[taibanl]

All,

I have finally gotten to the bottom of a problem which has existed for quite some time.

If you have noise (especially digital sounding noise) in your HU, it is likely defective.

This noise has been aptly described as a high frequency noise resembling a 'fax machine' or modem, or your car communicating with aliens. Some affected users have posted YouTube videos and I am searching for those for example sake.

BMW have just discovered a defective batch of HU from 2009 through 2014

SI B65 03 14
Audio, Navigation, Monitors, Alarms, SRS
March 2014
Technical Service

SUBJECT
RAD2+ Radio: Background Noise with Audio Turned Off

MODEL
E82 (1 Series Coupe)
E88 (1 Series Convertible)
E89 (Z4)
E90 (3 Series Sedan)
E91 (3 Series Sports Wagon)
E92 (3 Series Coupe)
E93 (3 Series Convertible)
With option 663 (Radio BMW Professional, RAD2+) and option 676 (HiFi Loudspeaker System) [ed. note - this may also apply to amplified 'Stereo' (non-6760 cars or L7 cars which have been recoded to HiFi)]

SITUATION
Background noise (buzzing, crackling, static) can be heard:
At low audio volume
When the radio is turned off
When the ignition is turned off
NOTE: Background noise stops when the radio enters sleep mode.
IMPORTANT: Background noise is more noticeable on vehicles produced before 09/2009 in case a RAD2+ replacement radio was installed previously.

CAUSE
RAD2+ radio concept, manufactured from July 2009 to February 2014

CORRECTION
1. Perform diagnosis using ISTA and diagnose any faults related to the above situation. Follow the test plan recommendations.
Always connect a BMW approved battery charger/power supply (SI B04 23 10).
2. Only replace the radio if no relevant faults are stored.
3. Program the vehicle using ISTA/P 2.52.1 or later.
New integration level: E89x-14-03-500 or higher
Note that ISTA/P will automatically reprogram and code all programmable control modules that do not have the latest software.
For information on programming and coding with ISTA/P, refer to CenterNet / Aftersales Portal / Service / Workshop Technology / Vehicle Programming.

PARTS INFORMATION
Part Number Description Quantity
Refer to the EPC, RMFD radio BMW Professional CD, RAD2+ 1
VIN-specific

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty.
Defect Code: 65 12 69 02 00
....

SI B65 03 14 RAD2+ Radio- Background Noise with Audio Turned Off.pdf


There are BRAND NEW 2014 part numbers which correct this problem. They are
65129350506 - Basic HU, no options such as 6FL USB or Bluetooth (may or may not include Sirius)
65129350507 - includes internal bluetooth (6NN/6NH) handsfree & internal 6FL USB controller (no COMBOX/MULF required!). NO MOST PORT
65129350505 - includes internal 6NN & 6FL but adds MOST port for connection to other vehicle modules (existing ComBox, MULF, TCU, Sirius, HK/L7 amp etc.).


There are also other verified noise issues from OEM HU, that predated this issue:
SI B 65 32 09 - Interference noise Loudspeaker.pdf
SI B65 13 10 - Distorted Audio Output from 9-09 to 6-2010-1.pdf

[taibanl]

Switching to a HU with integrated (internal) BT and USB (644/6FL)

For those of you who either have a Defective HU or simply want to upgrade to add features; the latter 2 of the New Part numbers (listed above) contain integrated USB and BT options. All that is required is to add the cabling and some coding to the HU (it comes pre-coded, but not to the car so voice command will be in German or something).

What you will need:

HU with embedded BT & USB (also includes Sirius and HD Radio
MOST bus HU with BT/USB/Sirius/HD Radio
or
NON MOST bus HU with BT/USB/Sirius/HD Radio
Note these are US part numbers, there are comparable part numbers in EU which have DAB and do not have Sirius.

And:

Originally Posted by Jose_JN

They don't come with the mic... You have to buy all the spare pieces.
Keep in mind that if you dont have a e93 or e88 the mic reference is different!
Because convertibles have the mic at the steering wheel column but others have it at the roof lights module!

For e93/e88:

For 6FL/USB+iPod:
84109237653 x1 -> USB+Aux Socket
61119129360 x1 -> Coaxial fakra wire for USB

For 644 Bluetooth:
84316977740 x1 -> mic
61316950266 x1 -> Steering wheel column cover
ADDED: 61120396159 -> retrofit harness; voice input
...
DELETED-7072 x1 -> 3 pins Connector - DELETED (replaced by retrofit wiring harness)
DELETED-5197 x4 -> Female Pin - DELETED (replaced by retrofit wiring harness)
...
UNLIKELY NEEDED - 61138384550 x1 -> 12 pins Female Connector
UNLIKELY NEEDED 61138387206 x1 -> Connector housing (may radios will already have either this already present or a 40 pin style connector which makes it unnecessary - but its cheap insurance if you don't want to pull your HU twice!)




Other e9x and e8x

For 6FL/USB+iPod:
84109237653 x1 -> USB+Aux Socket
61119129360 x1 -> Coaxial fakra wire for USB

For 644 Bluetooth:
84316938762 x1 -> mic
ADDED: 61120396159 -> retrofit harness; voice input
...
DELETED-7072 x1 -> 3 pins Connector - DELETED (replaced by retrofit wiring harness)
DELETED-5197 x4 -> Female Pin - DELETED (replaced by retrofit wiring harness)
...
UNLIKELY NEEDED - 61138384550 x1 -> 12 pins Female Connector
UNLIKELY NEEDED 61138387206 x1 -> Connector housing (may radios will already have either this already present or a 40 pin style connector which makes it unnecessary - but its cheap insurance if you don't want to pull your HU twice!)
...
DELETED-6148 x1 -> Mic housing - DELETED (unnecessary - this is a blank plate for no mic)

DELETED - A 2 conductor, shielded wirewhich can be sourced at radio shack like places (not necessary with retrofit harness).


For more details, see the master DIY, credit to user @ JoseJN:

[taibanl]

Reserved for other info.

[ctuna]

Does that mean the middle unit has A2DP built in?

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Does that mean the middle unit has A2DP built in?

Negative 6NN (e8x/e9x) or 6NH (e84) are Handsfree (HFP) only.

If you google those option codes you will see such description.

[Wongway]

Thanks for keeping up on this bit of info there!

[taibanl]

post #2 updated

[chdavis]

This is all great information, thanks for posting. However, I'm having trouble finding definitive prices for the HU listed under the 2014 part numbers. Do you have any insight into the total costs involved for replacing an existing HU with a 2014 updated HU with BT & USB built-in?

[taibanl]

HU $575 (or 475 if you return for CORE). getbmwparts
Misc Parts $130-$150
$~700-725

If you ebay your existing HU you can expect $3-500

Net $2-400


Also Lightning Y cable 70.


If you ebay your existing HU you can expect $3-50

[petekay]

Will an aftermarket HU resolve this problem?

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by taibanl

Switching to a HU with integrated (internal) BT and USB (644/6FL)

For those of you who either have a Defective HU or simply want to upgrade to add features; the latter 2 of the New Part numbers (listed above) contain integrated USB and BT options. All that is required is to add the cabling and some coding to the HU (it comes pre-coded, but not to the car so voice command will be in German or something).

What you will need:

HU with embedded BT & USB (also includes Sirius and HD Radio
MOST bus HU with BT/USB/Sirius/HD Radio
or
NON MOST bus HU with BT/USB/Sirius/HD Radio
Note these are US part numbers, there are comparable part numbers in EU which have DAB and do not have Sirius.

And:




DELETED - A 2 conductor, shielded wirewhich can be sourced at radio shack like places (not necessary with retrofit harness).


For more details, see the master DIY, credit to user JoseJN:

ADDED: 61120396159 -> retrofit harness; voice input

FIXED! - found that there is a retrofit mic wiring harness so you don't have to build one!

[rudyv1]

I have this noise issue but my car earlier than 2009, it is a 2008 model E88, Build date 2008-06-25. Would my HU also be defective?
Thank you

[Vrizrak]

Thank you for that finding. I had this noise from day 1. Dealer told me back in 2012 this is normal noise. After I've read your thread I scheduled appt with dealer to check HU. But while i was driving around i hit pretty massive pothole (remembered that later). And what I'm notice when I got home it's noise is gone!!!

So now I'm not sure what is it. A bad ground wire, loose wire somewhere? hard to find..

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by Vrizrak

Thank you for that finding. I had this noise from day 1. Dealer told me back in 2012 this is normal noise. After I've read your thread I scheduled appt with dealer to check HU. But while i was driving around i hit pretty massive pothole (remembered that later). And what I'm notice when I got home it's noise is gone!!!

So now I'm not sure what is it. A bad ground wire, loose wire somewhere? hard to find..

One person has discovered that bad connections on the back of the radio have been responsible for some issues on MOST equipped radios

[Vrizrak]

I'm going to check that. Thank you.

Originally Posted by taibanl

One person has discovered that bad connections on the back of the radio have been responsible for some issues on MOST equipped radios

[jht3]

just discovered this thread after thinking this was normal on my 09/09 build

there is a significant high pitched hum noise, with a pop every ~3 seconds. been driving me nuts for YEARS

car is equipped with:
professional radio (cd, fm/am, satellite, aux, usb)
aux/usb in center console
TCU stacked on top of MULF2 in trunk

build codes:
S639 Preparation f mobile phone cpl. USA/CDN
S645 BMW US Radio
S655 Satellite tuner
S663 Radio BMW Professional
S697 Area-Code 1 for DVD
S6FL USB/audio interface
S6NF Music interface for Smartphone

i don't have an active sirius subscription in this car (i think the sat tuner is built into the radio?), but i do use the usb/aux port in the arm rest AND handsfree calling. i believe the RAD2 handles the sirius, and the MULF2 and TCU the USB/AUX and BT calling.

not sure which radio to look for, or how to tell what is being sold on ebay for example, as its a mess

RealOEM seems to show 2 viable part number:
65129350505
65129225849

[ctuna]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=687463
there are some part numbers in the above link.
Often and open internet search of the part numbers produces results.

Some of the newer radios came with sat and usb built in .
The older ones use modules for sat and usb.
Must have a most bus connector if you have a most bus.
You might have to code it to your car.
There are not big differences in the Radio other than the built in
features actually none that effect the user.

[jht3]

fixed the hum and popping. at least temporarily.

removed the radio, unplugged the main harness and both antenna's; terrestrial and sat? plugged it all back in.

so maybe reseating the main harness w/ most cables was the fix. glad when its the easy things. pulling the hvac was a huge pita until i figured out exactly where to pry from. removed the glove box unnecessarily too.

so i don't need to chase an upgrade in the radio just yet, and will instead pursue the speakers and amp. fwiw, my factory radio is part # 65129226405, which was eventually superseded by 65129242505 according to RealOEM.