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Thread: 03 540 Touring Amp issue

  1. #1
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    03 540 Touring Amp issue

    Hello,

    I think that I may have a fried amp in my 540 touring. The stereo 'head' seems to be working fine, but there is no sound at the speakers.
    Is there a fuse/relay specifically associated with the amp? If so...where might it be? I've tried the three fuse locations that I am aware of an all of the fuses look fine. Is there a quick/simple way to check the amp output at the amp?

    I've searched the radio/amp forums but nothing seems to be said about any fuses specifically for the amp.

    Thanks,

    Doug

  2. #2
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    I don't think there is a fuse for the amp itself. look at the connector, and clean it out if cruddy. some have the DSP option, and the amp is different between normal and DSP.

  3. #3
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    In the many E39’s I have owned, all my cars with the HIFI amp, never had any problems with the amps going bad. But every one I had that had the DSP system, the amps always went south. They seem to have issues with the solder on the boards getting brittle and the amp go bad once the brittle connections crack.
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

  4. #4
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    Thanks. I'll give that a try.

  5. #5
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    IMG_0069.jpgIMG_0069.jpgIMG_0069.jpgNot really certain if my car has DSP. Is this a DSP amp?
    Attached Images Attached Images

  6. #6
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    That’s not a DSP amp.
    If you had DSP you’d have a DSP button on the right side of the MID.
    If you want to trouble shoot your amp signals see post #2, the info is from one of my posts from years ago when I replaced my amp and speakers.
    Pin 2 in the 12 pin connector gets 12 volts from the MID when you turn the stereo on, that turns the amp on.
    Check to see if you have 12 volts at the amp too.
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...o-amp-pin-outs
    Last edited by JimLev; 07-26-2022 at 09:22 PM.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by JimLev View Post
    That’s not a DSP amp.
    If you had DSP you’d have a DSP button on the right side of the MID.
    If you want to trouble shoot your amp signals see post #2, the info is from one of my posts from years ago when I replaced my amp and speakers.
    Pin 2 in the 12 pin connector gets 12 volts from the MID when you turn the stereo on, that turns the amp on.
    Check to see if you have 12 volts at the amp too.
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...o-amp-pin-outs
    Thanks. I'll give that a try.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by BimmrMeUpSnotty View Post
    In the many E39’s I have owned, all my cars with the HIFI amp, never had any problems with the amps going bad. But every one I had that had the DSP system, the amps always went south. They seem to have issues with the solder on the boards getting brittle and the amp go bad once the brittle connections crack.
    Hello, I wanted to know if replacing the Amp fixes this issue, or if there is a better Amp I should put in instead?

    2002 BMW 540i

  9. #9
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    You need to get a schematic of the DSP speaker wiring, go after market amp and speakers
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Black87L6 View Post
    IMG_0069.jpgIMG_0069.jpgIMG_0069.jpgNot really certain if my car has DSP. Is this a DSP amp?
    This looks like the same unit that was bad in my car. Head unit seemed to function, but no sound. I swapped out for one from a sedan out of the U-Pull yard, and it works perfectly now. I have supplied two other semi-local E39 members with replacements too, and their audio systems are both working again.
    My car had corrosion evidence from water intrusion, maybe tail light area? I cleaned up my body-side harness plug with De-Ox at installation time. I think part numbers vary, but are all marked Leer and have the same heat-sinks.
    -Donny

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