[rayyyes]

Hey ladies and gents,

I have a 2011 F10 (523i) with the small CIC screen without Navigation.

It has 142,000 KMs on it and everything runs perfectly smooth, expect for the CIC system.

It's like it's been suddenly reset to a bare bone stripped down corrupt version of the software.

The problem:

1- I turned my car on about 6 months ago and noticed the CIC system reset itself to German language with many of the Menu items missing or unaccessible, and other new items (that I never had) suddenly added to the Menu. Please see photos.
Luckily I can change the language back to English, but i can't change the Date/Time or other settings.

2- Sensors front and back alwayswork, but camera doesn't.
It only works if I put the car i reverse ONLY while the BMW screen is showing on the CIC and the system is still loading.
Otherwise, only the sensors work and the screen shows no camera. See photos.

3- I can't see any pictures anymore on the screen. Please see photos

4- I can't access Vehicle Information or Service details.

5- Over the next weeks, the system would work as normal once every 10-15 times I turn on the car. But mostly, I still got the stripped down German corrupt version.

6- it's been over 3 months now and the CIC idrive system is still corrupt, and it doesn't work every now and then anymore.


What I did:

1- took it to the dealership, they said it might be the battery, so i went ahead and replaced it.
Still same problem.

2- they said they can try to reset/update the whole software of the car, but it might cause other parts of the car to fail. ( I asked how and why, got no straight answer)
Since it's out of warranty, they're NOT RESPONSIBLE if anything goes wrong after the reset/update.

3- I declined the reset, afraid it might kill my car altogether.

My questions:

1- Has anyone faced a similar issue?
2- Any solutions I can try myself?
3- Is it true what the dealership said about a software reset/update causing malfunction to other parts of the car?

I've looked everywhere online but it seems like a very rare problem with no apprent cause or clear solution.

I'm desperate so any suggestions are welcome now.

Regards,

Hopeless bimmer owner.

[jmf30]

Dude! Tell me you figured this out. My 2014 F30 328 is doing the same thing. It’s in this barebones German menu. BMW thinks I need to replace my shifter and shifter module because this is blocking them from resetting my software. Sounds really odd and it’s $1200 so I’m skipping for now.

[Chizo]

Same problem here, anybody found a fix??

[mez87]

I'm having the same issue here on my 2011 F10 528i with small screen and CHAMP2 head unit. This is the only documented instance I've found for this issue online so I wanted to share what I've found in case it helps someone.

Here's where I'm at:

I've taken the vehicle to two BMW specialists now.

The first (using E-Sys) tried to recode the unit and reset/flash the vehicle order - CHAMP2 unit would not accept. Cleared faults, carried out battery reset, carried out control unit reset (unplugged and left power disconnected for 30mins+). Re-attemped - same result. Process failed to code. Suggested taking to a workshop that has ISTA-P to attempt full vehicle programming/software update in hopes it will resurrect.

Took it to a second workshop (using ISTA-P). They updated complete vehicle software, but the CHAMP2 unit would not accept software update or coding. Process failed. They concluded that the CHAMP2 unit has failed internally (firmware/software issue) and is not able to be resurrected.

Both suggested to find a used CHAMP2 unit from another vehicle and to carry out 'control unit virginizing process' and restore the certificates (repair pack) from 'bimmertool.com' online, as a new replacement part is not available.

I'm still deciding what to do at this point, but here are some symptoms (and additions to OP's notes) for this issue, in case this helps anyone:

• On-board monitor/screen showing in German (default) with only Czech (I think) as other option - No english option.
• Missing main menu options/screens
• Unable to set time and date
• None of the head unit buttons work, other than the volume knob (mode, track next/back, favorites/shortcuts etc. not working)
• Check control/service status menu shows blank page
• Tire pressure monitoring screen off center and only showing circles, not outlines of tires and pressures (TMPS warning light also on with communication error)
• AUX radio mode not an option
• Bluetooth completely inoperable and unresponsive
• Radio station text appears jumbled/esoteric
• Unable to review or reset service reminder and history
• Unable to check oil level

This issue is sadly really debilitating and seems like it's going to be somewhat of an ordeal to rectify. I will be sure to update this post/thread once (or if) I take further action.

I wonder if anyone else has had this issue or OP ever had it rectified...

[jekagavrilov]

Originally Posted by mez87

I'm having the same issue here on my 2011 F10 528i with small screen and CHAMP2 head unit. This is the only documented instance I've found for this issue online so I wanted to share what I've found in case it helps someone.

Here's where I'm at:

I've taken the vehicle to two BMW specialists now.

The first (using E-Sys) tried to recode the unit and reset/flash the vehicle order - CHAMP2 unit would not accept. Cleared faults, carried out battery reset, carried out control unit reset (unplugged and left power disconnected for 30mins+). Re-attemped - same result. Process failed to code. Suggested taking to a workshop that has ISTA-P to attempt full vehicle programming/software update in hopes it will resurrect.

Took it to a second workshop (using ISTA-P). They updated complete vehicle software, but the CHAMP2 unit would not accept software update or coding. Process failed. They concluded that the CHAMP2 unit has failed internally (firmware/software issue) and is not able to be resurrected.

Both suggested to find a used CHAMP2 unit from another vehicle and to carry out 'control unit virginizing process' and restore the certificates (repair pack) from 'bimmertool.com' online, as a new replacement part is not available.

I'm still deciding what to do at this point, but here are some symptoms (and additions to OP's notes) for this issue, in case this helps anyone:

• On-board monitor/screen showing in German (default) with only Czech (I think) as other option - No english option.
• Missing main menu options/screens
• Unable to set time and date
• None of the head unit buttons work, other than the volume knob (mode, track next/back, favorites/shortcuts etc. not working)
• Check control/service status menu shows blank page
• Tire pressure monitoring screen off center and only showing circles, not outlines of tires and pressures (TMPS warning light also on with communication error)
• AUX radio mode not an option
• Bluetooth completely inoperable and unresponsive
• Radio station text appears jumbled/esoteric
• Unable to review or reset service reminder and history
• Unable to check oil level

This issue is sadly really debilitating and seems like it's going to be somewhat of an ordeal to rectify. I will be sure to update this post/thread once (or if) I take further action.

I wonder if anyone else has had this issue or OP ever had it rectified...

The same problem on my mini r60 with champ2 navi. Dont know what to do. Any solution?)

[Matgsand]

I have dealt with this problem before ( 2011 F10 535i CIC small screen)

Tried everything from coding myself to booking the vehicle into the dealer for complete programming. - nothing worked.

The actual headunit is faulty and needs to be replaced - only solution (not even ecu/cu repair companies could fix it that I tried)

Once I replaced the headunit (new from BMW) and had it programmed by the dealer everything was back to normal.

The headunit from BMW is very expensive and can be a process ordering it, as there are plenty variants and etk seems to have an issue to get the exact spec even with your vin.

Good luck.

[IMPERIAL5]

Hello all! I have been dealing with this same problem and totally agree with Matgsand's comment. The only thing different is, I'm going to try a used head unit from Ebay with exact same model number and the production date is only 2 months apart from my original head unit. I'm going to install it myself and I'm almost sure it will need to be programmed even though I've seen post where a few people said it worked fine after installation. It should be here this week so I'll keep anyone that's interested informed!