FIX: Broken/Loose Volume/Power Knob for Stock Head Unit

How many people have this problem where they cannot turn on/off their head units because the power button is broke and loose? If there are enough people who need the fix, I'll post to Youtube, otherwise, I'm going to type up a DIY a little later. Let me know...

NicB.

mine is loose but works

I just took it apart and super glued the knob bracket back on.

My volume knob doesn't work like it should. When you try to turn it either way it doesn't really work well so I just use the steering wheel controls or turn it off and listen to the motor.

Originally Posted by ToddInLou

My volume knob doesn't work like it should. When you try to turn it either way it doesn't really work well so I just use the steering wheel controls or turn it off and listen to the motor.

Mine does the same... I'd be interested in a DIY!!

same problem too!

mine is messed up too, if i scroll it to change the volume it goes haywire

My Volume knob does the same... I thought I was the only one. I've been using the steering controls since I got the car.

Originally Posted by mxli330ci

My Volume knob does the same... I thought I was the only one. I've been using the steering controls since I got the car.

haha me too, i just got over it lol. but it always comes to bite me in the ass when a girl gets in my car and tries to jack my volume up and it goes nuts

Okay, well, I can't promise it's the same issue, but I'll get something worked up. That said, it'll be a day or two...been slammed at work. Stay tuned...

Originally Posted by ToddInLou

My volume knob doesn't work like it should. When you try to turn it either way it doesn't really work well so I just use the steering wheel controls or turn it off and listen to the motor.

+1
I find that pushing up and turning makes it work a little better.

I also Would like to see a DIY for this. Thanks!

I'd also like to see a DIY fix -- my '02 business cd volume knob is loose but still functional.

Same issue on E46 330i: At first knob is just loose but fully functional then one good push and the volume pot pushed back inside.

Root Cause: There are two screws that hold the volume pot assembly to the radio front control assembly. These loosen over time. Pushing the knob will cause the top boss to crack and the screw to come out. (Look for it inside before it shorts something.)

Repair:
1.Pull out the radio. (see other threads for this)
2. Remove the entire front control assembly, NOT the black plastic face plate. Here's how >Two screws top >one screw each side > 3 smaller screws on bottom that secure the shield. >Under shield two hidden screws toward the front down inside two small round openings.
3.Carefully pry the front control assy off WITHOUT damaging the flex circuit.

If you can attempt a repair of the boss without disconnecting the flex that would be best but chances are you will need access to the lower screw which can only be accessed by then removing the shield that covers the pcb on the back of the control assy. To remove the flex, flip the brown latch forward toward the flex and the flex should pop free. When reconnecting this flex hold the control assembly close to the radio so you don't pull too hard on the flex. Then by reaching in from the side with a pair of needle nose grab the flex and move it into the connector with the brown lever partially down(not up). While the flex is in the connector use a small flat screw driver
to flip the latch back and upward. This will pinch the flex into the contacts. This flex(ZIF) connector is a bit tricky and you might want to examine it closely to see how it works.

I used super glue and baking soda to fix the boss. The lower boss was ok so I just added some super glue to the threads and screwed it back in. I also snapped off a clothes pin and gently wedged it in behind the volume pot circuit pcb and a heat sink.

Good luck.

i just yanked on the knob till it came off.Then i pushed it back on lightly and it stays.if you push too hard it will "bottom out" but it dosent need a whole lot of pressure to turn off and on.its a temp fix.

"bottom out" I recommend you fix it soon while you still might have the screw bosses intact.

Alright so my volume knob snapped such that it wont power up. The volume aspect seemed fine as it will go scroll left and right fine but when you press it it will just push back.

FIX: Super glued the white plastic portion. See attached pictures. I did not have to take anything apart just did it from the opening at the top.

Tools: Super glue and a toothpick

Time to fix: 5 min once the deck is hand.

lol my old headunit did this. I heard a loud crack and it never wanted to power off again. Turning the knob left/right worked, but sometimes I would try to increase the volume and it would decrease the volume instead. Then it stopped reading disks so i just bought another OEM headunit from someone here on the forum lol

THANKS FOR THIS! Just got my stereo out and that DIY was excellent help!

But I have a question: I'm having difficulty with your instructions on disassembling the stereo. Found the two screws top and a couple on the bottom, but can't find hidden ones and I don't understand if the shield and the flex are the same thing?

Maybe we can chat through, or if you took a pic, or maybe you can steer me to another place? I'd be grateful.

Originally Posted by miclipse

Same issue on E46 330i: At first knob is just loose but fully functional then one good push and the volume pot pushed back inside.

Root Cause: There are two screws that hold the volume pot assembly to the radio front control assembly. These loosen over time. Pushing the knob will cause the top boss to crack and the screw to come out. (Look for it inside before it shorts something.)

Repair:
1.Pull out the radio. (see other threads for this)
2. Remove the entire front control assembly, NOT the black plastic face plate. Here's how >Two screws top >one screw each side > 3 smaller screws on bottom that secure the shield. >Under shield two hidden screws toward the front down inside two small round openings.
3.Carefully pry the front control assy off WITHOUT damaging the flex circuit.

If you can attempt a repair of the boss without disconnecting the flex that would be best but chances are you will need access to the lower screw which can only be accessed by then removing the shield that covers the pcb on the back of the control assy. To remove the flex, flip the brown latch forward toward the flex and the flex should pop free. When reconnecting this flex hold the control assembly close to the radio so you don't pull too hard on the flex. Then by reaching in from the side with a pair of needle nose grab the flex and move it into the connector with the brown lever partially down(not up). While the flex is in the connector use a small flat screw driver
to flip the latch back and upward. This will pinch the flex into the contacts. This flex(ZIF) connector is a bit tricky and you might want to examine it closely to see how it works.

I used super glue and baking soda to fix the boss. The lower boss was ok so I just added some super glue to the threads and screwed it back in. I also snapped off a clothes pin and gently wedged it in behind the volume pot circuit pcb and a heat sink.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by miclipse

Same issue on E46 330i: At first knob is just loose but fully functional then one good push and the volume pot pushed back inside.

Root Cause: There are two screws that hold the volume pot assembly to the radio front control assembly. These loosen over time. Pushing the knob will cause the top boss to crack and the screw to come out. (Look for it inside before it shorts something.)

Repair:
1.Pull out the radio. (see other threads for this)
2. Remove the entire front control assembly, NOT the black plastic face plate. Here's how >Two screws top >one screw each side > 3 smaller screws on bottom that secure the shield. >Under shield two hidden screws toward the front down inside two small round openings.
3.Carefully pry the front control assy off WITHOUT damaging the flex circuit.

If you can attempt a repair of the boss without disconnecting the flex that would be best but chances are you will need access to the lower screw which can only be accessed by then removing the shield that covers the pcb on the back of the control assy. To remove the flex, flip the brown latch forward toward the flex and the flex should pop free. When reconnecting this flex hold the control assembly close to the radio so you don't pull too hard on the flex. Then by reaching in from the side with a pair of needle nose grab the flex and move it into the connector with the brown lever partially down(not up). While the flex is in the connector use a small flat screw driver
to flip the latch back and upward. This will pinch the flex into the contacts. This flex(ZIF) connector is a bit tricky and you might want to examine it closely to see how it works.

I used super glue and baking soda to fix the boss. The lower boss was ok so I just added some super glue to the threads and screwed it back in. I also snapped off a clothes pin and gently wedged it in behind the volume pot circuit pcb and a heat sink.

Good luck.

Thanks for this. I just did this fix, but unfortunately when I was taking the radio apart, I knocked loose some spring that I can't figure out where it goes. Now my CD player is broken, but at least now I can turn on the power.