iDrive knob binds

[LF Il bimmer]

I have a 2014 X5 5.0 still under warranty. 38k miles. I am setting up an appointment with the deal to have the 3rd iDrive knob installed. The knob binds impeding scrolling. The knob is designed to bind when coming to the end of a menu selection, but not in the middle of a selection array. For example while trying to scroll through radio presents.

There have been no liquids spilled on it. Anyone else experienced this problem? Seems unlikely to have lightening strike twice in the same place.

Love the truck otherwise.

[Maverik259]

Mine was binding when I first bought mine. Fixed under warranty. And I've also never had mine "bind" when coming to the end of a menu. Like ever ever. I'm pretty sure it's just supposed to spin and spin and spin. Like the radio volume. It's digital not analog. But then again. Maybe you're right.

[deutsch100]

Wow, so surprised this is happening to F15s, as we had this problem in our early 2000s 7 Series and in my launch edition 2007 E70 X5. I cannot believe this can still happen. I never had this, luckily, in my two F15s...but I know just the feeling of the iDrive knob binding!!

[Russmov]

Mine is doing this as well. Mine is the ceramic one though. Not sure what one you guys have.
I'm just about to be picked up by the dealer as we speak because they refinished my rims clear coat under warranty. Maybe I should ask them about the Idrive knob when I get there.

[DuSh]

Mine is ceramic and is also binding from time to time, but it is random and I can't explain why it's random. I mean if something is binding - it should do it all the time. But I get like maybe once or twice during a week.

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Mine is ceramic and is also binding from time to time, but it is random and I can't explain why it's random. I mean if something is binding - it should do it all the time. But I get like maybe once or twice during a week.

Mine is sporadic as well. Seems like it happens when scrolling clockwise. Feels like it won't go further than it does. I mentioned it to my Rep ,and he said if something sticky was spilled it obviously won't be covered under warranty, but if not then it should be covered. Have to wait until next time I bring it in. Hate not having my vehicle.

[LF Il bimmer]

Here is a not so good pic of my current idrive. Not sure if this help understand what version I have. The original knob and surrounding buttons were replaced about a year ago by the dealer. This knob now needs replacement. The dealer seems to think part replacement is the only option. Could this be a software/driver issue? My experience is sporadic as others have commented. It has become more frequent as time has passed.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by LF Il bimmer

Here is a not so good pic of my current idrive. Not sure if this help understand what version I have. The original knob and surrounding buttons were replaced about a year ago by the dealer. This knob now needs replacement. The dealer seems to think part replacement is the only option. Could this be a software/driver issue? My experience is sporadic as others have commented. It has become more frequent as time has passed.

Looks like you have ceramic knob - ceramic is just glossy coating that looks fancy - otherwise it's same knob.

Anyway it looks like I found a solution and a problem that was causing it. As usual many my findings are courtesy of Russian BMW club. It seems they have done it all lol.

So the problem is the plastic ring under the knob - it's broken (see the pic). Hence when you turn the knob sometimes that ring gets in the way as its ends are wiggling a bit due to ring being broken. So basically ends get jammed and you feel knob is turning with some resistance. Sorry I have the talent to make simple things complex while explaining something lol. Hopefully you got the point what I am trying to say lol.

Hopefully picture can clear it up better. So the solution is to remove that ring completely. Even if you get new knob assembly - the ring will brake again, so it's better to just take it away and be done forever (or at least for the life of the vehicle lol).

This is exactly what our Russian BMW forum members have done and they confirm that everything is working flawlessly. That ring arguably only has some dust proofing function (if even that) - no consensus on that. However, as I said everything is working like new without it. Problem solved.

I don't know how to disassemble that knob, but I'm sure just a simple flat plastic tool like they use for cell-phones - will do the job. AFAIK we only need to pop the cover gently from the knob dial and the rest is self explanatory. The trick is to not brake clips that hold knob cover - do it gently.

[redline9001]

I just made an appointment to get our third one installed ... it is a pain....

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Looks like you have ceramic knob - ceramic is just glossy coating that looks fancy - otherwise it's same knob.

Anyway it looks like I found a solution and a problem that was causing it. As usual many my findings are courtesy of Russian BMW club. It seems they have done it all lol.

So the problem is the plastic ring under the knob - it's broken (see the pic). Hence when you turn the knob sometimes that ring gets in the way as its ends are wiggling a bit due to ring being broken. So basically ends get jammed and you feel knob is turning with some resistance. Sorry I have the talent to make simple things complex while explaining something lol. Hopefully you got the point what I am trying to say lol.

Hopefully picture can clear it up better. So the solution is to remove that ring completely. Even if you get new knob assembly - the ring will brake again, so it's better to just take it away and be done forever (or at least for the life of the vehicle lol).

This is exactly what our Russian BMW forum members have done and they confirm that everything is working flawlessly. That ring arguably only has some dust proofing function (if even that) - no consensus on that. However, as I said everything is working like new without it. Problem solved.

I don't know how to disassemble that knob, but I'm sure just a simple flat plastic tool like they use for cell-phones - will do the job. AFAIK we only need to pop the cover gently from the knob dial and the rest is self explanatory. The trick is to not brake clips that hold knob cover - do it gently.

So now just to figure out how to remove the cover without breaking anything.
Thanks for finding this out for the rest of us dealing with it.

[LF Il bimmer]

Wow! Thank you for the detailed response. Much appreciated.

[smyles]

Russians, eh? I dunno, media told me not to trust them...

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by smyles

Russians, eh? I dunno, media told me not to trust them...

Lol yeah, those damn KGB and Putin agents. However, normal folks and car enthusiasts are not that different from folks here in US or in any other country in the world (they are basically a hostages of their own political system and corruption)

BTW, they were able to not only crack into US government and elect Trump (lol just kidding) but also cracked the new B58 as well as F90 M5

[robbief00]

Following.....this just happened to my knob yesterday!

I am still under CPO warranty but I would prefer to just remove the plastic ring myself as suggested above and avoid a dealer appointment. Anybody try prying up the cover to access the ring yet?

[r33_RGSport]

Seems like this happened on Ceramic package only, is that correct DuSh ?
It happened to my F06 650 before where it was equipped with Ceramic package.
I never got it fixed since I didn't have the car that long.

As far as taking it apart, as DuSh mentioned, just use plastic pry tool and the top piece will snap off.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

Seems like this happened on Ceramic package only, is that correct DuSh ?
It happened to my F06 650 before where it was equipped with Ceramic package.
I never got it fixed since I didn't have the car that long.

As far as taking it apart, as DuSh mentioned, just use plastic pry tool and the top piece will snap off.

Yes sir

[toddcullen]

My ceramic iDrive had the same binding issue. Popped off cover with small flat pry tool, pulled the ring out, popped the cover back on and viola! No more binding, ever. 2 minute job. Much easier than going to dealer for replacement only to have the ring break again. Design flaw on a $90k luxury SUV. Hopefully they fix for future vehicles.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by toddcullen

My ceramic iDrive had the same binding issue. Popped off cover with small flat pry tool, pulled the ring out, popped the cover back on and viola! No more binding, ever. 2 minute job. Much easier than going to dealer for replacement only to have the ring break again. Design flaw on a $90k luxury SUV. Hopefully they fix for future vehicles.

Does cover pop out without braking anything? Any pics? Thanks

[toddcullen]

Yes it does. Just be careful and take your time. Sorry no pics as I did this several weeks ago. Mine looked exactly like the pic farther up the thread.

[Maverik259]

Personally if under warranty I would just get a new one. Why risk damaging the ceramic when you can just get a new one. Just my thoughts. Although I did search a ton when this first happened to me and couldn't find anything about the ceramic top just popping off. Thought you had to take the whole think out and then disassemble from the bottom. I just thought it was some crumbs or debris getting in there. Good to know actually what it was! You rock Dush!

[robbief00]

I just completed this fix and knob is functioning like normal again. Thanks for finding this DuSH!

No need to remove the PCB board, just push down on the ring on one side with something flat and the other side will pop up to grab. When reinstalling cover, make sure to align the three plastic posts with the holes in the bottom PCB.

I have to wonder what the real function of this plastic ring is and what inadvertent effects could happen with it removed. Filling a gap to keep out dust sounds the most logical. Otherwise, I would think it was supposed to provide a bit more friction resistance to make the knob feel tighter when turning.

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by robbief00

I just completed this fix and knob is functioning like normal again. Thanks for finding this DuSH!

No need to remove the PCB board, just push down on the ring on one side with something flat and the other side will pop up to grab. When reinstalling cover, make sure to align the three plastic posts with the holes in the bottom PCB.

I have to wonder what the real function of this plastic ring is and what inadvertent effects could happen with it removed. Filling a gap to keep out dust sounds the most logical. Otherwise, I would think it was supposed to provide a bit more friction resistance to make the knob feel tighter when turning.

Thanks for posting the photos.