Nav/Idrive display out

[ryanmkincaid]

I'm an E36 guy. I prefer simple and easy to diagnose. A girlfriend of mines has an 06 325i (sedan). The Navi/iDrive display went out so she can't see any faults or problems or anything that the display is suppose to show. For months I've been trying to get her to let me take a look at it and finally, now that the car won't start period, she calls me over to check it out.

Ok, so I connect my code reader and it comes up error. The car won't turn over so I jump start it but still the code reader comes up error. I'm assuming that the battery drainage (new battery mind you) is due to the alternator but reading another post leads me to believe that it could be a host of other issues that could be diag from the center display. Taking me back to my original issue.

What are some of the causes for the bad display? Where should I look first? This is probably too general a description of the problem to get a solution but any directing to help me narrow down the issue would help. Is there a diy fix for the center display? Or should we just cave and let BMW handle it?

[mattjw916]

Personally I'd just take it to a reputable dealer that you have experience with so you don't get raked over the coals on the repair costs. If the car is out of warranty it's going to be pricey for sure to fix. If cost is an issue you can always pick up a shop manual or a copy of the TIS and step through the iDrive module fault isolation procedure.

Generally speaking specialty items like this I tend to let the trained professionals take care of.

[beemah335]

ryanmkincaid, how did you fix this? I'm having the same issue, my nav/idrive display blacked out after replacing a battery.