[tomgwuyn]

The display in my 06 BMW radio is fading out. Not able to see much of the letters. Whom should I send this to fix the pixels / display? And approx how much will it cost?

[ctuna]

Google e90 radio pixel repair you can also do it yourself
if you are somewhat skilled.
the following threads are somewhat dated but they describe the process.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=pixel


http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=761513


http://www.diyparadise.net/bmw_cd73_repair.html

If you send it in be sure to write down the Serial number so you get the same one back.
You need the same one back to avoid the hassle of reprogramming it.

[RayLivingston]

VERY common problem, but not too hard to fix. The display is available, for about $70, on EBay and other places. There are several tutorials on-line that show how to replace it.

[ctuna]

People where having trouble sourcing the display last time some body
posted about this and it was always closer to 100 buck at least that is
what I remember.

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by ctuna

People where having trouble sourcing the display last time some body posted about this and it was always closer to 100 buck at least that is what I remember.

Same recollection here. Common problem. Several Good DIY Threads on Forums, but issue is part availability as our radios age.

IF ANYONE has current source & price for 2006-2009 Radio (Professional) display panel, please post ALL Pertinent Data:
1) Supplier;
2) Part#;
3) Cost;
4) BMW Part# of radio to which you installed;
5) Build Month/Year of E9x vehicle, and Radio Option (S676/S677) installed.
Thanks,
George

[gbalthrop]

Took a quick look at Amazon, and this link came up:
https://www.amazon.com/display-Coope...ps%2C57&sr=8-3

If that Vendor is correct (have no knowledge personally) 2006 & prior head unit is Alpine, made in Hungary. LCD offered above is for 2007-2014 head unit made in Czech Republic.

Two Completely DIFFERENT panels and Connector Configurations.
George

[tomgwuyn]

Thank you all for the information.

[cliffschum]

Anyone have current information - repair services, part availability, success stories, etc - for faded Professional CD73 display ?

Can’t get a response from German Audio Tech. Others apparently out of business.

Thanks.

[GoRomeo]

I have lived with this issue for many years. Not really have the need look at the display hehe 😜. Mine is not that bad . I noticed the display works a 100% when cold weather.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by cliffschum

Anyone have current information - repair services, part availability, success stories, etc - for faded Professional CD73 display ?

Can’t get a response from German Audio Tech. Others apparently out of business.

Thanks.

My 335 had a bad display and all the replacement screens I found were $100+. Instead I found a complete working CD73 unit from a local forum member for $70. Added benefit was that it was a newer unit which supported the newer sounding chime once coded.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by cliffschum

Anyone have current information - repair services, part availability, success stories, etc - for faded Professional CD73 display ?

Can’t get a response from German Audio Tech. Others apparently out of business.

Thanks.

This place is in Richmond, Virginia. They have a brick and mortar store and have been in business for 52 years. I have the same issue with my radio. I sent in a repair estimate request today. I'll let you know what feedback I get. They are about an hour and a half drive from my home, so I may drop my headunit off rather than mail it, if I get positive feedback from them...

https://carradiorepair.com/home/

Update:

"Thank you for your quote request. Unfortunately we are no longer repairing radios for your vehicle at this time. Unfortunately we don’t know of a company that can help you. Please keep us in mind for your future repair needs as it is not often we have to decline. Thank you for your time. Best Regards, Quinton Pollard"

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by cliffschum

Anyone have current information - repair services, part availability, success stories, etc - for faded Professional CD73 display ?

Can’t get a response from German Audio Tech. Others apparently out of business.

Thanks.

More research today. The display part I can find only on Amazon for $388. A new (remanufactured?) CD73 unit from getbmwparts.com is $718. Considering my radio has seen some 7,000 hours of play time and the CD doesn't eject all the time and the unit thinks there is a CD in the drive when there is not, I think I may buy a new radio.

[Cal122]

My '06 with the CD73 had this issue and it was hard to find a replacement screen. I picked up a 2009 Czech built model from eBay as I read they won't have programming issues like the newer head units do (newer have the sat/bluetooth built in) where you have to change the build date on the car to get them recognized. It was plug-in play, just had to use Protool to default the radio, update the Vin and change a few settings to get the updated Gong and PDC to work properly. Of course, the screen eventually went bad on the replacement unit too, so I ended up getting a $100 screen from Amazon and replaced it myself (Was a bit tedious, but not too bad).

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

... Considering my radio has seen some 7,000 hours of play time and the CD doesn't eject all the time and the unit thinks there is a CD in the drive when there is not, I think I may buy a new radio.

Most (Younger ;-) Folks who buy a "New Radio" probably use USB, MicroSD chip, or MP3 Player, Auxiliary 1/8" Jack, with WAV files for best audio, as input instead of FM/AM radio anyway.

If your radio display is getting weak, you can just use one of those other Inputs (USB or Aux) with your own WAV files in folders, organized on your Computer. Best Sound Quality the system is capable of if WAV Files (CD Quality/ Lossless).

Use the money you save to get the new Taylor Swift albums/ whatever. My tastes are more "Dinosaur": Classical Music, Movie SoundTracks, Pop Music from Last Millennium.
George

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by gbalthrop

Most (Younger ;-) Folks who buy a "New Radio" probably use USB, MicroSD chip, or MP3 Player, Auxiliary 1/8" Jack, with WAV files for best audio, as input instead of FM/AM radio anyway.

If your radio display is getting weak, you can just use one of those other Inputs (USB or Aux) with your own WAV files in folders, organized on your Computer. Best Sound Quality the system is capable of if WAV Files (CD Quality/ Lossless).

Use the money you save to get the new Taylor Swift albums/ whatever. My tastes are more "Dinosaur": Classical Music, Movie SoundTracks, Pop Music from Last Millennium.
George

But the display is completely blank. I do use a Sony (digital) Walkman for audio, which lets me run it as a Bluetooth receiver so to pick up output from my phone into a mini audio analong signal for input to the radio or wired headphones. I'm hip, no worries. FLAK is Lossless, but it's a car, not a living room.

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

But the display is completely blank...

Even if NOTHING appears on display, you can still select from "Audio Menu": Radio, CD, USB, Aux, right? At least USB & Aux inputs work even though NOTHING appears on Screen?

While my screen still works (worse in hot car), I just alternate between (1) FM Radio Station, & (2) USB Thumb drive (32GB) that stays plugged into extension into USB port under armrest. That ONE 32GB Thumb drive holds about 50 hours/ CD's of Music in WAV format, and the system can retain the Folder Tags of FOUR such Thumb drives, or 200 hours of music. Multiply that by 6 if your audio files are MP3 format. I have 4 Thumb drives READ into system, and several others if needed.

If you have your Thumb drive(s) organized, you can save JPG files on your phone with the "directories" & you don't need the display. OR you can just make like a "Random" Playlist", and enjoy the music without feeling compelled to FIND a certain track. I would imagine you are more interested in your driving than looking at the display -- hence letting this "Blank Screen" exist for a time BEFORE addressing.

That said, if ANYONE knows of a replacement Screen (seem to remember there was a point where part# changed, ~2007?), please advise. ONE Definition of an "OLD car"/ "OLD MAN" is one that has more than 2 things wrong with it/him. Don't let "Stuff" get ahead of you!
George

[gbalthrop]

If you read following Link, it is suggested that there was a change in supplier/ part used for LCD, approximately 2007. I have NO personal info regarding this:
https://www.amazon.com/display-Coope...BoCrlEQAvD_BwE

Here is a good DIY link from someone who successfully changed Screen:
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=635672

Apparently the "Trick" is to (1) determine supplier, model, Label Color of your Radio, and then (2) see if you can Identify CORRECT replacement LCD. I'll "wade through" the following link tomorrow. ANYONE got Info?:
https://www.google.com/search?q=OPTR...hrome&ie=UTF-8
George

[doctorpimp]

This happens to mine too. Usually when it's very hot outside (Thailand) thank you everyone for the replies to the OP. I'll look at fixing this!

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by gbalthrop

Even if NOTHING appears on display, you can still select from "Audio Menu": Radio, CD, USB, Aux, right? At least USB & Aux inputs work even though NOTHING appears on Screen?

While my screen still works (worse in hot car), I just alternate between (1) FM Radio Station, & (2) USB Thumb drive (32GB) that stays plugged into extension into USB port under armrest. That ONE 32GB Thumb drive holds about 50 hours/ CD's of Music in WAV format, and the system can retain the Folder Tags of FOUR such Thumb drives, or 200 hours of music. Multiply that by 6 if your audio files are MP3 format. I have 4 Thumb drives READ into system, and several others if needed.

If you have your Thumb drive(s) organized, you can save JPG files on your phone with the "directories" & you don't need the display. OR you can just make like a "Random" Playlist", and enjoy the music without feeling compelled to FIND a certain track. I would imagine you are more interested in your driving than looking at the display -- hence letting this "Blank Screen" exist for a time BEFORE addressing.

That said, if ANYONE knows of a replacement Screen (seem to remember there was a point where part# changed, ~2007?), please advise. ONE Definition of an "OLD car"/ "OLD MAN" is one that has more than 2 things wrong with it/him. Don't let "Stuff" get ahead of you!
George

'06 have just a mini audio plug for AUX. Menus are all on the screen.

[cliffschum]

Tomas at Bavtekinc.com (Texas) is the most/only reputable source of info I’ve found. His recommended LED display source is pixel fix.net out of Hungary for the early 2006/7 part, which makes sense since the Pro CD73 was mnfrd there. Cost is €250…ugh. He says the other/cheaper (e.g. Aliexpress, ebay…Chinese) sources are remnfrd, ~ 90% good, and typically last a few years.