1997 528i Radio Doesn't Work Properly

[ozbmw]

All AM stations and cassette player work fine as soon as I turn it on.
Here is the problem. Only when I want to listen to a FM station, the radio won’t turn on unless I leave the radio on for like 20 minutes on an FM station. Actually, it does turn on, but it doesn’t pick any FM frequencies. If I leave the cassette player or an AM station on and go back to FM it won’t work. I just have to leave radio on in FM for a while before it picks an FM signal.
Is this some kind of a common problem with these cars? I looked for loose/shorted wires, but it is hard to look at everything in a BMW. I don’t think it is due to a loose wire because when the radio turns on, it is not after shaking something somewhere.
Any suggestions, anyone? used


Thanks,

[fdeee]

Originally posted by ozbmw@Apr 3 2005, 03:00 PM
All AM stations and cassette player work fine as soon as I turn it on.
Here is the problem. Only when I want to listen to a FM station, the radio won’t turn on unless I leave the radio on for like 20 minutes on an FM station. Actually, it does turn on, but it doesn’t pick any FM frequencies. If I leave the cassette player or an AM station on and go back to FM it won’t work. I just have to leave radio on in FM for a while before it picks an FM signal.
Is this some kind of a common problem with these cars? I looked for loose/shorted wires, but it is hard to look at everything in a BMW. I don’t think it is due to a loose wire because when the radio turns on, it is not after shaking something somewhere.
Any suggestions, anyone? used


Thanks,

[snapback]324532[/snapback]

I have the same problem with my 97 528i. Sometimes the FM wants to come on and sometimes it doesn't. Drives me crazy.

[ozbmw]

I asked BMW dealer. Here is what they told me. It is not common problem, but while tinting the windows the antena might get damaged cuz it is built in the back window.
I bought this car used and it already had tinted windows. Did you have your windows tinted?

Originally posted by fdeee+Apr 8 2005, 05:07 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fdeee @ Apr 8 2005, 05:07 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-ozbmw@Apr 3 2005, 03:00 PM
All AM stations and cassette player work fine as soon as I turn it on.
Here is the problem. Only when I want to listen to a FM station, the radio won’t turn on unless I leave the radio on for like 20 minutes on an FM station. Actually, it does turn on, but it doesn’t pick any FM frequencies. If I leave the cassette player or an AM station on and go back to FM it won’t work. I just have to leave radio on in FM for a while before it picks an FM signal.
Is this some kind of a common problem with these cars? I looked for loose/shorted wires, but it is hard to look at everything in a BMW. I don’t think it is due to a loose wire because when the radio turns on, it is not after shaking something somewhere.
Any suggestions, anyone?* used


Thanks,

[snapback]324532[/snapback]

I have the same problem with my 97 528i. Sometimes the FM wants to come on and sometimes it doesn't. Drives me crazy.

[snapback]328244[/snapback]

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[duckman134715]

i've got a 328is only sometimes the fm radio works in my car too. it kind of started happening recently. my windows aren't tinted though.

[rsn48]

You need a new head unit. Apparently this is a bit of a common problem. Look at your auto import junk dealer to save some money.