E53 navi help

[joff_nz 0]

Hi all, my first post here - but not new to forums. Recognise a few names from other haunts. 

 

I've recently ended up with an X5 kind of by accident. I'm onselling it but trying to fix up the little niggles it has, in particular the navi which has a blank screen. This is all I know:

- It has a blank screen

- When you turn the car on, the backlight changes like it's powering up but getting no picture

- The radio and cd changer work fine, I can change tracks using the buttons on the navi unit or my steering wheel and see the station/cd on the gauge cluster

- it has a JDM alpine dvd nav unit in the boot - no dvd with it though

- it has a radio unit in the boot well, which does look like it has had a touch of moisture at some point. 

- it doesn't appear to have a TV module in the boot - the blue and white plugs are hanging free. it does have a TV button on the centre console for the rear passengers

- I have unplugged and re-plugged the screen and the nav/dvd unit with no change. 

- I haven't unplugged and replugged the radio unit - didn't think about it until I'd put everything back together 

 

I don't like to be the guy who signs up to a forum just to leech help but I've searched and searched and just not quite hit on what I need. Looking for advice for what to try to rule anything in or out. 

 

Thanks!

[hotwire 352]

The video module (TV) OR the Nav unit controls screen graphics. If there is no Nav unit - it requires the video module for graphics. If there is both - the Nav unit overides the vm. It requires one or other or both.

Has it still got the Jap radio tuner? If it has been changed for a Euro version, this will corrupt the Jap Nav unit for graphics.

Otherwise possibly a faulty Jap Nav unit. It does not require a disc for it to control graphics.

[joff_nz 0]

Thanks Hotwire, I think it still has the jap radio tuner, though it seems to have an inline 'band expander' type device. 

 

Edit; also, thanks for explaining that it can work with either - I wasn't sure if the lack of video module would cause my issue. 

Edited March 12, 2018 by joff_nz

[Dogballs 115]

40 minutes ago, hotwire said:

The video module (TV) OR the Nav unit controls screen graphics. If there is no Nav unit - it requires the video module for graphics. If there is both - the Nav unit overides the vm. It requires one or other or both.

Has it still got the Jap radio tuner? If it has been changed for a Euro version, this will corrupt the Jap Nav unit for graphics.

Otherwise possibly a faulty Jap Nav unit. It does not require a disc for it to control graphics.

Hi Guys,

something to note:

if the video module has been removed, NO graphics will show, as this is the switching module.

 you can take the blue connector from a video module and plug it straight into a mk3/4 nav euro module and it will provide graphics. - because the jap nav module has a different plug this is not possible (without re-wiring, but why would you want to?).

it is possible to simply unplug a jap nav and the video module will take over - but not the other way round...

the cheapest option would be to find yourself a video module to regain some display graphics..

 

[_ethrty-Andy_ 2132]

can someone please post a picture, link to, or provide a part number of the video module? My X5 4.4i is also exactly as described! (jappa too)

[BM WORLD 1283]

30 minutes ago, _ethrty-Andy_ said:

can someone please post a picture, link to, or provide a part number of the video module? My X5 4.4i is also exactly as described! (jappa too)

65509178796

 

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E53/Europe/X5_4.4i-M62/R-N/2001/browse/audio_navigation_electronic_systems/navigation_system_video_module/

[joff_nz 0]

Thanks, should the video module be in the spare wheel well, or in the side rack where the navi unit is?

I've been looking in the wheel well but that link above hints to it being in the rack. 

(just ran out to check and it doesn't seem to be in the side rack either)

 

 

 

Edit:

OK have searched and worked out it should be in the wheel well, the side panel is for sedans & they've just re-used the pic. Anyone selling a video module cheap or have one in Palmy they'd allow me to test briefly to make sure it fixes my issue? It's a $5k car at best really don't want to put much $ into it. 

Edited March 15, 2018 by joff_nz

[hotwire 352]

Yes it is behind the battery under a black plastic panel, along with the radio tuner.

[BM WORLD 1283]

have the units in stock

[joff_nz 0]

Just now, BM WORLD said:

have the units in stock

Thanks, what are they worth? PM me if you prefer. 

[Neal 540]

Those tv modules allow a backup camera to be connected which is handy.

A guy in Aus makes a Freeview tuner replacement kit as well. Have one in my car

 

http://pibus.info/tv/

 

 

 

[Pill 0]

 

Hi,

Same thing happened on my E39 after jumping it while the monitor was turned on. The display went blank but all radio functions worked. 

Some Google-Fu pointed to a blown transistor on the boardmonitor PCB, I pulled the screen apart and sure enough,  2 transistors were fried. iirc they were part of the 5V power-on.

Anyway I ordered new transistors ($10 from mouser) & tried to resolder them.... but I'm a novice at soldering and just made a hash of the whole thing.

In the end I bought a 2nd hand screen off TradeMe for $100, now I have a working display.

Unfortunately the replacement was out of an E38 so the viewing angle isn't quite right...looks a little washed out at night. Can be adjusted via pots though quite painful process from what I have read. :).   

The transistor # is C3518 -K57, I have a couple spare if you need any...they came in pack of 5.    I can also supply a photo of the old board just ask.

 

Edited March 29, 2018 by Pill
Not used to the formatting.