Nav Screen cutting out

Hi

My sat nav screen used to cut out every 20 minutes or so whilst driving along. The screen would go black for about a second and then come back on again. Almost as if it were loosing power for a split second. I took it all apart today and cleaned the ends of the ribbon cables with some 400 grit wet and dry. I think there may have been a dry joint in one end of the ribbon cable as it seems to have solved the problem. the screen does not cut out any more.

My Navigation used to do the same (cut in and out) now for the most part when i am driving it remains a completely dark screen with additional flickers that make it seem that its just begging to come back on. do you think this could be a similar situation? if so how difficult was it for you to remove the screen?

It just happened to me. My NAV screen needed to be replaced. BMW wanted $2,900 for a reconditioned one. I found a brand new screen on eBay for a small fraction of the price (250) then costed 100 for install. I got new knobs for the radio. It works as a charm and looks new. eBay German auto recycler in riverside. Tom helped me and was right on the money with the NAV screen. I was afraid to starve the dog buying a reconditioned and was not necessary. It only needed a screen.

I advise against removing the screen yourself unless you are a wiz. I tried and damaged a ribbon tape that was impossible to replace. It takes the hands of a clockmaker, just like splitting isotopes. An expert hand does it in 40 min. Tom was the choice. I goofed the first time.

Originally Posted by EM06

How difficult was it for you to remove the screen?

I thought it was a reasonably easy job to do - but I am an electronics engineer.