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[Help Please] Fibre Optic Issues

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shd1968
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[Help Please] Fibre Optic Issues

Post by shd1968 » Mon Apr 11, 2016 4:36 pm

Hi everyone, I was hoping there might be someone knowledgeable out there that might be able to offer me a bit of help please.

The car: 2007 X5 E70 4.8i with most of the toys.
The issue: Seems I have a problem with the MOST fibre optic wiring.

I've tested all the boxes in the boot with an optical cable loop with no change to the symptoms. The glove box 6 CD changer seems to be getting an optical signal, however under the dash on the nearside there's a small clip out panel  where the optical cable is joined and this cable appears to be lifeless with no red light.

The items that are not functioning seem to be the Bluetooth, The SOS call feature, the CD auto changer, the HUD for Sat Nav (speed OK), not sure about USB.

CD and Nav in the console seem OK (basic HiFi)

Trying to avoid the stealers if possible as these kind of issues seem to be seen as a blank cheque by them  8).

To me it seems logical that there's a break in the cable from the back of the car to the front as that's where a lot of the non functioning items seem to be placed but the fact that the CD changer is getting optical signal is throwing me a bit.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice please?

Thanks

Steve

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X5Sport
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Re: [Help Please] Fibre Optic Issues

Post by X5Sport » Mon Apr 11, 2016 4:59 pm

The CD device will be sending a signal optically rather than receiving one and other controls may be via 'copper' connections from it.  There is usually no easy way to fix a broken fibre, you have to replace it.

What you do need to check is whether the terminal ends are output (lit) or input (dark).  Some may be both if two way data flows.

If you can work out from Realoem which bit of fibre is broken then you will be able to find a new one.  It might also be a module in between that has 'gone dark'.  You are going to have to trace each fibre from end to end, and perhaps use a bright LED torch to 'light' the fibre at one end as a continuity check, and there may well be more than one fibre involved depending upon the intermediate step!
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

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kjb1
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Re: [Help Please] Fibre Optic Issues

Post by kjb1 » Fri Jul 08, 2016 9:47 am

normally its the bluetooth module that causes issues.  Try taking that out of the loop.


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litany
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Re: [Help Please] Fibre Optic Issues

Post by litany » Thu Jul 21, 2016 11:48 pm

Yep, take MULF away and connect end with terminator loop.

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