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Very happy - fixed my DSP problem!

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153K views 106 replies 62 participants last post by  M3shelly  
#1 ·
There are two common faults with the DSP; the first is that the sound will die for no apparent reason but can be restored by simply switching the engine off and restarting after a few moments.

The second, more serious defect happened to me recently. The sound (all sources including SatNav) died and the little orange light wouldn't come on no matter how much I pushed it. The system has remained dead for a number of weeks whilst my dealer was pursuing a replacement part on back order from Germany.

Here is a pdf file of the technical service bulletin related to this problem:

http://members.roadfly.org/bmw_e46_m3/bulletins/650804.pdf

Now for the good part...HERE IS THE FIX:

(1) Insert key but do not turn on ignition
(2) Turn on headlights (don't ask but it works!)
(3) Disconnect battery
(4) Remove fuses no. 7 and no. 41 from holder in glovebox
(5) Wait 5 minutes
(6) Reconnect battery & plug fuses back in

Voila! The DSP, radio, CD, SatNav voice etc. are all restored :M5thumbs:
 
M
#2 ·
Ashok Arora said:
(1) Insert key but do not turn on ignition
(2) Turn on headlights (don't ask but it works!)
(3) Disconnect battery
(4) Remove fuses no. 7 and no. 41 from holder in glovebox
(5) Wait 5 minutes
(6) Reconnect battery & plug fuses back in

Voila! The DSP, radio, CD, SatNav voice etc. are all restored :M5thumbs:
Click to expand...
Sounds silly, but glad it worked out!

:cheers:
 
G
#3 ·
Ashok Arora said:
There are two common faults with the DSP; the first is that the sound will die for no apparent reason but can be restored by simply switching the engine off and restarting after a few moments.

The second, more serious defect happened to me recently. The sound (all sources including SatNav) died and the little orange light wouldn't come on no matter how much I pushed it. The system has remained dead for a number of weeks whilst my dealer was pursuing a replacement part on back order from Germany.

Here is a pdf file of the technical service bulletin related to this problem:

http://members.roadfly.org/bmw_e46_m3/bulletins/650804.pdf

Now for the good part...HERE IS THE FIX:

(1) Insert key but do not turn on ignition
(2) Turn on headlights (don't ask but it works!)
(3) Disconnect battery
(4) Remove fuses no. 7 and no. 41 from holder in glovebox
(5) Wait 5 minutes
(6) Reconnect battery & plug fuses back in

Voila! The DSP, radio, CD, SatNav voice etc. are all restored :M5thumbs:
Click to expand...
I didn't realize Lucas made components for our German cars! hiha hiha
Regards,
Jerry
 
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L
#4 ·
Ashok Arora said:
(1) Insert key but do not turn on ignition
(2) Turn on headlights (don't ask but it works!)
(3) Disconnect battery
(4) Remove fuses no. 7 and no. 41 from holder in glovebox
(5) Wait 5 minutes
(6) Reconnect battery & plug fuses back in

:M5thumbs:
Click to expand...
I heard step 7 was to hop on your left foot 2 times with your right eye shut while spitting chewing tobacco in a Folgers can.
 
#5 ·
Lscman said:
I heard step 7 was to hop on your left foot 2 times with your right eye shut while spitting chewing tobacco in a Folgers can.
Click to expand...
That's only for those without M-Audio :biggrin:
 
B
#6 ·
gsfent said:
I didn't realize Lucas made components for our German cars! hiha hiha
Regards,
Jerry
Click to expand...
Ah the Prince of Darkness... I hate that company. Ever seen half the dashboard lights turn off when you hit a bump? Drive a car with Lucas electronics and you sure will. One thing I just hated in my Triumph. That name makes me want to take a shower.
:cheers:
 
G
#8 ·
BmwNut said:
Ah the Prince of Darkness... :cheers:
Click to expand...
Yes, that name was just so fitting, wasn't it? :thumbsup:
Regards,
Jerry
 
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M
#9 ·
WORKED FOR ME TOO!!!

Just got back from a long holiday and the Beast wouldn't crank after the layoff. Sho nuff, I inch the second car nearer, jumpered the connections and got it fired up. I forgot to do the max blower/lights etc procedure to prevent voltage spikes as per the manual. The sat nav screen died and no audio either. Another strange affliction was that the green dashboard arrows and accompanying tick-tocks indicator didn't work even thought the indicators themselves were working. I think PDC stopped functioning too.

I searched this forum and found this mdc's thread first ...

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=56853

Jeez, I'm cooked.

Since the car is still under warranty, I was imagining ways to lie to the dealer "honest guv, the thing just died as I rounded the corner from my house" when I searched this forum again and found this thread we're on. Ashok's suggestion worked a treat and system back now. I even remembered to hop on one leg and yowl like a beast.

Given the other symptoms in my case, seems to me this solution can apply to a multitude of electronic glitches I've seen discussed here and not just the DSP and could qualify for a sticky.

THANKS ASHOK.
 
#10 ·
Happy to help Mike :thumbsup:

Hope you can make it to our meet on October 2nd :M5thumbs:
 
#13 ·
You're welcome! :thumbsup: :cheers:
 
G
#14 ·
Well I am sitting here shocked.

I have a 2003 540I Msport, and out of the blue on Wednesday, left for work like normal, no sound. Radio, presets etc, all work, just no sound. DSP wasn't working either.

Was going to set up an appt with BMW when I started searching here and on other forums to see if there was a fix.....

Tried your fix about 30 minutes ago.......turned the key and it blasted eric claptons "Layla" full blast....:eek:oohhh:

Very happy.....another thanks here....:byebye:
 
#15 ·
Cool :cool:
 
#16 ·
Ashok Arora said:
There are two common faults with the DSP; the first is that the sound will die for no apparent reason but can be restored by simply switching the engine off and restarting after a few moments.

The second, more serious defect happened to me recently. The sound (all sources including SatNav) died and the little orange light wouldn't come on no matter how much I pushed it. The system has remained dead for a number of weeks whilst my dealer was pursuing a replacement part on back order from Germany.

Here is a pdf file of the technical service bulletin related to this problem:

http://members.roadfly.org/bmw_e46_m3/bulletins/650804.pdf

Now for the good part...HERE IS THE FIX:

(1) Insert key but do not turn on ignition
(2) Turn on headlights (don't ask but it works!)
(3) Disconnect battery
(4) Remove fuses no. 7 and no. 41 from holder in glovebox
(5) Wait 5 minutes
(6) Reconnect battery & plug fuses back in

Voila! The DSP, radio, CD, SatNav voice etc. are all restored :M5thumbs:
Click to expand...
i don not have fuse no 7 ....you think it will work with only fuse no 41

thanks
 
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#17 ·
TRY IT!
 
#21 ·
I certainly wouldn't pay $1000. Try a second opinion from another dealer or independent specialist. Ebay is always a good source if you really need a specific part. You could also consider replacing the stereo etc. with an aftermarket unit.
 
Q
#24 ·
hate to bump an old thread but just wanted to say thanks to the original poster. :applause:

my radio quit working... no DSP on the NAV screen and no orange light when i tried to turn it on. i tried this and it fixed it. i was surprised to say the least... i thought for sure i was getting ready to spend 500 bucks to fix it.

does anyone have any idea what actually causes the radio to quit like this? or why following this sequence seems to fix it? i hate not knowing why something happened. :dunno:

now i just need to figure out what kind of battery to get.
 
M
#25 ·
"hate to bump an old thread but just wanted to say thanks to the original poster. :applause:"

+1 for me too. Thanks a bunch Ashok.

Another testiment to the benefits of this board.

I have an 03 and as someone here said I would have thought they would have worked this out by 03. I am still under warranty and if it happens again I might take it in to see about replacement.
 
R
#28 ·
+1

I was having an absolutely crappy week. Taking my son to daycare when suddenly the nav screen goes blank and my radio shuts off. *Damn*

I restart the car, screen still blank but the radio is working ... for about 30 second then nothing. Can't even get the cassette button to work.

All I could think at the time (currently dealing with CBU) is F*CK!!! All in caps. What is this going to cost me?!?!

Once I get to work, I check the nav unit. Seems to be working.

I check the board, find this most wonderful of posts. When I get home, try the reset and viola!

Not only is my nav working, but I'm getting additional FM stations and my screen appears to be nearly twice as bright.

Remarkable

One caveat, while disconnecting the - terminal, I let go of the cable and it fell back on the terminal post causing the Nav computer to spin up again. I pulled the cable away worried that I may have fried my Nav. Thank God that didn't happen. In retrospect, best to either cover the terminal post immediatly after removing the cable, hang on to the cable, or let the Nav spin down if it powers up again.
 
#29 ·
:thumbsup:
 
#30 ·
Sound went dead today, everything else worked but no audio. I found this thread and followed instructions...not only do I have audio again, my DSP is now working like normal. Before, the DSP would reset all my settings to default no matter how many times I would set it. Screen is brighter too.

Many thanks!

:cheers:
 
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