NAV errors

[Asiah119]

I've been having issues with my nav system for awhile and I suppose I'm finally annoyed enough with it to see about a fix. The basic issue is that I keep getting read errors for the nav disc. Does anyone have a process for me to follow to diagnose this? I don't know if it's a problem with the disc, the optical drive, or the actual nav.

[johnrando]

Lots of good info on xoutpost.com. You can def try swapping the disc, but usually that is the drive laser going out. You can buy just the laser and do some soldering to fix, or buy a new (or used drive). Charlie (cakm3) posted a good DIY on this (the original DIY is on e46f.c I think). Not as likely the NAV head unit but you never know.

[kayger12]

Laser replacement is on my list.

Tried cleaning the laser and a different disc. No dice.

[Asiah119]

Jesus those units are expensive for no good reason.

[JupiterBMW]

I too am slowly falling victim to this issue. Only seems to act up on long drives, and, well, I don't do many of those... :biggrin

[kayger12]

I too am slowly falling victim to this issue. Only seems to act up on long drives, and, well, I don't do many of those... :biggrin

Same here- only on long drives.

Wonder why that is?

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[JupiterBMW]

Same here- only on long drives.

Wonder why that is?

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I blame heat... Heat will always beat down a piece of equipment. I don't care what kind of equipment... Overheat it and eventually it'll fail.

[kayger12]

I blame heat... Heat will always beat down a piece of equipment. I don't care what kind of equipment... Overheat it and eventually it'll fail.

Certainly makes sense.

I'm thinking this will make a nice spring project.

I wish there were a good, reliable, functional, plug and play aftermarket option.

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[Asiah119]

I like to think of myself as an enterprising individual, but my German is weak, and I'm a little sketched out about buying parts off of a German website. Anyone feel like exploring this territory so I can meekly follow in their footsteps.

[Asiah119]

Because I'm lazy, and its cold out, does anyone know how many pins are in the cable\connection in the back of the drive? I'm trying to do some figuring on ways to make an IDE drive work.

[johnrando]

I've been considering buying a full drive from overseas.

[Headmaster]

Don't need a full drive, just go to the dealer and order the laser replacement cartridge, it's like $300, but there is a $150 core charge.. My Indy got it for me at cost and it was $99. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/haveqa6y.jpg


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[Headmaster]

I case you can't see it it's part # 65-83-9-273-195 list is $133.10 + $137 core.

[kayger12]

Don't need a full drive, just go to the dealer and order the laser replacement cartridge, it's like $300, but there is a $150 core charge.. My Indy got it for me at cost and it was $99. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/haveqa6y.jpg


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Great info. Thanks!

[johnrando]

This really is great info, thanks! How difficult is it to install? I did see a DIY where you could buy the actual laser and do soldering, but I'm not good at that stuff.

[prowlerflyer]

FYI all, BMW now sells rebuilt nav dvd drives! Part #65839241764, $121.46. There is a $200 core charge, but you should get that back. Tischer has it discounted at $97.17! Seems like a good price for a warranteed part.

If you really want to do the DIY, both bimmerfest and xoutpost have good step by step instructions.

Cheers Steve

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[kayger12]

FYI all, BMW now sells rebuilt nav dvd drives! Part #65839241764, $121.46. There is a $200 core charge, but you should get that back. Tischer has it discounted at $97.17! Seems like a good price for a warranteed part.

If you really want to do the DIY, both bimmerfest and xoutpost have good step by step instructions.

Cheers Steve

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Hugely helpful post!!

Definitely going this route. Thanks!!

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[cakM3]

Here is the DIY for replacing the laser component in the Navi computer :thumbsup

http://www.xoutpost.com/electronics/navigation-system/53560-diy-changing-laser-unit-mk4-sat-nav-unit.html (http://www.xoutpost.com/electronics/navigation-system/53560-diy-changing-laser-unit-mk4-sat-nav-unit.html)

Links to replacement laser heads for Mk IV navi computer:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Laser-Head-For-BMW-MK4-MKIV-GPS-Navigation-/350472919137?pt=GPS_Devices&hash=item5199d05861 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Laser-Head-For-BMW-MK4-MKIV-GPS-Navigation-/350472919137?pt=GPS_Devices&hash=item5199d05861)

[NorCalZman]

FYI all, BMW now sells rebuilt nav dvd drives! Part #65839241764, $121.46. There is a $200 core charge, but you should get that back. Tischer has it discounted at $97.17! Seems like a good price for a warranteed part.

If you really want to do the DIY, both bimmerfest and xoutpost have good step by step instructions.

Cheers Steve

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Wow that is great news. Saving that part number now. That is a very reasonable price. Now if only the main nav unit in the dash was as reasonable I wouldn't loose sleep about mine going out.