BMW 5-Series E39 (1996 - 2003) - Malfunctioning Radio

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Thu 21 May 2009 11:49
Malfunctioning Radio - MokkaMan
The radio on my E39 2001Y Touring has not been working for about two years - it hisses and crackles and you only rarely get anys sort of reception and then only for local radio. I took it to the local specialist, who could not see anything wrong and advised me to go to a BMW dealer. I did this and they could not see anything wrong but advised that it might be the amplifier (apparently replacing this cures about 90% of these sort of problems). Had a new one fitted (cost £132 for labour parts and VAT) and it made no difference. It now appears it is the wiring that it is at fault and there are metres of wiring and it will be hard to find.

Any ideas on resolving this. The car is now so old, that it clearly makes no sense to invest a lot of money sorting it out, but I would like to have radio on occassion. The car does have a cassette and a 6CD stack, which both seem to functioning normally.

Any ideas gratefully received
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Thu 21 May 2009 11:56
Malfunctioning Radio - Woodspeed
When I read "amplifier" I presume you mean aerial amplifier and not sound booster amp as your cassette still works. Think these amps were fitted quite near the head unit (radio cassette).
A quick get out would be to go to an audio specialist (even Halfords) and get a new radio CD/MP3 player for about £60 - £100 and a simple aerial fitted (amplified roof aerial about £50 fitted) or easier to put a front or rear wing aerial on. If a "bee sting aerial" is fitted the amp is either in the aerial or on a small unit near the head unit.
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Thu 21 May 2009 11:58
Malfunctioning Radio - bell boy
so you can here music with the cd
well that rules out the amp and the speaker wiring and the speakers
what we have is a breakdown of either the radio circuit or the aerial circuit
why not buy a cheap aerial with possibly an extension cable stick it in the back of the radio and the aerial outside and see if you get a signal
if you do then you know its the aerial /amplifier /wiring to the radio at fault
i would then bash a hole in a wing and fit my aerial direct
if it still doesnt work then you know the radio is kaput

most breakers would sell a warranted replacement for less than a ton


11.00am or read woodspeeds post he can tip quiker than me ;-

Edited by bell boy on 21/05/2009 at 12:00

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Thu 21 May 2009 12:04
Malfunctioning Radio - MokkaMan
yes it is the aerial amplifier as the music for CD / casstte still works.

What about one of these pure digital aerials which I assume comes with anaerial for the windscreen?

Thanks for all the comments
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Wed 17 Jun 2009 16:18
Malfunctioning Radio - wednesday1991
I had exactly same problem, but I have a new radio/cd fitted...radio just started hissing a few months ago after about 30 mins of driving...took radio/car back to sound dealer and tested radio with an external aerial...it was fine...he suggested that i try replacing teh aerial amplifier in the nearside rear window pillar...so gonna buy one on ebay and try it....although dubious cos it does work for 30 mins then starts...unless it is a hot day then it doesnt work at all....he suggested it might be a hairline fracture in teh circuit which expands after warms up...
will post back findings
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