No Sound on E90

Cameron™ · 07-07-2015, 08:50 AM

Hi all,
I have an '06 E90 with the base audio system. I haven't had any issues related to audio for the life of the car (barring a replaced Bluetooth/SOS module under warranty, which I'm guessing is pretty irrelevant).

Yesterday morning I noticed that the sound seemed off (hardly any bass, too much treble). Then it progressively started having crackling and balance/fade issues; I thought this was due to a faulty aux cable, but ruled that out when the issue persisted on radio. Then it started to intermittently turn off (i.e. no sound while it was turned on set at moderate volume), staying off for 5-50 seconds, then coming back on. It occasionally produced static/crackling/popping noises, sometimes even with the key not in the ignition. On this morning's drive, it was pretty much silent (I had the radio powered on the entire time but only heard it emit sound twice, for about two seconds each); no more sound artefacts/static.

The car was parked outside and it rained the night before this issue cropped up. I can't find any evidence of water actually getting inside the cabin or trunk, so I don't know if it's unrelated or I just can't see it.

Has anyone experienced a similar problem / have thoughts on what the underlying issue is? I'm not sure at this point which parts would need to be replaced, or if they even should if an underlying issue, like water damage, would cause it to happen again.

ctuna · 07-07-2015, 09:48 AM

Did you actually look at the amp.
Get down in the drivers side rear Fender Area and inspect it?
Clogged Drains from the Sunroof or a leak through the Trunk drain/gasket or
rear lights.

Cameron™ · 07-07-2015, 09:50 AM

I didn't think that the base system had an actual amp? I did check in the trunk for water but can look again.

ctuna · 07-07-2015, 12:08 PM

Cameron™ · 07-08-2015, 01:04 PM

I hadn't realised it was under that plastic tray! I opened it up and there was indeed an appreciable bit of water, I assume from a tail light leak.

I dabbed most of the water out with a towel, then had a fan on it for ~10 hours such that it's completely dry (from what I can reach). Sound now consistently works (i.e. it doesn't randomly turn off) but all bass is still muddled. It's listenable with the bass set at the lowest possible level, but obviously sounds horrible.

Is there any chance of it working again? If not, will replacing the amp fix the entire problem?

ctuna · 07-08-2015, 10:51 PM

You better find the source of the leak first.
Its often the moon roof drain.
You would really have to take it apart to dry it out.
This is so lame it happens all the time bad engineering.
Which system is it ?
They sell them on ebay.

you could also send it to beckerauto sound.

Repair
http://www.bmwradiorepair.com/?gclid...FccbQgodIEn0Cg
http://beckerautosound.com/
http://www.bmwgm5.com/Logic7_6941681.htm

Cameron™ · 07-28-2015, 08:25 PM

I've confirmed that the tail light housing was the source of the leak. The car hasn't been exposed to water for almost a month now and the amp has more or less completely dried out. All crackling/static/distortion issues are gone, but the bass frequencies are only being put out on the left/driver's side channels (that is, full range on driver's side; mid-/high-range only on passenger).

I'm guessing that this issue is likely only resolvable by replacing the amp? I'm actually fairly satisfied as it's completely usable at this point without replacing anything, even if it's slightly irritating from an OCD perspective.

ctuna · 07-28-2015, 11:44 PM

You could send the amp in for repair or get a used one.
Ebay often has them for sale and Becker Auto Sound does
OEM repairs.

07-07-2015, 08:50 AM	#1
Cameron™ New Member 0 Rep 22 Posts Drives: F12 M6 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	No Sound on E90 Hi all, I have an '06 E90 with the base audio system. I haven't had any issues related to audio for the life of the car (barring a replaced Bluetooth/SOS module under warranty, which I'm guessing is pretty irrelevant). Yesterday morning I noticed that the sound seemed off (hardly any bass, too much treble). Then it progressively started having crackling and balance/fade issues; I thought this was due to a faulty aux cable, but ruled that out when the issue persisted on radio. Then it started to intermittently turn off (i.e. no sound while it was turned on set at moderate volume), staying off for 5-50 seconds, then coming back on. It occasionally produced static/crackling/popping noises, sometimes even with the key not in the ignition. On this morning's drive, it was pretty much silent (I had the radio powered on the entire time but only heard it emit sound twice, for about two seconds each); no more sound artefacts/static. The car was parked outside and it rained the night before this issue cropped up. I can't find any evidence of water actually getting inside the cabin or trunk, so I don't know if it's unrelated or I just can't see it. Has anyone experienced a similar problem / have thoughts on what the underlying issue is? I'm not sure at this point which parts would need to be replaced, or if they even should if an underlying issue, like water damage, would cause it to happen again.
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07-07-2015, 09:48 AM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,104 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Did you actually look at the amp. Did you actually look at the amp. Get down in the drivers side rear Fender Area and inspect it? Clogged Drains from the Sunroof or a leak through the Trunk drain/gasket or rear lights.
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07-07-2015, 09:50 AM	#3
Cameron™ New Member 0 Rep 22 Posts Drives: F12 M6 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I didn't think that the base system had an actual amp? I did check in the trunk for water but can look again.
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07-07-2015, 12:08 PM	#4
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,104 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	IF you have a US car its either Hi Fi or L7 IF you have a US car its either Hi Fi or L7 both have amps. except for 2010 and early 2011 builds. BMW stereo types http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138949 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323 http://bmwcoders.com/forum/3-er-8/bm...1-e92-e93-291/ http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865 electical e90 pdf http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...,d.cGU&cad=rja http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...85464276,d.cGU http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...85464276,d.cGU http://www.musicarnw.com/page-2/ http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1278871872
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07-08-2015, 01:04 PM	#5
Cameron™ New Member 0 Rep 22 Posts Drives: F12 M6 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I hadn't realised it was under that plastic tray! I opened it up and there was indeed an appreciable bit of water, I assume from a tail light leak. I dabbed most of the water out with a towel, then had a fan on it for ~10 hours such that it's completely dry (from what I can reach). Sound now consistently works (i.e. it doesn't randomly turn off) but all bass is still muddled. It's listenable with the bass set at the lowest possible level, but obviously sounds horrible. Is there any chance of it working again? If not, will replacing the amp fix the entire problem?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-08-2015, 10:51 PM	#6
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,104 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	You better find the source of the leak first. You better find the source of the leak first. Its often the moon roof drain. You would really have to take it apart to dry it out. This is so lame it happens all the time bad engineering. Which system is it ? They sell them on ebay. you could also send it to beckerauto sound. Repair http://www.bmwradiorepair.com/?gclid...FccbQgodIEn0Cg http://beckerautosound.com/ http://www.bmwgm5.com/Logic7_6941681.htm Last edited by ctuna; 07-08-2015 at 10:58 PM..
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07-28-2015, 08:25 PM	#7
Cameron™ New Member 0 Rep 22 Posts Drives: F12 M6 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I've confirmed that the tail light housing was the source of the leak. The car hasn't been exposed to water for almost a month now and the amp has more or less completely dried out. All crackling/static/distortion issues are gone, but the bass frequencies are only being put out on the left/driver's side channels (that is, full range on driver's side; mid-/high-range only on passenger). I'm guessing that this issue is likely only resolvable by replacing the amp? I'm actually fairly satisfied as it's completely usable at this point without replacing anything, even if it's slightly irritating from an OCD perspective.
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07-28-2015, 11:44 PM	#8
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,104 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	You could send the amp in for repair or get a used one You could send the amp in for repair or get a used one. Ebay often has them for sale and Becker Auto Sound does OEM repairs.
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