need radio help please!

[bmwdefence]

(for starters, photos with flash are pre-wiring, darker photos are post-wiring) alright so i received the car like this. I have a 325i from 2001 and the radio would turn on, but i couldnt read a thing because the display was scrambled (but on) and i had no sound no matter what i pressed or turned. I went to a place that parts out cars, grabbed a couple radios, and a radio harness. I used cable connectors to connect the new one to the car and by the end i have a couple extra cables. I say what the heck, toss on my orig. radio, no display, no sound (mind you orig. did not have push to turn on). so i try the other radios, one is a cassette one that has all of my same cords in the car, turn on display, get “disabled” sign. okay, i try the other radio i purchased. cd player, but a newer one with a cable i dont have and also missing a cable i do have. turn it on, disabled. im at a dead end right now and could use the help! thanks.

[dworthy]

Welcome to the Forum!

Are we talking about original BMW radio's here? I am guessing so because you keep getting the "disabled" on the screen. You would need to program in the new radios, as they are coded by the vin number.

Of course you could also look at getting a Kenwood with an adaptor to fit in there as well.

[bmwdefence]

Welcome to the Forum!

Are we talking about original BMW radio's here? I am guessing so because you keep getting the "disabled" on the screen. You would need to program in the new radios, as they are coded by the vin number.

Of course you could also look at getting a Kenwood with an adaptor to fit in there as well.

how would i go about doing that?

[dworthy]

Progman, ISTA or similar program to code the radio. You can check with a local dealership = $$$ or a Indy =$$, perhaps a local BMW chapter mechanic = $

[randy72877]

E46 radio does not need programming to work. It says "disabled" because it is not receiving the k-bus signal. Does your instrument cluster work normally?

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[randy72877]

Also can't see pictures

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[Mless5]

Yep, swapped many OEM radios in my car trying to get one with perfect display and never needed coding.

E46 radio does not need programming to work. It says "disabled" because it is not receiving the k-bus signal. Does your instrument cluster work normally?

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[bmwdefence]

E46 radio does not need programming to work. It says "disabled" because it is not receiving the k-bus signal. Does your instrument cluster work normally?

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okay so i have a different instrument cluster in right now. my original one all worked besides the gauges, so i switched it for another one for now, but this one the center display at the bottom doesnt switch when i press the button on my turning signals. ill have to put mine back in and see if it’ll get the radio working again.

[bmwdefence]

okay so i have a different instrument cluster in right now. my original one all worked besides the gauges, so i switched it for another one for now, but this one the center display at the bottom doesnt switch when i press the button on my turning signals. ill have to put mine back in and see if it’ll get the radio working again.

I plan on sending my orig. cluster to a guy who can fix the gauges (refer to previous thread on my acc), so this other one is just what im using for now since it gets the job done.

[randy72877]

I plan on sending my orig. cluster to a guy who can fix the gauges (refer to previous thread on my acc), so this other one is just what im using for now since it gets the job done.

The cluster not working correctly is also a symptom of a k-bus failure. Go to www.bmwgm5.com and read about the k-bus and the symptoms of no k-bus communication. If that is what your car is doing, there is also helpful diagnostic info.

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