I don't drive my 520 that often - once a week maybe, sometimes less.
Yesterday I got in and turned the key and just got a clicking noise. I
put a voltmetre on the battery and it read about 9.2 volts. So I charged
it via the jump start connections under the bonnet and then it was fine.
However, now the stereo won't turn on. It just doesn't respond to the
push button to turn it on. It still shows the time on the display, which
is backlit when the headlights are on. Is there a connection with the low
batter and recharge, or just a coincidence? Any ideas?

Thanks

"smb" <invalid (AT) invalid (DOT) invalid> wrote

Check the fuse.

On Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:51:48 +0100, R. Mark Clayton wrote:
I've checked the fuses in the glove compartment, and those in the boot
just above where the battery is. They're all good. The manual says
there's also fuses in the "load area", but I can't work out what they
mean. I'm thinking this is an alternative discription for the touring
model, maybe? Or are there some more fuses hidden away somewhere?

"smb" <invalid (AT) invalid (DOT) invalid> wrote


you will need to pull the radio out and check the wiring for in-line fuses.
Also there will be a fuse or two inside it on the cicuit board.

On Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:06:50 +0100, RustY © wrote:
Right. Will try this tomorrow. Cheers

smb wrote:
You might need the code to activate it.

On Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:08:56 -0400, Roger wrote:
I hadn't thought of that. However, I've just checked the manaual and it
says "Manual input of a security code or similar is not required". If it
did require a code, would it not give me some kind of error message?

On Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:06:50 +0100, RustY © wrote:
Turns out that I'm a complete idiot, and there's nothing wrong with the
radio - it's the CD changer that's playing up. I pulled the radio out,
and there was nothing obviously wrong with the connections. I checked the
fuse in the back of the unit and it was fine. Put it back and and tried
again and no luck. Then I just starting hitting buttons at random, and
the radio came on! I then tried to change back to CD and the screen just
shows the clock. No error message, no sound - just like it was switched
off. So it had been turning on all the time, just not doing anything
because of some fault with the CD changer. I'd at least expect an error
message!

So I go and look at the CD changer. First I try to eject the cartridge,
but it doesn't respond. I take the unit out, disconnecting the 3 pin and
6 pin connectors. The connections and wiring looks OK. I test the fuse,
which is fine. I plug it back in, and when I connect the 3 pin plug
there's a whiring sound from the unit, which suggests it has power OK.
But it still won't eject the cartridge!

I'd love to get this working again, but at the very least I want to get my
6 CD back! Any ideas?

smb wrote:

with the car computer rebooting with every start, I have found after an
electrical gremlin appears (usually a low voltage culprit me thinks)
with a battery replacement for example ... or a recharge ... or what
ever makes the lights go on and the systems get out of wack.

is a few re-starts.

When Tillman's while in their care 'found' the electical problem that
made the fuel pump not work they say, and various lights on the dash
appear and systems malfunctions came on ... it took about 50 restarts to
get everything to quiet down and get back into working order.

now ... that the key fob is DEAD ... no doubt about it .. have to get a
200 dollar battery now to fix my old key with a new key.

that might help make lights disappear and systems go back to normal
function.

now ... all that is amiss ... is the key fob.

it was the stereo system like with yours.

have to wait until it is broken, smoking, on fire ... to get the pros
from Stuttgart to check it out.

Still with my last engine die out ... lights flash on .. no re-start ...
on the last inspection.

NO CODES ... (528i) no idea why it quit and not restart making for a
land dolly.

other then keep the other key around and try that and see what happens
is the cure from BMW ... for now.

sumbuddie hopes this helps

:?

In article <7jgbhfF35o8lgU1 (AT) mid (DOT) individual.net>,
smb <invalid (AT) invalid (DOT) invalid> wrote:
Only thing that happens to my E39 radio if you disconnect the battery is
you lose the station memory.

--
*Nostalgia isn't what is used to be.

Dave Plowman dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.