Secret Menu and Nav Settings Questions - MKIII/MKIIII

[BimmerBreaker]

So awhile ago my battery went out and since then the time on my navigation/OBC unit has not reset itself, nor the date. So I was trying to figure it out today, but it was not anywhere in any menu as far as I could tell, nor was it in the secret menu. I did, however, discover that the secret menu knew what time it was! Heres a little DIY and guide on the secret menu, from the begining through all the functions... I am sure most of you know this but for anyone who doesn't here is a little walkthrough. Do this at your own risk. I don't mess with settings before knowing what they are beforehand and recommend you refrain in the same manner.

From the start, go to Settings

Once you are in Settings, hold down Menu for about 10 seconds

It will take you to this menu

First section is "On Board Computer"

I really don't know what any of that means, but if you press Functions...

You get 3 options - Version, Key Settings, and Contrast. Contrast is pretty straightforward


I usually turn off my monitor when driving because its so bright and distracting, but this gives me a nice option to turn it down. I have it at -4. Next is Key Settings

I dont know what Key means, but that is where it was by default. I am also not sure what OBM increment sensor means. I assume Radio increment sensor has to do with the speed-volume increase level, which is something I will investigate later. It was strange that the next option over was FF instead of perhaps, 01, 02, etc... so I left it alone for now. Leave it alone for a second or two and the Function button will come back

This is computer version, probably not of use to any of us. Next (back from the Secret menu base menu) is Navi/Graphic Functions

Again probably not useful to any of us. Next on the secret menu is Video, which I can not access. After that...

GPS version. Then we have GPS Status, tells you the Latitude/Longitude and I even believe the current speed you are heading. Of course this was in my garage so I am at 0m/s

It bothers me that this menu knows the correct time but note on the bottom right that it does not know the date. If someone can help me with that, I would appreciate it

The last function under GPS is more boring numbers

Probably one of the coolest things we have is Sensor Check, including a real-time Gyro, telling you which direcetion you are headed, as well as the G-forces to go along with it. Sometimes it is fun to drive around with it on and it can tell you where you are going. Not sure why my Wheel Sensor is at 0 though but it may have to do with the fact that the car is not on

Lastly is telematic settings...


Pretty cool to be able to input your number and license plate in there. However I could not adjust the VIN, and it makes me wonder if my car got a radio from a 7 series - thus the "7er" designation. You can also input your car's color - useless but kinda cool

Hope you guys enjoy being able to know some of this stuff. If anyone can help me with getting my time and date set correctly that would be great. Also if anyone knows what the "Radio increment sensor" or "OBC increment sensor" does that would be cool. I get the feeling they both have to do with getting louder as speed increases, but how to set them I am not sure.

Enjoy the secret menu if you did not know how to access it before! I can now enjoy my navigation system being on without blinding me thanks to the contrast!!! Happy motoring everyone!

[Flybot]

Yes, your nav or radio is from a 7 series, wheel sensor is 0 because your not moving, and I to cant see why the time and date arent auto updated from GPS either, but its not.
The license plate and vin info is for a euro onstar sort of system, if Im not mistaken. No function in the US. Wheel speed and gyro info is used to calculate position when the GPS looses its signal.

[Kevin Da Clean1]

blackxs,

Setting the time & date was a piece of cake. But, I figured it out one morning while waiting to go out to breakfast with some ladies. So, I don't really remember how I did it. I kinda just stumbled upon it. Sorry & good luck... !

[Edgy99]

Subscribed for future reference. Unlocked the cluster a while back for those options but haven't tried this yet.

Date and time setting are not very intuitive, sorry don't remember exactly but I do remember took me a few minutes first time. Just go slow and you'll get it.

[sealbeach740]

To set the Date & Time via the Nav menu,

Go to the Menu & select Set or Settings (depending on your Nav version software).

Inside the Set/Settings menu option is a Date & a Time setting. For whatever reason (& it's counter-intuitive), set the Time first, then the Date.

That's it.

[Seb530DA]

+1 You need to set the time FIRST then you will be able to set the date.

[JackFunTeach]

I have been wondering for a long a** time about how to control contrast.

My problem has been the opposite. My screen is so dark that I can barely see it. And I'm hoping that turning up the contrast from the secret menu will also make the GPS screen brighter, too.

May be somewhere in there I will be able to even control my nav voice volume. If I happen to be listening to music moderately loudly, then the navigation voice is extrememly booming loud that I don't want to use it. If anyone knows how to make the nav voice lower than the radio volume, it would surely hook me up.

Re: the OP's day and date. As best I can remember there is a way to get to a day and date and time settings. I think it is in settings. I will play with it some more tomorrow. And I'll post here with specific steps if I can recall them all.
note: I have the MK IV.

[Edgy99]

Quick question -- BMW never officially told owners about these features, correct? I'm talking about unlocked nav and cluster. I'm writing up a post and want to confirm, if anyone knows.

[Lavalamp]

IV

[Qsilver7]

Quick question -- BMW never officially told owners about these features, correct? I'm talking about unlocked nav and cluster. I'm writing up a post and want to confirm, if anyone knows.

No, the info about and how to access these "hidden" menus is only written about in BMW tech documents.

For example...this is from BMW's "Drivers Information Systems" technical doc...and I believe you can find other BMW tech docs (in PDF format) at www.e38.org & www.e38.org/e39 . If you do a page search on either of those sites...use "pdf" as your search word and you'll skip to every link that is a PDF.

[Edgy99]

Thanks Q. I think the word secret is justified, if owners need to scour online sites for docs that don't even reference the right body style.

[Flybot]

Nice re-discovery of the secret menu. This is all well documented about 10 years ago.

[Qsilver7]

Thanks Q. I think the word secret is justified, if owners need to scour online sites for docs that don't even reference the right body style.

No problem. The interesting thing about your last statement (body style reference) is...there is so much shared basic design elements across BMW models built during the same time. There may be a few physical differences in design (like the MID from the e38/e39/e46 are all physically different) but they all operate basically the same way. The design architecture of BMW's communication BUS works the same way in all the models built during the same generation. So, even though the PDF info may be on an e38 or e53 (X5) site...the tech document will usually cover the e46/e39/e38/e53/e52.


For example, the PDFs below about the nav & wide nav & NG (new generation) radio systems discusses some of the details of the "secret menu" used in all of the aforementioned BMW models...the fact that the PDF is on an e38 site is only relegated to that it was an e38 owner that found & shared it on an e38 forum.

• BMW OnBoard Monitors (PDF)
• BMW Wide Screen Nav Monitor (PDF)
• BMW NG (new generation) Radios (PDF)

Nice re-discovery of the secret menu. This is all well documented about 10 years ago.

Ditto...but I guess we have to every-now-and-then drop some serious information "bombs" on all the noobs as far as to how much in-depth information is out there...and hope that they take the opportunity to broaden their knowledge base. Many of them can barely wade thru the FAQ/DIY threads...let alone all the tech PDFs out there. Most appear to really be addicted to being "spoon fed"...but eventually, they'll have to be weened from the "teet"...and pick up the proverbial "fork & spoon" and feed themselves.