Factory stereo woes: Horrendous static...and now a missing code

[Freude Am Fahren]

I searched and found this thread. My battery fully discharged and I had to get a new battery. I went to put my code in and it will not accept the correct code. After reading this, I have had the exact issues and just have written off the static and such as the quirks of an old car. I guess I need to look into having mind repaired also.....bummer! I wish there was an aftermarket setup that I really liked as far as looks go. I would like to keep the car as BMW "pure" as I can. I don't drive this car for the stereo so I hate to switch, really.

Justin,

I have never heard of a stereo not accepting the correct code. One thing that I have noticed happening is that typically after a battery disconnect, folks make a series of unsuccessful attempts at reinitiating the stereo using the incorrect code. The stereo, after I believe 5 unsuccessful attempts using incorrect code, will lock itself and would not accept even the correct code unless you reset it. The reset procedure is quite simple. The stereo needs to be left on for a minimum of 60 minutes. Your car doesn't necessarily need to be on for the period but you need the key turned to position I and the stereo turned on for it to work. After 60 minutes, try entering the correct code and it will accept it and become functional. This happened to me on my M Tech II stereo and I was lucky not to have replaced it. As for the volume knob, what I have done in the past with quite a bit of success is to remove the knob top portion (the black circle) to expose the potentiometer that acts as the volume control unit and spray your favorite perfume or cologne (essentially something with a bit of alcohol in it, I used my favorite Dolce & Gabbana Men's Fragrance) directly into the unit while turning the volume all the way to the right and then back to the left. Follow this procedure a few times and don't be afraid to go generous on your perfume of choice. Make sure the stereo is turned off during this procedure and allow it to remain off for at least 1 hour before turning it back on only to find out that the horrendous screech sound is gone and how much ass your 20 year old stereo can still kick. Good luck gentlemen.

[njboy]

My radio lost the right rear channel and started making a popping sound. So I removed it and sent it to the Radioman in San Diego.
Hopefully he can fix it and I'll let you know how it goes.
I like to keep that stock look in the dash. He quoted me $160 for the repairs.

[Freude Am Fahren]

My radio lost the right rear channel and started making a popping sound. So I removed it and sent it to the Radioman in San Diego.
Hopefully he can fix it and I'll let you know how it goes.
I like to keep that stock look in the dash. He quoted me $160 for the repairs.

You can source a working stereo for much less than that on R3V.

[Justin(OKC)]

Justin,

I have never heard of a stereo not accepting the correct code. One thing that I have noticed happening is that typically after a battery disconnect, folks make a series of unsuccessful attempts at reinitiating the stereo using the incorrect code. The stereo, after I believe 5 unsuccessful attempts using incorrect code, will lock itself and would not accept even the correct code unless you reset it. The reset procedure is quite simple. The stereo needs to be left on for a minimum of 60 minutes. Your car doesn't necessarily need to be on for the period but you need the key turned to position I and the stereo turned on for it to work. After 60 minutes, try entering the correct code and it will accept it and become functional. This happened to me on my M Tech II stereo and I was lucky not to have replaced it. As for the volume knob, what I have done in the past with quite a bit of success is to remove the knob top portion (the black circle) to expose the potentiometer that acts as the volume control unit and spray your favorite perfume or cologne (essentially something with a bit of alcohol in it, I used my favorite Dolce & Gabbana Men's Fragrance) directly into the unit while turning the volume all the way to the right and then back to the left. Follow this procedure a few times and don't be afraid to go generous on your perfume of choice. Make sure the stereo is turned off during this procedure and allow it to remain off for at least 1 hour before turning it back on only to find out that the horrendous screech sound is gone and how much ass your 20 year old stereo can still kick. Good luck gentlemen.

Thanks man! I actually got it to take the code today. The reason I had the code in there wrong so many times was because it would beep on the 3rd digit and I was not aware that if you hear the beep, you are to immediately start the code over. At any rate, I have some sound. Doesn't sound good, but it is sound none the less.

[njboy]

Got my radio back from the repair shop and it sounds great. I also installed a new Alpine 45w amp from Crutchfield and a new antenna from a forum member and my M3 is rockin out! Well worth all the effort and just amazed at how much better this old system sounds over new "premium" OEM systems offered today.
Total cost was $200 to repair the radio, $150 for new amp, and $60 for new antenna. I suspect this is close to what most system repairs would typically be.