1996 328I Radio/Cassette/w CD player

[JPalm]

I need some help, just purchased this 96 328I and the stock radio w/cassette, am/fm, weather band is having a intermitt. problem. When you turn the radio on, most of the time the station window (i.e. 94.9) is very faint. Sometimes the window is good and bright. I'm guessing a loose connection or faulty bulb? (if there is a bulb). Could this be a LED Problem? Any one, I would appreciate some feedback on this. Thanks alot!

[El Presidente]

if you use the search button, you'll find the answer.

:P

[Macksddy]

Had my 1996 328i for about a year now, and have similar problem. Initial search only pulled up this thread. FYI, almost all lighting in the BMW electronics are LED driven. I'd suspect possible problems with regulation of current/voltage through the LED. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Love the forum.

[OCSTINGFAN]

Hello all. I'm new to this forum. I just bought a 96 conv. 328i, and I am really enjoying it. It's my first bimmer, after nearly 20 years of driving small Japanese cars.

Anyway, I have a question precisely about the radio/cassette/cd controller on this vehicle.

The CD controls of the unit work fine as far as controlling the 6-disk changer in the trunk. I was just wondering if there is any way to fast-forward or back-up through a song while listening to it (not skipping to the next song or back one song). Most CD players seem to have this capability, but I can't seem to do this with this unit. Is that correct? If so, what a bimmer, er bummer.

Thanks for any insights.

[El Presidente]

you can. you have to hold it down, just like any other CD player.

Or apply very light constant pressue. I forgot. haven't had the stock for over a year.

[OCSTINGFAN]

I tried it using the same buttons as one uses to skip tracks, but it does not work.

I tried pressing lightly, pressing without releasing, etc. but the CD player immediately goes forward or backward by track number, not within a track.


>you can. you have to hold it down, just like any other CD player.
>Or apply very light constant pressue. I forgot. haven't had the stock for over a year.

[TommyG]

check out this link. I did it and managed to fix the problem. Had similar problems with fading lights before they went completely out.

(http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/bimmer/2002/10/radio.asp)

[Flom]

press the m button and then press forward or backward. that's how it works in my 96 328.

[OCSTINGFAN]

Thanks Flom. That was the specific piece of information I needed. It works!

[Fadec40]

I just installed satellite radio w/cd in my 98 328i and said goodbye to the stock Alpine cassette. It is a whole new world with satellite radio. Sounds pretty damn good through the stock six speaker system. The stock radio just didn't cut it anymore!

[El Presidente]

Very true.