In-dash CD / speaker problem

[mdimbler]

I recently purchased and installed a brand new in-dash BMW CD player for my 97 540 (made for the X5). It is the BMW CD model which also plays mp3's and wma's. It has been great up until a few days ago. Now, when playing cd's on the in-dash, I get sound out of only the right side speakers. When playing radio or rear CD changer, sound is fine out of all speakers. Anyone have an idea of whether it may be a loose pin on the rear of the in-dash unit, a loose connection on the rear amp, or perhaps something inside the dash unit itself?

Thanks

Matt

[da_bull]

More than likely its the unit itself. I had a cassette player about 15 years ago do that to me too. It ended up being a micro-switch that told the internal amp to switch sources. It went bad and only the right side speakers would play. I replaced that switch and everything worked great. If yours is still under warranty, I would return it for an exchange. Most decent radios have at least one year warranty.

hope that helps

[mdimbler]

Solved the problem!

I removed the head unit and opened it up. Then took out the in-dash CD player portion of the head unit. On the underside there is an eight- or ten-pin connector that attaches to the bottom circuit board of the head unit. The very top pin is the LO (Left speaker Out). The dual pin (female) on the CD side had come apart so far that it was not making contact with the male side on the main circuit board. I used a tiny computer screwdriver to push the dual pins back closer together. That way they make the connection. Voila! Sound is back on left side.