BMW Nav Cradle: Display Doesn’t Power On at First Engine Start (Works on Second Start)

BMW Nav Cradle: Display Doesn’t Power On at First Engine Start (Works on Second Start)

Applies to
CHIGEE Display units used on BMW motorcycles with an OEM navigation cradle (Nav Prep / BMW GPS cradle).

Symptom

  • The Display is already inserted in the BMW cradle.
  • You start the motorcycle for the first time (cold start or normal start) and the Display does not power on.
  • After turning the bike off and starting again, the Display powers on normally.

What’s usually happening (most common cause)

This behavior is typically caused by power timing + a brief voltage drop during engine cranking.
When you press the starter, the starter motor draws high current and the system voltage can dip momentarily. On some BMW models, the OEM cradle power output can also turn on slightly later or dip during cranking. If the Display begins booting during that unstable moment, the boot process may be interrupted and the unit won’t complete a “clean” startup until the next power cycle.
✅ This is usually not a hardware defect.

Option A (most effective)

  1. Turn ignition ON (Key ON / bike electronics on)
  2. Wait 5–10 seconds
  3. Start the engine
This gives the cradle power time to stabilize before cranking.

Option B

  • Start the engine first, then insert the Display into the cradle.

Step-by-step troubleshooting

Follow these in order:

Step 1 — Confirm it’s a “cranking voltage dip” issue

Try the Quick Fix (Option A).
  • If the problem improves or disappears → it’s very likely cranking power dip / timing, and you can keep using Option A or B.

Step 2 — Check battery health (common on cold starts)

A weak battery makes voltage dips more severe.
  • Does it happen more often on cold mornings?
  • Do other devices reboot/reset during startup?
If yes, consider checking the battery condition or charging system.

Step 3 — Check cradle contact and seating

A slightly loose fit or dirty/oxidized contacts can cause intermittent power:
  • Make sure the Display is fully seated and locked in place.
  • Inspect cradle pins/contacts for dirt or oxidation and clean gently if needed.

Step 4 — Update firmware

If you have access to a newer firmware version, update the Display. Power-management improvements may reduce edge-case startup behavior.

When to contact support

Please contact CHIGEE Support if:

  • The issue happens every time, even when using Option A/B

Please include:

  • Motorcycle model + year
  • Cradle type (BMW Nav Prep version if known)
  • Your Display model + firmware version
  • A short video showing:
    • Display inserted
    • Ignition ON → engine start → Display behavior
  • Whether Option A (wait 5–10 seconds before starting) changes the result