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Thread: E39 Gurus- electrical quandary

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    1999 BMW 528i Wagon

    E39 Gurus- electrical quandary

    Just picked up a 99 528i wagon for an every day commuter car. I bought it knowing the radio didn't work. The PO said he was pretty sure it was the amp.

    With the amp and disc changer unplugged, only the time shows up on the MID, and only the clock button has an effect.

    Plugging the amp in, the MID becomes functional , but no music plays. Additionally, the in dash blinker indicators stopped working and making the click click sound synonymous with using turn signals. The signals still worked on the exterior of the car.
    The other odd symptom of the amp being plugged in was the absence of the "you left your lights on, dummy" alarm.

    Any ideas if the amp is the likely culprit?

    I'm looking for an oem replacement amp, but was curious if there's something else out can put in place of it.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Buenos Aires, Argentina
    Posts
    4,547
    My Cars
    '97 523i5 - 99' 540iA
    Have you tried disconnecting the radio? I mean, the top of the head unit has the actual radio module behind. It could be as simple as a bad fuse in either the radio, the CD changer or the amp which they all have their own fuse, in addition to the car's relevant electrical circuit fuse.

    I'd remove the MID and the radio and unplug the radio, leave the amp plugged in, and see what happens with the MID. Then, you don't mention if you tried just unpluging the CD changer in the trunk.
    Diehard E39 driver.
    I'd rather die or take a walk before driving an E60 or any BMW made after Y2K.
    ​"Your momma's so ugly she makes Bangle cars look nice"

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    San Jose, CA
    Posts
    11,537
    My Cars
    1997 BMW 540i 6 speed
    Might be the General Module. Not easy to diagnose w/o a BMW scan tool.

    Might try a reboot. Disconnect the battery after the car goes to sleep (16 min). Trunk lights will go out at this point.

    Let it set for an hour or more. Reconnect.

    Report back.


    Ed in San Jose '97 540i 6 speed aspensilber over aubergine leather. Build date 3/97. Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA Nr 62319.

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