BMW E46 Stereo volume-on-off knob repair (Part 1 of 2)

BMW E46 3 series Stereo volume/power knob repair DIY. This video shows how to remove the stereo and disassemble the unit to access and repair the broken knob. You need two 2-56 machine screws that are 3/8" long, one 2-56 nut and a 1/16" drill bit.
Part 2: • BMW E46 Stereo volume-...

[@gumpworsely]

I cannot thank you enough for posting this video. There is no way I could have done it without this video. All in all it took a couple of hours.

[@kmarks66]

Thank you.. Your video gave me the courage to take the radio apart. After doing so, I found the stand-offs were just cracked. One of the screws was most of the way out. The other, was rattling around inside the radio. Since the stand-offs were still in pretty good shape, i just epoxied the knob assembly right to the stand offs getting a good amount of epoxy on/in the stand-offs. I used 5-min epoxy, but let it dry over night before putting it all back together. Worked like a charm. Also, thought i would mention that I disconnected that flat ribbon cable from face plate. It comes off and goes back on pretty easy. There's a 'lever' type connector that holds it in. There's also quite a bit of length to it and you can pull on it without worrying about it tearing. However, you should still be very careful.

[@johnmcgary8903]

Thanks for this how to. I just finished fixing the knob on my M3. I think I only had to remove 3 screws from the top cover, 4 from the heat sink and 4 to free up the faceplate. I didn't remove the board from the faceplate either. My local HW store didn't have small enough screws, so I went with some good epoxy for the fix. It's pretty solid and works great. The ribbon cable is a little bit of a pain, but some tweezers through the side where the heat sink was did the trick.
Thanks again. I know this is an old video, but it's still helping people out.

[@aadavidb]

Awesome. This is exactly what I was looking for. My 2005 325CI vert has this problem and I was hoping to find a cheap fix. I plan on tackling this project next week, once I find some time. THANK YOU for taking the time to document the dissassembly details!

[@EverGone03]

freaking awesome!!!! thanks man!!! my power knob broke like that 2 months ago...now i can finally fix it!!! **thumbs up** thanks alot man, just saved me money!! thanks again

[@Minhle-mj1wd]

Thank you for your successful editing

[@maznraz]

Thank you so much for this. I followed your guidance and got my radio knob fixed. Now can you do one about the rain sensor and left door latch? ☺ Again, thanks!

[@bosteropirata]

Thank you, I didn't have the balls to do it, but thanks to your video I did it...

[@bearing01]

Awesome. Get-er-done! Thanks for commenting. /John

[@bearing01]

@mnml2006 You're welcome. I'm happy I could help. Thanks for commenting. /John

[@littlered73mgb]

Thank you dude....the EXACT same thing was wrong with my 330i. AND I only had three screws left over...lol

[@djattimes]

I have the same issue, thanks for taking the time.
Who the F would dislike this video?!

[@__TLG__]

Is he putting nuts on the other side of the plastic mount or screwing the machine screws to the plastic?

[@bearing01]

@wh855c Thanks for watching and commenting. I don't know much about fixing the RC key. My guess is that the battery inside is old and not charging up (while you have the key in the ignition). Try taking the key apart and replacing the battery. /John

[@bearing01]

@EverGone03 I'm glad I could help. /John

[@ivostiil]

Can I use whole volume knob unit from BMW reverse for replacement in business CD ? Because it has a strange problem, I have to turn volume knob very slow to work, if i turn it fast it don't work. :(

[@avd1697]

does this work for the ones with the navigation screen?

[@bearing01]

@captaincp21 Awesome. Glad I could help. /John

[@bearing01]

you're welcome. John

[@bearing01]

@FloEvans Too bad man. Look on ebay for a replacement. /John

[@bearing01]

You're welcome.

[@FloEvans]

Wish I would of watched this before ripping mine apart. Cracked the faceplate and the white mount... I think it's a total loss :(

[@MrJernej23]

Hello
I'm thinking of doing the same thing...dismantling an old cassette radio and taking the complete button from there :)
Can anyone confirm that they are the same??
And off course thanks to bearing01 for posting this DIY, still gathering the courage to do it soon! hehe

[@marccusumano1138]

Bad diy in the time the battery died and he removed the front plate he didn’t show how he did that...when my front plate came off the ribbon disconnected bricking the unit

[@bearing01]

@bosteropirata Thanks /John

[@MrShaunhodson]

i think he should have done it once before he recorded himself, sounded like a right hit and miss mess..

[@bearing01]

I dunno. Thanks. /John