BMW i4 Infotainment System Dead, All Screens Black

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2020 BMW i4 last year. The symptoms were exactly like yours, complete infotainment blackout. Initially thought it was a CAN-BUS issue, but turned out to be much simpler. After diagnosing at a certified shop, they found a blown fuse and a faulty main control module that needed replacement. It wasn't a wiring harness or bus communication problem as first suspected. The repair was straightforward once they identified the correct component. The symptoms can be scary, making you think it's a major electrical system failure, but in my case, it wasn't as serious as initially feared. My car was out of commission for about three days while they got the replacement part. Just make sure to find a shop with proper BMW diagnostic equipment, that's crucial for accurate troubleshooting on these electric models. The generic OBD readers often can't properly communicate with these systems. Good luck with the repair.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience. That definitely sounds like what I'm dealing with. Really helpful to know it might just be the control module. Would you mind telling me roughly how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also, has everything been working smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other quirks pop up? Thanks!

Hey again! Glad I could help! Just wanted to update you, after my last post, I actually took my i4 to a certified mechanic and got everything sorted. The Control Unit communication error was indeed the culprit, but it wasn't nearly as complicated as initially suspected. They fixed it by repairing some damage in the CAN-BUS system, and the total bill came to 235 €. Since the repair, my infotainment system has been working perfectly, no glitches, no black screens, nothing. The iDrive responds instantly, and all the connectivity features are back to normal. It's been about 8 months now, and I haven't had a single issue pop up. I know these electrical gremlins can be super frustrating, but once you get them properly diagnosed and fixed, they usually stay fixed. Just make sure you go to someone who really knows their way around BMW's electrical systems. These cars are pretty complex, and you need someone with the right diagnostic tools and expertise. Let me know if you need any other info!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! I actually just got back from the mechanic today, and you were spot on. Had pretty much the same experience as you described. Found a certified BMW specialist who diagnosed it right away, turned out to be a faulty control module and some wiring issues. The repair cost me a bit more than yours at 315 €, but honestly, I'm just relieved it's fixed. The whole process took about two days, and I'm happy to report everything's working perfectly now. The screen's bright and responsive, all my audio's back, and the iDrive's working like new. The mechanic also did a full system check and updated some software while they were at it, which was a nice bonus. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, it definitely helped me feel more confident about getting it fixed rather than just living with a dead system. Now I can finally enjoy my podcasts again during my commute! Thanks again for all your help!