Is It Possible To Reset Bmw Onboard Comp. To Factory Settings?

[birdofprey]

I have just purchased a BMW 530i [E39].
I am having problems with the onboard computer not functioning according to the manual. An example is I cannot access the RDS, all I get is TP instead of the full menu. Also the Cruise Control green indicator will not appear.
I was wondering if a Factory Reset is possible and how?

[TWR]

Not sure about that Bird, have you got a Code reader? I have one here, what is your area?

[TonyV]

Bird you need a man with decoder and know where plug is , then it's easy to reset

[TWR]

Hi Tony, hope the Weather is good for you on your travels on the M6? The plug for the Coder is under the bonnet & just forward of the Servo, it has a Black Cap on it.

[TonyV]

TWR gritted a few paths today early me done

[birdofprey]

I've been driving it this morning and my main problem is getting at the Menu for the radio. The Manual says that you should hold the 'info' button down and the Menu will appear. But all I get is 'TP'. I think it might be to do with me being an old fart because as I was driving I suddenly looked down and the full menu was showing. 'Great' I thought, I was going to do it as soon as I stopped. However it must have timed out and I have not managed to get it back. For the life of me I can't remember what I had done to make it appear.
Any help you can give me with this will solve my problem without needing a factory reset.

[TWR]

Is it a Clarion?

[birdofprey]

It is a BMW system installed as standard in 2001.

Is the code reader plug that you mentioned the same multi-pin socket that we use to reset the service lights?

[TWR]

Yes, that's the one, It's forward than the Servo, As you look at it from the front, to the right of the Master Cylinder, it has a Black Cap roughly the Size of a Paint Tin Top, when you open the cap in a twist motion, you will see the pins there, with one the shape of a Half Diamond, Before you try anything do you have the radio code? if so disconnect the battery leave for about 20mins then retry to see if it will re-set itself. ( don't call yourself Bird) everyone has some sort off issues, You did mot say the Model of the set only the BMW Issue set, there should be a Makers name on the Bezel.