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iDrive not working after water damage

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E70).
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tomphilp
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iDrive not working after water damage

Post by tomphilp » Thu Sep 14, 2017 7:37 pm

So, I had a bit of a shocker due to this rain and left the sunroof open and had an appointment whilst it rained. Came back to find the inside soaking and now the iDrive isn't working. I would assume that I would need to replace this if the circuits have gone in it.

Anyone ever had this happen to them and had the iDrive replaced by BMW or themselves and know cost / timescales / what is required?


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Horizon
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Re: iDrive not working after water damage

Post by Horizon » Thu Sep 14, 2017 8:37 pm

I would not keep power on to any components that have been in contact with water.
The IDrive system only consists of the controller in the centre console,the screen and the module with the 1-8 number buttons on, mounted below the climate control unit. ( and adjoining cables )
These maybe need to be removed and dried out with a dry clean air source blowing over the PCB's.
A hair dryer on its lowest heat setting positioned around 2 ft away so not concentrating too much heat on the components.
Too much heat is very bad for electronics.
I've had PCB's that have been under water for 24 hours in floods and brought them back to life with gentle drying out.
Possibly the rain has only been on the centre console IDrive controller.
Good luck
2011 Kia Sorento KX3  2.2D 60 Plate Auto in black ( mine )
BMW E83 X3.  3.0d M Sport, 2008 in black ( now gone )
BMW E93 330i Convertible  Msport  2007.  ( Now sold )
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Re: iDrive not working after water damage

Post by tomphilp » Thu Sep 14, 2017 9:15 pm

[quote="Horizon"]
I would not keep power on to any components that have been in contact with water.
The IDrive system only consists of the controller in the centre console,the screen and the module with the 1-8 number buttons on, mounted below the climate control unit. ( and adjoining cables )
These maybe need to be removed and dried out with a dry clean air source blowing over the PCB's.
A hair dryer on its lowest heat setting positioned around 2 ft away so not concentrating too much heat on the components.
Too much heat is very bad for electronics.
I've had PCB's that have been under water for 24 hours in floods and brought them back to life with gentle drying out.
Possibly the rain has only been on the centre console IDrive controller.
Good luck [emoji106]
[/quote]
I think the rain has only got to the centre console controller as the 1-8 buttons work still and the screen is functioning fine. I'm just unable to change the screen between navigation or multimedia which is a bit of a nightmare.

I will see if it is working tomorrow after a night of drying and if not will see what BMW say, just thought I would ask if anything has ever had their iDrive centre controller replaced and how much it was.


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tomphilp
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Re: iDrive not working after water damage

Post by tomphilp » Thu Sep 14, 2017 9:15 pm

[quote="Horizon"]
I would not keep power on to any components that have been in contact with water.
The IDrive system only consists of the controller in the centre console,the screen and the module with the 1-8 number buttons on, mounted below the climate control unit. ( and adjoining cables )
These maybe need to be removed and dried out with a dry clean air source blowing over the PCB's.
A hair dryer on its lowest heat setting positioned around 2 ft away so not concentrating too much heat on the components.
Too much heat is very bad for electronics.
I've had PCB's that have been under water for 24 hours in floods and brought them back to life with gentle drying out.
Possibly the rain has only been on the centre console IDrive controller.
Good luck [emoji106]
[/quote]
I think the rain has only got to the centre console controller as the 1-8 buttons work still and the screen is functioning fine. I'm just unable to change the screen between navigation or multimedia which is a bit of a nightmare.

I will see if it is working tomorrow after a night of drying and if not will see what BMW say, just thought I would ask if anything has ever had their iDrive centre controller replaced and how much it was.


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X5Sport
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Re: iDrive not working after water damage

Post by X5Sport » Thu Sep 14, 2017 9:18 pm

Oh Dear  :(

Get the fuses out for the system immediately as the system will start booting as soon as the car wakes up.  It sounds as if most of it is working.

Fingers crossed just the fuse blew and once dried out it recovers, but you must keep power off it!

I'll see if I can get at a controller price - the main unit is north of £2,300 plus fitting  :o

Could be around £400 (new).

Cotswoldbmwmini are Dealer members on here and give discounts.  Worth trying them via a PM.

Fingers crossed  :)
Last edited by X5Sport on Fri Sep 15, 2017 6:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

Horizon
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Re: iDrive not working after water damage

Post by Horizon » Thu Sep 14, 2017 10:16 pm

[quote="X5Sport"]
Oh Dear  :(

Get the fuses out for the system immediately as the system will start booting as soon as the car wakes up.  It sounds as if most of it is working.

Fingers crossed just the fuse blew and once dried out it recovers, but you must keep power off it!

I'll see if I can get at a controller price - the main unit is north of £2,300 plus fitting  :o

Could be around £400.

Cotswoldbmwmini are Dealer members on here and give discounts.  Worth trying them via a PM.

Fingers crossed  :)
[/quote]
Controllers are readily available off EBay if required I got a CIC controller to retrofit my CCC original on my E93 off eBay for £65
They are plug and play and don't need coding. How ever the main module CCC or CIC need coding to the car I think. ( there are several different part numbers , tours will be on a sticker underneath your controller )
Is yours CCC or CIC IDrive ( what year is your E70 ? )



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Last edited by Horizon on Thu Sep 14, 2017 10:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2011 Kia Sorento KX3  2.2D 60 Plate Auto in black ( mine )
BMW E83 X3.  3.0d M Sport, 2008 in black ( now gone )
BMW E93 330i Convertible  Msport  2007.  ( Now sold )
VW Golf 2.0 TDI 140 GT 2010 ( now sold )
Now Sold 55 plate, X5, 3.0 D Sport. Silv

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Re: iDrive not working after water damage

Post by X5Sport » Fri Sep 15, 2017 6:39 am

A replacement main unit will need all of the licence enabling keys coded in to allow the same functions as you have with your fitted options to work.
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tomphilp
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Re: iDrive not working after water damage

Post by tomphilp » Fri Sep 15, 2017 7:25 am

[quote="Horizon"]
[quote="X5Sport"]
Oh Dear  :(

Get the fuses out for the system immediately as the system will start booting as soon as the car wakes up.  It sounds as if most of it is working.

Fingers crossed just the fuse blew and once dried out it recovers, but you must keep power off it!

I'll see if I can get at a controller price - the main unit is north of £2,300 plus fitting  :o

Could be around £400.

Cotswoldbmwmini are Dealer members on here and give discounts.  Worth trying them via a PM.

Fingers crossed  :)
[/quote]
Controllers are readily available off EBay if required I got a CIC controller to retrofit my CCC original on my E93 off eBay for £65
They are plug and play and don't need coding. How ever the main module CCC or CIC need coding to the car I think. ( there are several different part numbers , tours will be on a sticker underneath your controller )
Is yours CCC or CIC IDrive ( what year is your E70 ? )



Image
[/quote]
Horizon - it is a 2012 model.

X5 Sport - where is the fuse located for the iDrive for me to take out?


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Horizon
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Re: iDrive not working after water damage

Post by Horizon » Fri Sep 15, 2017 3:25 pm

2012 will be CIC IDrive, that controller in my photo is the 8 button CIC controller, as said there is loads on EBay.
How wet exactly did things get, was it just the centre console that got wet, or do you suspect the main CIC unit below the climate control got a soaking too.?
I believe the main module needs to be coded to the car and the vin number must be changed in the units coding.
I was looking at upgrading my E93 CCC up to a CIC unit and could be all done with new screen controller and CIC unit for under a grand fitted and coded.
Hope you get it sorted by drying things out.
As X5 Sport has said, it won't do it any good powering up wet electronics. There's loads of how to's on the internet about how to remove all the IDrive components.
2011 Kia Sorento KX3  2.2D 60 Plate Auto in black ( mine )
BMW E83 X3.  3.0d M Sport, 2008 in black ( now gone )
BMW E93 330i Convertible  Msport  2007.  ( Now sold )
VW Golf 2.0 TDI 140 GT 2010 ( now sold )
Now Sold 55 plate, X5, 3.0 D Sport. Silv

tomphilp
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Re: iDrive not working after water damage

Post by tomphilp » Fri Sep 15, 2017 3:44 pm

[quote="Horizon"]
2012 will be CIC IDrive, that controller in my photo is the 8 button CIC controller, as said there is loads on EBay.
How wet exactly did things get, was it just the centre console that got wet, or do you suspect the main CIC unit below the climate control got a soaking too.?
I believe the main module needs to be coded to the car and the vin number must be changed in the units coding.
I was looking at upgrading my E93 CCC up to a CIC unit and could be all done with new screen controller and CIC unit for under a grand fitted and coded.
Hope you get it sorted by drying things out.
As X5 Sport has said, it won't do it any good powering up wet electronics. There's loads of how to's on the internet about how to remove all the IDrive components.
[/quote]
It was just the central control system that got wet. The rain just came straight down and seemed to find its way into the CIC controller. There was no rain on the main CIC unit, that was completely dry when I checked so, fingers crossed, it is just the CIC controller than needs replacing. Parking brake, auto hold and the gear selector all work fine.

I would swap it out myself with a used part but have absolutely no idea how to code it.


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Horizon
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Re: iDrive not working after water damage

Post by Horizon » Fri Sep 15, 2017 5:28 pm

The controller doesn't need coding. It has a 4 pin plug squeeze tab at side of plug and plug in new / used one.
Look on real OEM, put your VIN number in and find the part number, then look on eBay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/132323821382
Just an example
Last edited by Horizon on Fri Sep 15, 2017 5:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2011 Kia Sorento KX3  2.2D 60 Plate Auto in black ( mine )
BMW E83 X3.  3.0d M Sport, 2008 in black ( now gone )
BMW E93 330i Convertible  Msport  2007.  ( Now sold )
VW Golf 2.0 TDI 140 GT 2010 ( now sold )
Now Sold 55 plate, X5, 3.0 D Sport. Silv

tomphilp
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Re: iDrive not working after water damage

Post by tomphilp » Fri Sep 15, 2017 7:40 pm

Great, will give it a try. Can anyone direct me to a decent guide for he removal / installation of it?


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tomphilp
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Re: iDrive not working after water damage

Post by tomphilp » Tue Sep 19, 2017 6:41 pm

Was the CIC controller that was water damaged and a replacement from eBay has done the job perfectly. Just out of interest, can you retrofit an F15 CIC controller to the E70 or are the dimensions / connections different?


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