Dead Pixels

[Mr. Wolfe]

Removed the navigation and totally disassembled it. Just waiting for my new screen to come in.

Mr. Wolfe

[Mr. Wolfe]

If you're worried about it, just disconnect the MRS module, lol. It's mounted on the trans tunnel, right after the dashboard ends (so near the emergency brake lever). Another option would be to pull the fuses for it. But no, there's no harm in connecting the battery without the seats other than those "hard" codes that will be set. Grab PASoft/BMW Scanner from eBay and you can clear those yourself extremely easily.

-Ted

Do you have a link? Can you also remove the brake sensor light? I have a big brake kit that couldn't use the factory brake sensor and therefore have a light on.

Mr. Wolfe

[t3ddftw]

It will trigger the airbag light, but I think the airbag light may be on anyways from before. It won't hurt anything else, right? I need to get the airbag recall done anyways so I am assuming they can turn the light off.

Mr. Wolfe

If you're worried about it, just disconnect the MRS module, lol. It's mounted on the trans tunnel, right after the dashboard ends (so near the emergency brake lever). Another option would be to pull the fuses for it. But no, there's no harm in connecting the battery without the seats other than those "hard" codes that will be set. Grab PASoft/BMW Scanner from eBay and you can clear those yourself extremely easily.

-Ted

[Mr. Wolfe]

You want to have the screen in the "ejected" position for sure.

Here's some pictures of the mechanism you're trying to actuate:

Resting position:

Clip pushed "in" which allows the unit to pop out

Side view:


So basically you want the keys flat, and then you want to push them inwards.

-Ted

It will trigger the airbag light, but I think the airbag light may be on anyways from before. It won't hurt anything else, right? I need to get the airbag recall done anyways so I am assuming they can turn the light off.

Mr. Wolfe

[t3ddftw]

Seriously struggling with removing the Navigation unit from the interior. I have the keys and know how they work, but cannot find the slots under the knobs. Any tips? I don't have the screen in the "up" position, but I noticed some people on youtube leave it down. Is it easier with the nav in the "up" position? I just hate to plug my battery back in because I have the steering wheel airbag removed and the seats removed.

Mr. Wolfe

You want to have the screen in the "ejected" position for sure.

Here's some pictures of the mechanism you're trying to actuate:

Resting position:

Clip pushed "in" which allows the unit to pop out

Side view:


So basically you want the keys flat, and then you want to push them inwards.

-Ted

[Mr. Wolfe]

Seriously struggling with removing the Navigation unit from the interior. I have the keys and know how they work, but cannot find the slots under the knobs. Any tips? I don't have the screen in the "up" position, but I noticed some people on youtube leave it down. Is it easier with the nav in the "up" position? I just hate to plug my battery back in because I have the steering wheel airbag removed and the seats removed.

Mr. Wolfe

[jet_dogg]

shoot me an email at [email protected] please

I’m thinking $120 for labor? It’s a couple hours of work at least, and it’s very annoying, but I appreciate folks keeping the factory electronics.



eBay has been stellar. The way it works with obsolete electronics is that the excess stock is sold off to suppliers in China, typically in Shenzhen. There are giant electronic markets where these second hand parts are traded, so these suppliers put out the word of what they have, then sellers with eBay stores put up listings for these items. When an order comes in, they go out to the market and buy one off a supplier to resell to you. What this means for us is that it doesn’t matter if you buy it from eBay, some random store online or AliExpress, they’re all coming from the same suppliers.

It also doesn’t matter how long they’ve been sitting. These delaminate because of direct exposure to heat, so if it’s been sitting in a warehouse for 15 years, that isn’t a big deal. Honestly, we’re lucky these are even around to be purchased…

Thanks!
-Ted

I'll hit you up when the time comes for this.

[t3ddftw]

thats a true statement right there. these "new in box" units cant be new in original box right?

The ones I’ve bought come in anti-static wrap, which is about as new in box as you get with an LCD assembly

Since these were always meant for OEM use, they would’ve come in a giant box, likely on trays, wrapped in the anti static wrap.

-Ted

[Maxima SE]

shoot me an email at [email protected] please

I’m thinking $120 for labor? It’s a couple hours of work at least, and it’s very annoying, but I appreciate folks keeping the factory electronics.



eBay has been stellar. The way it works with obsolete electronics is that the excess stock is sold off to suppliers in China, typically in Shenzhen. There are giant electronic markets where these second hand parts are traded, so these suppliers put out the word of what they have, then sellers with eBay stores put up listings for these items. When an order comes in, they go out to the market and buy one off a supplier to resell to you. What this means for us is that it doesn’t matter if you buy it from eBay, some random store online or AliExpress, they’re all coming from the same suppliers.

It also doesn’t matter how long they’ve been sitting. These delaminate because of direct exposure to heat, so if it’s been sitting in a warehouse for 15 years, that isn’t a big deal. Honestly, we’re lucky these are even around to be purchased…

Thanks!
-Ted

thats a true statement right there. these "new in box" units cant be new in original box right?

[sddynamix]

If you do decide to tackle this yourself, like everyone else mentioned, I'd be extremely careful. The plastic bits are very brittle at this age (and so are the ribbon cables) - took some searching to find a replacement ribbon cable on AliExpress. I replaced this screen twice before I replaced the entire unit with an AVIN.

[t3ddftw]

Ted, I will pay for this service when my car is back on the road.

shoot me an email at [email protected] please

I’m thinking $120 for labor? It’s a couple hours of work at least, and it’s very annoying, but I appreciate folks keeping the factory electronics.

Ok I see. Im kind of hesitant to buy one from ebay. not sure if they are selling second hand units as new. Or how long ago the "new" ones were even made and been sitting around. Where is the best place to get the LCD?

eBay has been stellar. The way it works with obsolete electronics is that the excess stock is sold off to suppliers in China, typically in Shenzhen. There are giant electronic markets where these second hand parts are traded, so these suppliers put out the word of what they have, then sellers with eBay stores put up listings for these items. When an order comes in, they go out to the market and buy one off a supplier to resell to you. What this means for us is that it doesn’t matter if you buy it from eBay, some random store online or AliExpress, they’re all coming from the same suppliers.

It also doesn’t matter how long they’ve been sitting. These delaminate because of direct exposure to heat, so if it’s been sitting in a warehouse for 15 years, that isn’t a big deal. Honestly, we’re lucky these are even around to be purchased…

Thanks!
-Ted

[Maxima SE]

Ok I see. Im kind of hesitant to buy one from ebay. not sure if they are selling second hand units as new. Or how long ago the "new" ones were even made and been sitting around. Where is the best place to get the LCD?

[jet_dogg]

Ted, I will pay for this service when my car is back on the road.

[t3ddftw]

How can you tell if its going to be centered before you reassmble it?

There’s no way to know without turning the monitor on (reassembling the BMBT).

This means there’s two ways to handle it:
1. Assemble the screen (and hopefully it’s already centered, but not likely), then disassemble it, adjust and repeat until it’s right. I don’t have the patience for this method.

2. Assemble the screen enough so the ribbon cables are connected, just the ones for the picture, and hold the assembly in your hand while you use your other hand to adjust the trim pot.

It is worth noting that the screens seemingly are not way off, maybe 1/8 - 1/2 inches in either direction, so if you’re not too peculiar, you can get away with leaving it as-is.

Thanks!
-Ted

[Maxima SE]

You have to center the image on the LCD using this trimpot:



that means you have to assemble the monitor at least enough to get an image on the screen.

How can you tell if its going to be centered before you reassmble it?