I have a 2003 S, with the CD based navigation system, and I have been experiencing intermittent but persistent failure of the navigation mapping system, and also blackouts of the screen.

This occurred early on in ownership, and "fixes" including replacing the CD module under the seat in in/around 2004, and most recently, a replacement of the display module. In between, I just lived with the problems.

Typically, the display will lose the mapping function, entirely, claiming not being able to locate the CD. The GPS function continues to operate. Sometimes, the screen will go "hot" blank, i.e., no information from the onboard system is displayed, but it glows slightly implying the system is on.

This problem has occurred at start up, or operates normally for hours and then suddenly fails into mode[s] above.

I brought the mini in for service, and on investigation the dealer tech determined that the on-screen display unit [VERY expensive] was the source of the problem. A new one was ordered and installed. 5 hours later, the problems reoccured.

During this trip, the hot fail described above would be followed by the mini logo and a restart. As before, the GPS would continue to function, but the mapping would not.

I have the new set by subscription of the CDs, and thus, they are new, too.

Any ideas?

 

did you have the firmware up graded yet?

 

I tend to agree, either the Nav software is corrupt or it is a firmware issue.

 

Thank you both...

I re-mention the CD module replacement in 04[?], and wonder, therefore:

1. When was this firmware upgrade undertaken by Mini?
2. How is it done?
3. How to tell the current firmware version?
4. How is the Nav Software corrupted, and from where does it load? The CD's? another source?

 

New versions of firmware updates were being released fairly regularly (at least a couple of times a year) when the 1st gen MINI was still in production, but the dealer normally wouldn't do an update unless the customer complained of a problem. Update is done by loading a firmware updater CD into the drive. You can actually download and burn your own firmware disc.

Firmware version is displayed in the upper right corner of the Settings screen. It will display something like "4-1/91". The first digit is the hardware version (3 = CD system, 4 = DVD system). The other digits are the firmware version. The latest versions are 3-1/63 for CD system, 4-1/100 for DVD system. If your unit was replaced in 2004, it is possible that they installed a DVD unit.

Personally, I'm skeptical that your particular problems can be fixed by updating firmware. However, it won't hurt to update it, and you'll get bug fixes and improvements. I suggest that you also post in the BMW Nav forum, where there are very knowledgeable people and somebody may recognize your problem: http://www.xoutpost.com/electronics/navigation-system/. Look at the sticky thread for V32 to learn about updating the firmware.

Your "hot fail" problem sounds similar to what happens when the car battery is starting to lose power. Are you still on the original battery?

 

+1, Those CDs may also be the problem, I actually just had the dealer upgrade the Firmware last weekend, No charge, then I had the DVD cleaned by gamestation and it made a big difference as I was getting the re boot and error also. Now it work perfect

 

Thanks again for responses...

Current firmware is SW3-1/63
The CD's are brand new and first used a few weeks ago.

Despite the older under seat replacement, and the new CD's, the problems remains. Even after the new screen was installed a few days ago.

I have thought that there is a cabling/harness issue which is causing the failure. Without actual knowledge, but an inferential set of suppositions:

0. The display has 20 pins
1. Data is accumulated from the GPS device, and ported towards the display and/or under the seat.
2. Data on the nav/maps is ported towards the display
3. Data from car status [fuel, etc.] is ported towards the display.

A. The most likely cause of all symptoms is a single failure, not two, unconnected failures.
B. The Nav/Map system will fail [ie, in various symptoms discussed], but the GPS will continue to display
C. The System reboots to mini, or the screen goes blank
D. The CD system has been replaced, as has the monitor
E. The symptoms appeared when the car was not 6years old, but new [new battery]
F. The symptoms appear in all temperatures and at various operating times [start up, or later during a longer drive]
F1. Ignition reset cured the symptoms, but briefly, on the last drive.
G. There is noise over a speaker, near the GPS in the rear, that the 'tech' asserts is caused by an amplifier going out. [This statement perplexes me no end, but I saw that, too, as a harness or grounding fault issue...] However, this is not a problem that existed with the new car...


So, I pose these questions, as to think on, for discussion purposes:
i. how would one even 'know' if it was a harness problem
i.a. how might a incomplete ground connection [car ground/negative] by any of the Nav related devices cause these symptoms
i.b. how might a ground fault in any other of the car's devices cause issues?
ii. how might a failure or bug in the car computer [as opposed to the CD gadget] cause these collected symptoms.