BMW i3 CCC System Dead: Audio and Controls Unresponsive

Hi! I have some experience with car electronics, and I actually faced something very similar with my 2020 BMW i4 last year. At first, they also thought it was a CAN-BUS issue with my infotainment system going completely dark. Took it to my regular workshop, and after diagnostics, it turned out to be just a faulty main control module. Cost me around 235 Euro to fix, including labor. The iX3 in the shop had similar symptoms but needed different repairs, so these issues can be tricky. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you share: Have you checked if the fuses are okay? Did this happen suddenly or gradually? Any recent software updates or battery issues? Would be happy to share more details once I know more about your specific situation.

Thanks for sharing your experience! This happened totally out of the blue while driving yesterday. No warning signs before, everything was working perfectly fine during my latest service check last month at 19171 KM. I did check all the fuses first thing, they seem fine. No recent updates either, and the hybrid battery is showing normal levels. The strange part is, the rest of the car runs perfectly, it's just the complete entertainment system that's dead. I'm honestly relieved to hear it might just be the control module, was worried it could be something way more serious. Guess I'll need to book it in and have them take a look. Did your repair take long to fix once they identified the issue?

Hey there again! Glad you checked those basics first, saves a lot of troubleshooting time. Yeah, when it happened to my i4, it also came out of nowhere while I was driving to get groceries. Super annoying! The actual repair was pretty quick once they figured out it was the control module, took them about 2-3 hours total. Most of that time was actually spent on testing everything afterward to make sure all systems were communicating properly. But here's something interesting, since your symptoms are EXACTLY like what I experienced (everything else running fine except the entertainment system), I'm pretty confident it's the same issue. My mechanic mentioned these modules can sometimes fail due to voltage spikes or just wear out, even in newer models like ours. Quick tip though, when they replace the module, make sure they update all the firmware. Mine needed a complete software refresh after the new module was installed. Otherwise, you might end up with some weird glitches. Honestly, while it's frustrating, it's not the worst problem to have. The part itself isn't super expensive compared to other potential issues, and once it's fixed, it should be good to go. Let me know how it turns out, curious if it's the same problem!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info, this is exactly what I needed to hear! Really appreciate the heads-up about the firmware update too, definitely wouldn't have thought about that. I've just booked it in for tomorrow morning. The service advisor mentioned they've seen a few similar cases, so fingers crossed it'll be a straightforward fix like yours. You're right, it's annoying but could be way worse. At least I can still drive the car! I'll definitely keep the 2-3 hour timeframe in mind for planning my day. Knowing it's likely just the control module makes me feel much better about the potential cost too. I was imagining something way more expensive! Thanks again for sharing your experience. It's been super helpful having someone who's been through the same thing. I'll update the forum once it's fixed in case anyone else runs into similar issues!