engage the flip clip, so over the time I've had it, it's been slowly working it's way off. Wished I knew the story to that. Right now it's working fine and I'm assuming I won't have any more issues with the speakers. Weird...

11-20-2018, 07:46 AM	#1
olds350 Needs a long road trip... 347 Rep 527 Posts Drives: '11 e91, '13 e88, '19 golf R Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	speakers stop/start Had an odd thing happen yesterday evening on the way out to eat diner. I had all but the front left speakers die on me. Right and rear speakers were dead. I made a left into the restaurant and the speakers came back to life. I figure I have a loose connection. Has anyone had this happen before? Seems a bit odd. I also have the iDrive on my 128. I guess the question is, where do I start looking and how do I pull the radio out of the dash or at least get my hand back up behind the components to check connections?
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11-20-2018, 07:53 AM	#2
________ ________ 4159 Rep 2,301 Posts Drives: ________ Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: ________ iTrader: (0)	That happened to me once when my aux connection under the armrest got loose. If you were listening to the radio that's different. Taking the head unit off is simple, you have to pry the center pieces out from the bottom, under the HVAC controls.
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11-20-2018, 08:35 AM	#5
olds350 Needs a long road trip... 347 Rep 527 Posts Drives: '11 e91, '13 e88, '19 golf R Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	I have some plastic pry tools. Where is the best placement for those to get the head unit out?
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11-20-2018, 08:56 AM	#6
agusszalai Registered 3 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW 130i 2007 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Buenos Aires iTrader: (0)	this could happend because of an electrical problem or an aux cable problem. check if there are any scratches on it!
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11-20-2018, 02:55 PM	#8
olds350 Needs a long road trip... 347 Rep 527 Posts Drives: '11 e91, '13 e88, '19 golf R Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Looked at youtube and there's a gracious amount of video that show how to remove the radio, so I have that covered. I'm doubting that I have a loose connection in back of the unit. I know 1's are a bit more rare as compared to the e9x. So my question is, if I need to replace the head unit, will one from a e9x fit assuming it's for the iDrive? They look remarkably the same when I look at my e91 vs the e88. Just asking in case I need to buy a used unit...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-20-2018, 05:04 PM	#11
Dackelone European Editor 10528 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	The amp for the radio is in the right rear quarter panel - I think. Maybe pull out the rear seat and give the wiring harness a tug while the radio is on. There is a large alu plate that covers access to the amp. Btw... which radio dydtem do you have ? HK or HiFi or Base(for 2010's)... ? I remember when the car's were new... people had static issues with the radio on but the engine off. This was fixed by SW update by BMW. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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11-20-2018, 06:17 PM	#12
Gangplank Brigadier General 1540 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: 2011 e82 135i n55 Sport w/ DCT Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Vero Beach, FL iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 135i [0.00]	My money is on a loose connection at the Aux/cable unless you ruled that out already. __________________ 2011 135i w/ DCT \| ZSP Sport Pkg \| PPK \| Ohlins R
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11-20-2018, 06:47 PM	#15
olds350 Needs a long road trip... 347 Rep 527 Posts Drives: '11 e91, '13 e88, '19 golf R Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	So, I found the amp on the left/drivers side in the trunk area in the 'vert. Found zero evidence of any water intrusion in either the amp area on the left side or in the electronics that's right behind the back of the rear seat and in front of the battery. I did find where a couple of wires in a loom were rubbing against a sharp corner of a factory mount, so maybe? Right now the speakers are working, just need to hit the road and test. Have to get a engine ground strap for the wife's e91 tomorrow, so I'll keep an ear out for any anomalies on the speakers. Appreciate all of the input on this odd issue...
	Appreciate 2 ________4158.50 dsocold198.00 Quote

11-21-2018, 02:51 PM	#16
olds350 Needs a long road trip... 347 Rep 527 Posts Drives: '11 e91, '13 e88, '19 golf R Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Welp, took the 1 out to grab some parts and lunch and the speakers cut out again, only had the front left again. Hit a dip in the road and they all started working again. Guess it's time to start pulling stuff and checking the connections...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-21-2018, 03:44 PM	#17
olds350 Needs a long road trip... 347 Rep 527 Posts Drives: '11 e91, '13 e88, '19 golf R Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	OK, I think it's fixed... I pulled out the radio, which that in of itself wasn't that bad. I have the iDrive, so pulled off the top trim piece, next the HVAC, then the radio surround. After that, just 4 phillps head screws to get the radio out. When I pulled the radio out, the primary connector with all of the wiring was just sitting in dash. My guess is, someone has been in there before and just pushed the connector on, but didn't engage the flip clip, so over the time I've had it, it's been slowly working it's way off. Wished I knew the story to that. Right now it's working fine and I'm assuming I won't have any more issues with the speakers. Weird...
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