Help with my e39 stereo
Discussion
Hello all, I’m a regular reader (of readers’ cars mostly) but very rarely post. I’m hoping someone here can help though.
I’ve got an e39 I’ve had for 18 months that I’m gradually improving, nothing major, I just want it to be reliable and usable as it’s my only car and needed for work too. Along with the mechanical bits and pieces I’m working through is a driver’s door speaker that’s making a farting noise when the radio is up at a high volume. Granted it’s not top of the list of jobs I’ve got but it’s an annoyance nonetheless.
I ordered a replacement, second hand speaker from eBay but when I finally got around to fitting it I found it hadn’t cured the farting noise. I assumed I’d been sent a duff speaker so ordered a second one. This still didn’t cure the problem. At this point I did what I should have done with the first replacement. I took the passengers door card off and test fitted the speaker to passenger side. No farting noise, even at a high volume!
So it looks (sounds?) like the speakers were fine all along and there is a problem with either the head unit or the wiring. What should I check next? And how? I removed the head unit and there was some non-standard looking insulation tape wrapped round a few of the wires. I suppose my next step is to replace the head unit unless someone here can suggest something else?
If it makes any difference the head unit is the standard BMW cassette player type. There is a 6 CD changer in the boot but I never use this.
I was also planning to fit some sort of adapter that would allow me to use my iPod but if I need to change the head unit anyway can anyone suggest a good standard looking unit?
Cheers
I’ve got an e39 I’ve had for 18 months that I’m gradually improving, nothing major, I just want it to be reliable and usable as it’s my only car and needed for work too. Along with the mechanical bits and pieces I’m working through is a driver’s door speaker that’s making a farting noise when the radio is up at a high volume. Granted it’s not top of the list of jobs I’ve got but it’s an annoyance nonetheless.
I ordered a replacement, second hand speaker from eBay but when I finally got around to fitting it I found it hadn’t cured the farting noise. I assumed I’d been sent a duff speaker so ordered a second one. This still didn’t cure the problem. At this point I did what I should have done with the first replacement. I took the passengers door card off and test fitted the speaker to passenger side. No farting noise, even at a high volume!
So it looks (sounds?) like the speakers were fine all along and there is a problem with either the head unit or the wiring. What should I check next? And how? I removed the head unit and there was some non-standard looking insulation tape wrapped round a few of the wires. I suppose my next step is to replace the head unit unless someone here can suggest something else?
If it makes any difference the head unit is the standard BMW cassette player type. There is a 6 CD changer in the boot but I never use this.
I was also planning to fit some sort of adapter that would allow me to use my iPod but if I need to change the head unit anyway can anyone suggest a good standard looking unit?
Cheers
I'd make sure all the wires are in one piece before going any further. Running new wires to the doors is a PITA, so you'll be wanting to avoid that. Undo all that tape and inspect. Cut them back and solder in new lengths if necessary. Next try a different OE HU (unless you want to change anyway...)
Changing the HU on the E39 is a bit involved as well, depending on what you start with. Generally you'll have to lose the MID unless you want to do a fair bit of work (see my last post here ) as the front of the MID sits a little too high to fit a DIN HU above it even though the cage there is the right size. The standard fascia adaptor covers the whole area with the MID out. But then it's a PITA setting the time on the clock right as you need to plug the MID back in to do it...
Changing the HU on the E39 is a bit involved as well, depending on what you start with. Generally you'll have to lose the MID unless you want to do a fair bit of work (see my last post here ) as the front of the MID sits a little too high to fit a DIN HU above it even though the cage there is the right size. The standard fascia adaptor covers the whole area with the MID out. But then it's a PITA setting the time on the clock right as you need to plug the MID back in to do it...
Probably not gonna help by my e39 radio also makes a noise (more crackling than farting!) when it's been on for a couple of hours. In my head this a dry joint the system that expands due to heat - leave it off (eg overnight) it's fine again for another 4 hours.
I've put it down as just one of those quirks of an old car so would be interested to hear how yours works out.
I believe that getting access to the actual radio unit can be a bit of a challenge unless you know what you are doing.
Good luck.
I've put it down as just one of those quirks of an old car so would be interested to hear how yours works out.
I believe that getting access to the actual radio unit can be a bit of a challenge unless you know what you are doing.
Good luck.
Thanks for the responses all, I'm hoping to find five minutes this weekend to have another look.
I'll check the wiring first. From what defblade has said, it looks like a non BMW, replacement head unit will be a pain to fit. I was looking at maybe a straight swap to a BMW CD head unit, would this allow me to plug my iPod in via the iPod's headphone socket or would I still need an adapter of some sort?
pistonheadforum, you could describe the noise as crackling I suppose, it definitely starts up straight away though rather than after a couple of hours but only when the volume is up quite loud.
And I've just had a quick Google of the BM54 trollfinder, I'm pretty sure I don't have that unit in my car. Sounds like I'm lucky not to!
I'll post back here if I have any success with this, thanks again.
I'll check the wiring first. From what defblade has said, it looks like a non BMW, replacement head unit will be a pain to fit. I was looking at maybe a straight swap to a BMW CD head unit, would this allow me to plug my iPod in via the iPod's headphone socket or would I still need an adapter of some sort?
pistonheadforum, you could describe the noise as crackling I suppose, it definitely starts up straight away though rather than after a couple of hours but only when the volume is up quite loud.
And I've just had a quick Google of the BM54 trollfinder, I'm pretty sure I don't have that unit in my car. Sounds like I'm lucky not to!
I'll post back here if I have any success with this, thanks again.
Hi,
The OEM audio setups in the E39 range from the basic, mediocre to 'sort of ok' levels in terms of sound quality. The higher audio setups sounded better as they had external slightly more powerful amplifiers, but still nothing 'good' sounding for the most part. Some owners will say their DSP equipped E39's sound 'acceptable' to 'not too bad' but there's just as many who think that also sounds 'mediocre'.
It sounds as though you have a base radio cassette with perhaps 4/5 W RMS output per channel. It's easy to push that internal amplifier into distortion and quite possibly the amplifier IC is showing signs of giving up and/or there is indeed faulty wiring which has caused quicker failure etc.
When it comes to swapping in other head units or the MID display setup or the monitor/GPS setup, it's all been discussed many thousands of times over all the BMW forums. There's many permutations, hardware versions, software revisions to check and there's changes depending on what year your car is and what will swap easily from other year E39's. If you search out what you want, then determine compatible modules and their software revisions, you can look for them on ebay/breakers yards and then once you swap, you'll then need to hope they're working units and/or that they last quite well from that point onwards and you don't get the same or another failure a few months later - keep in mind that all the oem modules will be between 13-16 years old (upto 20 but I don't think you want the early 1996 audio modules)
So, swapping in oem E39 modules can be a bit or a lot of faffing around.
You could go for an aftermarket single or double DIN head unit and get all modern functionality etc if you don't mind not having 100% oem looks in the dash. If you *must* have oem looks in the dash, then only swapping in oem modules will satisfy that but you have the potential downsides as per above.
The chinese replacement all in one units aren't good quality, prone to issues/problems and have little to zero aftersales and care/support. That said, 'some' purchasers have found their units to arrive working and remain working longer term. It's up to you to take the gamble.
I'd always recommend a premium brand aftermarket head unit as you'll get a quality unit for your money, current features, reliable and functional and in case you need support, there's local reputable car audio dealers who'll provide a warranty/guarantee that's easily administered.
I have the Parrot Asteroid Smart in my E39.
I understand you may not wish to spend as much as going aftermarket, but the above are basically your choices with the pro's and con's for each.
Cheers, Dennis!
The OEM audio setups in the E39 range from the basic, mediocre to 'sort of ok' levels in terms of sound quality. The higher audio setups sounded better as they had external slightly more powerful amplifiers, but still nothing 'good' sounding for the most part. Some owners will say their DSP equipped E39's sound 'acceptable' to 'not too bad' but there's just as many who think that also sounds 'mediocre'.
It sounds as though you have a base radio cassette with perhaps 4/5 W RMS output per channel. It's easy to push that internal amplifier into distortion and quite possibly the amplifier IC is showing signs of giving up and/or there is indeed faulty wiring which has caused quicker failure etc.
When it comes to swapping in other head units or the MID display setup or the monitor/GPS setup, it's all been discussed many thousands of times over all the BMW forums. There's many permutations, hardware versions, software revisions to check and there's changes depending on what year your car is and what will swap easily from other year E39's. If you search out what you want, then determine compatible modules and their software revisions, you can look for them on ebay/breakers yards and then once you swap, you'll then need to hope they're working units and/or that they last quite well from that point onwards and you don't get the same or another failure a few months later - keep in mind that all the oem modules will be between 13-16 years old (upto 20 but I don't think you want the early 1996 audio modules)
So, swapping in oem E39 modules can be a bit or a lot of faffing around.
You could go for an aftermarket single or double DIN head unit and get all modern functionality etc if you don't mind not having 100% oem looks in the dash. If you *must* have oem looks in the dash, then only swapping in oem modules will satisfy that but you have the potential downsides as per above.
The chinese replacement all in one units aren't good quality, prone to issues/problems and have little to zero aftersales and care/support. That said, 'some' purchasers have found their units to arrive working and remain working longer term. It's up to you to take the gamble.
I'd always recommend a premium brand aftermarket head unit as you'll get a quality unit for your money, current features, reliable and functional and in case you need support, there's local reputable car audio dealers who'll provide a warranty/guarantee that's easily administered.
I have the Parrot Asteroid Smart in my E39.
I understand you may not wish to spend as much as going aftermarket, but the above are basically your choices with the pro's and con's for each.
Cheers, Dennis!
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