lcc014

Like other e60 owners, I had problem with my remote keys and FM reception lately. Based upon the posts in this forum, most member fixed this problem by replacing the diversity amplifier which located next to the 3rd brake light. I ordered the amplifier from Garry in RI for $148. The amplifier is located in the passenger side C-pillar for US model. I think the UK model may be in the same side too (driver side) I followed the instruction in this forum :

1) removed the airbag plastic cover to exposed the screw underneath. I didn't use the dental floss. I used my small swiss army knife to pry it out. No problem and no scratch.
2) unscrew that screw.
3) used fingers to grep and pull out the C-pillar panel. Just take your time, 3 clips along the bottom side of the panel and slide it forward to remove it.
4) the amplifier connector (black color) and it's ground screw could be seen near the top of the C-pillar.

Closeup of the ground screw:

5) undo the ground screw (T25), black connector

6) remove the trim panel under the 3rd brake light. Grep the panel by finger and pull it downward and toward to the front of the car to undo the 2 clips. Once the 3rd brake light trim panel is off, you can see the other end of the amplifier connected to the shark fin antenna

7) take your time to undo the 8 clips that holding the amplifier. Room is tight up there and I had to pull the roof lining down by hand while undoing the clips. Don't pull the roof lining downward too much.

8) once amplifier is off the clips, slide it out from the 3rd brake light end with other hand pulling down the roof lining a little bit

9) this picture shows the amplifier still connected to the shark fin antenna

Closeup of the amplifier end connected to the shark fin antenna

10) undo the shark fin antenna connector - just press down the small tab next to the purple square and pull it out

Back side of the amplifier has metal fingers to make contacts with the rear window's wires mesh. So be careful not to deform or damage those metal fingers when sliding the amplifier back into the roof lining.

11) installing the new amplifier is also time consuming because we don't have enough room up there to press the amplifier back on those 8 clips.

12) slide the amplifier back above the roof lining and hold the shark fin connector end to turn the amplifier slight incline for getting the back side of the amplifier up against of the 4 clips in the back

13) use your fingers to push the front side of the amplifier up onto the 4 front clips. You would hear the 'click" sound and you know that you are all set.

14) connect the shark fine antenna to the amplifier and then the black connector and ground screw on the C-pillar side

15) put back the C-pillar trim panel and 3rd brake light trim panel.

16) test you remote key fob and FM reception.

I can now open/close the door so far away from the car in any direction (just like new)

One observation, BMW changed the part number of this amplifier as shown in this picture. Old part number showed on the old amplifier and new part number showed on the box. My car uses the 315 MHz.

Hope this help.

tooltec

Glad that you got it solved,I'm sure others will make use of your excellent DIY procedure.

lcc014

Other members' posting helped me to do this replacement much more smoother. I did the replacement this morning in parking lot. It took about 25 minutes.

CCS

Great write up! If i ever have trouble with this i will def consider your advice! Did you run into any trouble with it?

lcc014

The trouble that I had before the replacement : lost FM reception during highway driving, had to stand next to the rear side of the car to use the remote to lock/unlock the car !!!

I did not encounter any trouble during the installation. I just took my time

Curmudgeon

Great DIY! Thanks for posting.

Sorry, but I have to ask..."metal fingers" and ground screws are notorious for losing contact due to oxidation, especially in an automobile. Perhaps you did not need a new amplifier but only needed to remove it and clean the contacts. In the process of replacing it you did the same thing. Did you try the old amplifier again?

lcc014

No, I did not try the old amplifier again, but I kept the old one .....

BLooD

i had poor fm reception and it was blamed on the rear window heater, service center fitted a whole brand new screen wonder if they changed the amp too

lcc014

What about your remote key's distance ? Both the remote key distance and FM reception were bad. That pointed to the amplifier.....

Rudy

Considering the rear window contains the antenna elements for both the remote key as well as FM, I'm not sure how you can point straight to the amplifier if someone was having both key distance and FM reception issues...