E91 - No Radio Reception
E91 - No Radio Reception
Author
Discussion

Mr Tidy

Original Poster:

31,798 posts

158 months

Saturday 10th March 2018
quotequote all
So I bought a 325i E91 a couple of weeks ago.

When I test drove it the radio worked fine, but last week I noticed that there seems to be no signal even on FM.

Can anybody tell me where the aerial is (or aeriels are as I know some BMWs have an AM and a separate FM one)?

Or might the problem lie elsewhere?

Any help would be appreciated. thumbup

helix402

7,913 posts

213 months

Saturday 10th March 2018
quotequote all
It’s often a faulty diversity module that causes the problem. I think it’s under the spoiler on the E91.

Fore Left

1,621 posts

213 months

Saturday 10th March 2018
quotequote all
I've just replaced the diversity module on my E90 for the same reason. Lost radio reception every time I turned the hrw on. Was up by the third brake light on my car.

Mr Tidy

Original Poster:

31,798 posts

158 months

Sunday 11th March 2018
quotequote all
Thanks guys. thumbup

Would a code reader identify this, or is it just a question of swapping it and seeing how it performs?

bmwmike

8,788 posts

139 months

Sunday 11th March 2018
quotequote all
Does this apply to f10 too? The FM reception in mine is awful.

helix402

7,913 posts

213 months

Sunday 11th March 2018
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
Thanks guys. thumbup

Would a code reader identify this, or is it just a question of swapping it and seeing how it performs?
No, it wont leave a fault code. Swop it and see.

PTF

4,456 posts

255 months

Sunday 11th March 2018
quotequote all
Diversity. On my E91 the remote locking and radio both went.

The module gets damp and corrodes.

BMW wanted £450 to fit a new one

Bought a new one for £250 off ebay. Fitting took 1/2 hr. I wrapped the new one with cling film and then sealed the cover with silicone.

ExVantagemech..

5,733 posts

246 months

Sunday 11th March 2018
quotequote all
Broken wires in the RH side of the tailgate loom......
Common issue, I replaced the unit under the boot spoiler - I had figured it had lost the aerial ( top 3 lines in rear window) and wired another aerial into into it that - it didnt totally repair it but gave some reception.

Its the same module that receives the signal for central locking from the remote, often the remote will play up as well.

Its not that bad to do, unlike the 5 series where you have to move the loom inside.
Remove the spoiler, unclip the looms, remove the boot and look for flattened wires. I think I had to repair 2 or 3 - solder extra wire in rather than join together as it will allow more movement.

Edited to add - The X5 diversity unit is the same pat number - E91 units are priced higher!


Edited by ExVantagemech.. on Sunday 11th March 07:59

Mr Tidy

Original Poster:

31,798 posts

158 months

Monday 12th March 2018
quotequote all
Quick update on this.

FM and TV reception is generally pretty cr*p where I live (Sandhurst, Berks).

Anyway it being Mothers Day yesterday I went to see my Mum who lives in Worcester Park! I ejected a CD and got reasonable FM reception - which may explain why it worked when I bought it from just down the road in Ewell!

PTF said:
Diversity. On my E91 the remote locking and radio both went.

The module gets damp and corrodes.

BMW wanted £450 to fit a new one

Bought a new one for £250 off ebay. Fitting took 1/2 hr. I wrapped the new one with cling film and then sealed the cover with silicone.
If this is what it costs I think I'll just stick to using CD's or MP3 when I'm around home! laugh