e39 M5 radio switching off on its own

[Pip1968]

Actually I have just sold my M5 to a friend so feel a little bad. It used to happen very occasionally but usually it seemed to be geared to the Bluetooth phone line which obviously switches the radio off temporarily when a phone call is in progress and then switches back to radio afterwards.

Anyway the radio now switches itself off and whilst it can be switched on again it remains on only for a few minutes and then switches off again automatically. No phone usage is taking place as the new owner has not synchronised his phone. In the past I used to just stop the car and shut it down, lock the doors and let the computer reset and then jump back in and all would be working again. It was always just very occasional and intermittent problem.

I should add that the rear n/s arch was dented by a old lady that ran into me but this has been repaired. I know the radio module sits on this side along with the BT system.

Any help appreciated.

Pip

[nonuts]

Needs a new radio module in the boot or a repair, check which one it is and then take a look on ebay. There are loads of people offering to repair and I managed to pick up a replacement for cheap which so far has worked okay!

[M5 Cambridge]

What nounts said, if it's a BM24 radio module (black heatsink, round pins) they are prone to dry solder joints, you can either send it off for repair on eBay or have a go yourself http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=368...

Good luck

[Pip1968]

Very helpful. Any pictures of what the BM24 radio module looks like or is it the bit on the dashboard? I am assuming it is one of the bits in the boot by the satnav and BT module.

Pip

[E30M3SE]

Looks like a headunit without a front panel, located in the boot with nav.

[TheEnd]

I'd try the repair, all you do is look inside and everything will look fine. You'll dab a few solder joints since it is already open and refit it wondering where else the problem could be and it'll work fine from then on.

[M5 Cambridge]

This is a pic of a BM24 radio module (its in the boot, left hand side)



It will also say BM24 on the sticker on the module

Edited by M5 Cambridge on Wednesday 31st October 14:02

[Tango13]

It could also be the switch at the bottom of the ignition barrel, mine used to turn itself off in exactly the same way, a new switch for about £35 sorted it. It's quite common on all e39's not just the M5

I'll double check with my mechanic exactly what the part is.

[Kinky]

Tango13 said:

It could also be the switch at the bottom of the ignition barrel, mine used to turn itself off in exactly the same way, a new switch for about £35 sorted it. It's quite common on all e39's not just the M5

I'll double check with my mechanic exactly what the part is.

+1 for the above.

That's exactly what happened to mine. There's a thread here on PH somewhere about it

[Kinky]

Here's my old thread

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=15&...

[Pip1968]

Thank you once again to all. What a brilliant site PH is despite the occasional numpty and slanging matches between posters.

I do not think it will be the ignition barrel as I never used to get any of the warning lights or other problems. I shall get the new owner to look at the soldering joints. Or I may do it for him.

Pip

[Kinky]

Good to see it's helped some people. Rather fork out £35 for a fix, rather than £x,xxx for a new gearbox