Navigation greyed out, fsc codes required?

[Dom cole]

Hi there, just bought a 120i 2016 from an Indy dealer, and noticed the navigation is greyed out in the menu, and physical button doesn't do anything.

I've taken it to local bmw dealer for diagnostics and have said it looks like a previous owner has had a fiddle around and tried to code 'something' into the system (carplay ect). Although there's no signs of anything on the system.

Essentially they say they want 200£ for the fsc code from BMW to get into the idrive and supposedly sort the system assuming they don't run into any other issues.

It's the first beamer I've owned and spent a fair bit on it to own long term, and although not having nav isn't the end of the world, it would be nice to have it considering the car has it (somewhere) in the system.

Just wondering if there's any other solutions/alternatives to going down the dealer 200£+ the 125 I've spent on diagnostics to get it back on the idrive?

Any help greatly appreciated

[Greydog]

Morning Dom

Welcome to the Forum

I thought the FSC was required when updating Navigation Maps, there are several sources for either 1 time use FSC and Life time FSC. I would Google and talk to a few suppliers like Rusty at SatNav Upgrades 

I don't know how hands on you are ? If you are then investing in a Diagnostic Program such as ISTA/INPA to mount on a laptop or tablet will save you a fortune long term.

Good Luck

Dave

[Dom cole]

Hi there

To be completely honest I have pretty much 0 knowledge on the idrive system as it's the first bmw I've owned, and would probably be hopeless at doing any work myself! I've been looking at all the forums to try find people with similar issues to see what people have said and get a basic understanding, but with little luck due to the variety of issues.

Im Only going off what the dealer has said to me about this 'code' which I did ask them to clarify was it the fsc code which they said yes. Just a bit confused as to what exactly they need and why it seems to be so costly just to 'get further into the idrive' as they put it to get this 1 function back working again.

Currently as the Navigation is greyed out and unavailable,  I wasn't sure if anyone had any idea what it could potentially be based on the knowledge someone has previously tampered with the idrive, and if it was something a local specialist may be able to fix and get the Navigation back without this hefty price bmw have quoted

Thanks

[Greydog]

Hi Dom

If the last owner started to update the nav without the FSC the update wouldn't activate. I believe yours should update from a usb.

BMW dealers currently are over £200 per hour for labour plus their cost for the diagnostic and FSC so the prices can be scary. They can also be quite difficult if they think someone has actually had the audacity to update stuff. I would check out SatNav Updates web site and email Rusty he is very very knowledgeable and helpful.

Hope you find a solution

Dave 

[Dom cole]

Right okay I understand. I have contacted rusty thanks for the info... would you know how would I go about updating the maps then? As from what I have been told I can do it via USB into the car, great! but as the navigation button doesn't take me to the menu and options.. how would I update the system?

 

[Greydog]

Hi

Only done it once with my brother inlaws 535d touring which had a USB connection in the glove box. As soon as we plugged the USB in the screen asked for the FSC all straight forward after that.

Some things to check if possible, do you know if the previous owner had changed anything (swapped the Nav unit) If they did the Nav unit may be coded to a different chassis number so first will need recoding to your chassis. You will need someone with ISTA/INPA for this.

If the Nav is original it may just be that the previous owner has brought a second hand copy of a Nav upgrade with a 1 time code that had already been used. so the car doesn't recognise it (anti theft) 

Good luck

Dave

 

[Dom cole]

I'm pretty sure it's the original head unit itself, is the nav unit within that? Although as bmw have told me, someone has tried to do 'something' to it before, and part of the trim near the cup holders you can see has been disturbed as part of it pokes out.

Other than this I don't know much else. Sometimes on startup I can click navigation as it hasn't greyed out before I can click it, when doing this it just gives me the message 'this function is currently unavailable'. Upon returning to the main menu it will be greyed out and cannot click

Rusty has since been in contact and advised me which update package I would require from his site based of what I have explained. But as you say Im none the wiser if something has been changed. I assume if the head unit is factory then it should be fine?

thanks

[Greydog]

Some BMW Dealers get quite snooty and can be seriously unhelpful if they think someone has tried to bend their inhouse upgrade system. I have heard of claims by some dealers that "non approved software has damaged the car" needing complete replacement of all idrive components. While some "upgrades" may not work just like your computer they can be deleted and over written.

It depends how much detective work you want to do? You could check one of the BMW Vin Decoder sites which would tell you what was on the cars build sheet regarding the Head unit/Nav system (Basic or High) then look at www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box it will bring up your model then look in the relevant section and check part numbers. Me I have to know (one of my sons calls me the Car Geek)

It may be that the head unit has been upgraded (trim not replaced correctly) but the FSC for the Nav isn't recognised by your chassis so an update will fix it

Good luck let us know how it pans out

Dave

 

 

[Dom cole]

Thanks for your patience and advice I really do appreciate it. I think your son is right! This is all new to me so trying to get as much info as possible to be sure.

So in terms of the build sheet... how would I compare what it states my vehicle has online, and what is actually in the car? Where abouts/which aspects should I look for within the car and part numbers ect? 

As for the fsc, rusty seems to believe one of the updates available on his page to suit my idrive should fix the issue. As you say if it has been upgraded in the past.. then I assume When I plug the USB in and install it along with an fsc that is produced from himself, then that could be problem solved? Just seems so crazy that bmw want all this money for the same thing!

 

Thanks again

[Greydog]

Morning Dom

When checking the Build Sheet next to each item ordered/required for the cars assembly there will be a Code (yes BMW still don't want to tell you what was fitted)

So as far as the codes there are two systems Business and High/Professional

The code for Business navigation is S606A the code for High/Professional S609A 

To actually check the part that is fitted it will need removing and the part number checked

As said Rusty has been developing work arounds and alternatives to BMW and Mercedes and Range Rover systems for a number of years now if he didn't get results he wouldn't have survived. If he is confident I would give it a go first, if it doesn't work I am sure he will give the technical support to get it all working (plus help from here if we can)

Dave

[Binny]

Hi all,

Ive just joined the Forum and read this post and i feel your pain Dom.

I have just retrofitted a CIC unit in my E91 and the most painful part is activating the Navigation.

I have tried every which way, taking all information i can from every source i have found and it seems you have to be an absolute expert with BMW tools to get these things activated.

Nothing i have tried so far has yielded any results, so i will go on to say, if there are members of the forum who are conversant with BMW tools and can actually get the Navigation activation sorted (with purchased FSC codes i might add), i am more than happy to pay for the service either remotely or in person.

Good luck Dom and i am hoping that a member will respond to my post.