2011 328i idrive knob not working

imac8 · 02-12-2025, 12:54 AM

Hello, after I changed my valve cover gasket and junked my battery my idrive knob and buttons are no longer working. The screen works and all buttons on dash just not the knob and buttons around it. Anyone experience this or know how to fix it or what the issue might be? I’ve checked fuses already.

ptpending · 02-19-2025, 04:17 AM

knob is dead (this is well known issue)
get another one from junkyard or ebay or new

DavesZed · 02-20-2025, 01:30 AM

As above.
iDrive controllers are dirt cheap on eBay, and even if they have scratched buttons you can easily swap them over for your old buttons (assuming they are OK), you can even get new aftermarket buttons from places like Aliexpress. So long as the replacement controller works you'd be good to go

If it comes to having to change the buttons, here's how to do it

imac8 · 02-20-2025, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavesZed

As above.
iDrive controllers are dirt cheap on eBay, and even if they have scratched buttons you can easily swap them over for your old buttons (assuming they are OK), you can even get new aftermarket buttons from places like Aliexpress. So long as the replacement controller works you'd be good to go

If it comes to having to change the buttons, here's how to do it

https://youtu.be/xR22CZ82Ldc?si=Zq8oE47j0B2K1kLG

Thanks!

imac8 · 02-20-2025, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptpending

knob is dead (this is well known issue)
get another one from junkyard or ebay or new

Okay thank you

02-12-2025, 12:54 AM	#1
imac8 Registered 6 Rep 21 Posts Drives: bmw 328i Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	2011 328i idrive knob not working Hello, after I changed my valve cover gasket and junked my battery my idrive knob and buttons are no longer working. The screen works and all buttons on dash just not the knob and buttons around it. Anyone experience this or know how to fix it or what the issue might be? I’ve checked fuses already.
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02-19-2025, 04:17 AM	#2
ptpending Brigadier General 693 Rep 3,324 Posts Drives: e81 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (1)	knob is dead (this is well known issue) get another one from junkyard or ebay or new __________________ E81 2007 130i 6cylinder Montego blue Retrofits: Harman Kardon, High-beam assistant, Removable tow hitch. Auto-dim folding exterior mirrors. Lumbar support. Perfomance Brakes.
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02-20-2025, 01:30 AM	#3
DavesZed Captain 221 Rep 627 Posts Drives: BMW E89 23i, 2011 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Grantham, UK iTrader: (0)	As above. iDrive controllers are dirt cheap on eBay, and even if they have scratched buttons you can easily swap them over for your old buttons (assuming they are OK), you can even get new aftermarket buttons from places like Aliexpress. So long as the replacement controller works you'd be good to go If it comes to having to change the buttons, here's how to do it __________________ Dave 2011, E89 23i, Grey with Red leather.... was very basic, now almost fully spec'd following all of the retrofits I've done! My Z4 E89 YouTube channel... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtt...0vHFUQnoEvKB2Q
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