E39 Radio volume preset problem

[Kiwi Jack]

Hi - I have just bought a 1996 E39. Great car, but I have a niggle with the entertainment system. It's a standard BMW unit with a tape in the dash and a CD stacker in the boot, but when I turn on the ignition on the volume comes up at a preset level that is way too loud. This only happens if the car has been sitting for some time - if I just switch it off, take out the key and then switch the ignition back on again the volume stays at the level it was when I was last listening to the radio.

I have searched and searched through the manuals and can't find any preset control that I can vary. When I asked my local dealer they suggested taking the whole radio unit out and sending it away to the BMW head office (here in New Zealand). They said that there is an auto volume function that monitors the ambient noise level when the car is driving and alters the volume accordingly, and they felt there may be a fault in this system.

I'll do this as a last resort, but can anybody suggest an easier alternative option?

 

[bonswa93]

I don't think this is your problem, but you can set the level of the "ambient sound" feature. It works by matching volume to speed and GAL (which is the German acronym for Speed Sensitive Volume) turns up the volume by 1dB per x MPH over a certain point. That point is raised and lowered by the GAL setting.

Press and hold the "M" switch for about 10 seconds when you turn on the radio you will access the systems function menu. First, make a note of the serial number in your owners manual. The SN will be will be the first thing that appears. If you ever lose your battery you will need that code to reinitialize the radio. Otherwise, you will have to pull the unit to get to the serial number. Then use the < > to move through the other options. The ambient feature is labeled "GAL" and has settings 1 - 6. Lower numbers cause less change - higher numbers more. I think 3 is the default.