Engine broke down after car washed!!

A week ago, I brought my car to the car wash. When the car approach the end of the track, I noticed that the engine was off by itself. I tried to turn it back on, but it failed. I tried for more than 1.5 hour to see if the situation will turn better when it's a little bit dryer.( I usually wash my car like only 5 times a year because I found water will come in to the passenger floor from the bottom area of the glove compartment. I am sure the water must be from the car wash machine spray cleaning the bottom of the car.) Unfortunately, the car had to toll to the garage to be fixed. The mechanic can't get any signal from the engine computer, and there is no signal for fuel to come up to start the engine. He thinks the engine computer is broken since he opened it and found alot of mold and rust on he computer board. He advice me to replace it and then to see if any signal to tell him what cause the engine don't start. The engine computer will cost me $900 from BMW dealer. I can't affort this money. Even if I have that replaced, the main problem may not be recover if there is no signal for any clue which means the total fixing cost is unknown now, but sure it will over $1000. The market value of the car is $4500. I don't know if I should have the car being fixed or total lost the $4500 car. Please help if you know what cause the problem. Thanks.

I read an article about this same problem with a other BMW owner. He had taken his car thru a car wash and it did the same thing yours did.
His problem was he need a new computer. I'll try and find the link about this article for you. I just replaced my computer in my 325I and it was around $700.

I'll get back to you later. . .

Sorry I wish I had better news for you. . . .

Skycity_BMW

Thanks for your reply. I will look forward for your message. :naughty:

I hope this helps . . .

http://www.alldata.com/techtips/2003/20030602e.html

Good Luck ! !

Skycity_BMW

Skycity_BMW, you are super!! Thanks for your help and time!!

I have a 1993 325i and also had my car die when coming out of a car wash. Verdict: fried the ECM. Cost: $1200. My mechanic stated that the ECM was corroded and that the extent of the corrossion implied that it had occurred over time - this time through the car wash was just the final straw.

I also have located other instances when this nightmare has occurred. In fact, after my debacle, I visited a local "Hand Wash" car wash to inquire how they washed their cars. Without telling him what kind of car I had, I told the owner I had just spent $1200 to replace a computer module that had been damaged in another car wash. He asked me if it was a BMW 325. When I replied in the affirmative, he said he paid for 3 ECMs in the past and will only wash my model car if the driver signs a waiver. He also mentioned that one of the other BMW owners sued the dealer and won.

I was fortunate. My insurance company cover my damaged ECM (they are currently sueing the car wash for reimbursement of their outlay and my deductible). The insurance adjuster that came out to see my car, however, said the ECM had corroded over time and he was surprised the insurance company was covering it (I certainly wont be calling him as a plaintiff's witness). As I said, I was fortunate. I located an article from another BMW owner having the same thing happen whose insurance would NOT cover it -they claimed it was a BMW problem. Nonetheless, BMW has no recall for this obvious design defect and repeated attempts by me to discuss this issue with them have resulted in the run around.

The article on the link you received above discusses the problem my local BMW service center reiterated: The drainage system for the EMC was clogged. Instead of replacing the drainage tube with a modification, they just removed it altogether. They also told me that if I go to a Jet Ski shop, I can get a water protectant desinged for a jet ski's electronics and I can spray it on my new ECM.

Final result: Removing the drainage system and spraying the ECM with protectant is all well and good, but do I really want to risk losing another ECM? (I doubt my insurance would cover it a second time) So- I now hand wash my car. BMW finishes like that anyway.

Hope this has helped.

You fags should be handwashing your cars in the 1st place... My grandma is the only person i know who puts thier car throught mechanical car wash...

I just have my car fixed for the DME(Engine Computer). After I search in the internet, I found alot of people had the same problem that I did. Now I learnt the lesson with paying $500(Parts & Labor). If I listen to the mechanic to buy the DME from the BMW Dealer, my bill will be $1300. I contacted a person who's car got hit in the accident and parting out the parts. He sold me his DME for $120(Included Express shipping). I saved alot of money althought the part is used, but it works. Now I have to think of a way to prevent rain or water from going into the DME box. Any suggestion?? People suggested to put into a plastic bag, but it will block the heat from the DME. How could BMW have such a stupid design for the water drainage under the windshield??? Should they reposible for all owners' lost??

look for a new ECU on ebay. i got one for my bmw for $125. My car also leaks in that same spot, but i don't know where from. Please let me know if you find where the water is coming in.

Hey
All you need to do pull the dme, open up the case Buy some electrical contact cleaner, fast drying, get a toothbrush, Gently clean the curcuit board. youll see the corrosion. Dry thouroghly. reasemble dme This will cure your problem for a couple of dollars install dme back in firewall with a plastic bag over it and you'll be back on the road. I've done this on about twenty or more E36 's and have had no problems

Hi,
I had the same problem a week ago. BMW dealer tried to charge me $1700. Eventually I found a used DME and now my '94 325is is running again. But the check engine light is still on and car is a little bit smoking. It wasn't smoking before the problem. I didn't look inside the DME, could the DME include a modified ecu chip. Because I'm using 89 octane but as far as I know modified ecu chips require higher octane gas. What can I do for the check engine light and the smoke?
Thanks.

Smart to get a used DME to fix the problem; otherwise, you'd be broke due to BMW's FANTASTIC design for a non-waterproof DME compartment!

For Engine Check: I suggest you bring your car to a garage to check the code for engine check light. They have the code reader to tell which sensor failed.

For Smoke Problem: Does smoke come out from the engine or other area? Better ask mechanic to diagnose what's burning. Did you check your motor oil or other fluid?

Hi,
I had the same problem a week ago. BMW dealer tried to charge me $1700. Eventually I found a used DME and now my '94 325is is running again. But the check engine light is still on and car is a little bit smoking. It wasn't smoking before the problem. I didn't look inside the DME, could the DME include a modified ecu chip. Because I'm using 89 octane but as far as I know modified ecu chips require higher octane gas. What can I do for the check engine light and the smoke?
Thanks.

Hi jkhe988,
Thank you for replying.
Yesterday, the day after installing the DME check engine light disappeared while I was driving the car. Also car doesn't smoke anymore.

Hi, I had the same thing happen to my 1992 325 last week. I was wondering if you could tell me what state this occured in so that I could see if i can find the case records from the dealer being sued. I would like to walk into my local dealer with those in hand.



I have a 1993 325i and also had my car die when coming out of a car wash. Verdict: fried the ECM. Cost: $1200. My mechanic stated that the ECM was corroded and that the extent of the corrossion implied that it had occurred over time - this time through the car wash was just the final straw.

I also have located other instances when this nightmare has occurred. In fact, after my debacle, I visited a local "Hand Wash" car wash to inquire how they washed their cars. Without telling him what kind of car I had, I told the owner I had just spent $1200 to replace a computer module that had been damaged in another car wash. He asked me if it was a BMW 325. When I replied in the affirmative, he said he paid for 3 ECMs in the past and will only wash my model car if the driver signs a waiver. He also mentioned that one of the other BMW owners sued the dealer and won.

I was fortunate. My insurance company cover my damaged ECM (they are currently sueing the car wash for reimbursement of their outlay and my deductible). The insurance adjuster that came out to see my car, however, said the ECM had corroded over time and he was surprised the insurance company was covering it (I certainly wont be calling him as a plaintiff's witness). As I said, I was fortunate. I located an article from another BMW owner having the same thing happen whose insurance would NOT cover it -they claimed it was a BMW problem. Nonetheless, BMW has no recall for this obvious design defect and repeated attempts by me to discuss this issue with them have resulted in the run around.

The article on the link you received above discusses the problem my local BMW service center reiterated: The drainage system for the EMC was clogged. Instead of replacing the drainage tube with a modification, they just removed it altogether. They also told me that if I go to a Jet Ski shop, I can get a water protectant desinged for a jet ski's electronics and I can spray it on my new ECM.

Final result: Removing the drainage system and spraying the ECM with protectant is all well and good, but do I really want to risk losing another ECM? (I doubt my insurance would cover it a second time) So- I now hand wash my car. BMW finishes like that anyway.

Hope this has helped.

check this site out about another Bimmer goin thru the wash . .
This was in june 14th 2000

http://www.complaints.com/complaintofthedayjune142000.2.htm


Skycity_BMW

Mine is in NY state. I'm thinking to hire a lawyer to sue the BMW dealer in here. If this is a common problem everywhere, why should we suffer the pain?!

I recently had the same problem with my '92 325i (E36). I took it through a car wash, and right after the wash was done my car didn't start. I let the car dry out for about 2 weeks, and then it worked well. However, after a week it died again. Somehow the entire electrical system in my car was affected and the battery lost its charge. My advice is that before you buy a new computer, check the battery. I learned from a mechanic that the E36 only has two drains at the base of the windshield. So when there is a lot of water, such as in car washes, the car cannot quickly drain the water. Consequently, the computer is right next to the drains, and that causes the problem. The problem was solved in the new 3 series by adding two more drains. Hope this helps.

Would the same thing happen with hand washes? I just got a '94 325i and I really hope I don't have to run into this problem...

Would the same thing happen with hand washes? I just got a '94 325i and I really hope I don't have to run into this problem...

Blufire:

If by "hand washes" you mean washing the car yourself, after replacing my ECM, I have had no problems now that I wash by hand. If, on the other hand, you mean a "hand wash" car wash (i.e., brushless or some other kinder gentler system), the problem is the amount of water these car washes use coupled with the inability of our cars to adequately drain it (my local "hand wash" car wash dumps - at high pressure - 50 gallons of water on a car).

If you gently hose off your car, you should have no problems. Also, as I mentioned earlier, my local dealer suggested using jet ski electronic protectant on the ECM. I'm adding a Jim Conforti Chip to mine at which time I'll spray it with jet ski protectant and encase it in a plastic bag.

I also have the same problem after a carwash, but do any of you guys know why does the battery get drain?

K Chan

Hi, my name is jose, I was wondering if you were able to fix your car?
And if so, what was your solution?
Because I have the same problem, I sure will like some help.

Thanx

Hi Jose,
I just search through the internet for a used DME(Engine Computer) for my 94'325. What year if your car? Find out what is the part # for your model, then search through this Automtive Forums and see if anyone parting out their car which fit your car. Once you bought the DME, you can open the black plastic cover located on the firewall of passenger side when you open the hood. Unplug the cable and plug in the new one. It should be ok then. If you car had been towed to your home, you will save alot of money. If your car is in the mechanic place, then ask them to wait for you to decide to fix it or not. In the mean time, you have to find the parts asap. If the mechanic don't want to wait, then tow it to your home. This will only apply to the situation that when you brought your car to carwash and right after you finish the track, you car suddenly died and can't start again. I really pissed off when I found out that this is a common problem for all BMW 3 series. I really want to know if anyone sued the BMW and won the case. Good luck.

When you change the DME can you just swap the part with an identicle one? I heard that you have to take the car to a dealership to have the DME re-codded.

A week ago, I brought my car to the car wash. When the car approach the end of the track, I noticed that the engine was off by itself. I tried to turn it back on, but it failed. I tried for more than 1.5 hour to see if the situation will turn better when it's a little bit dryer.( I usually wash my car like only 5 times a year because I found water will come in to the passenger floor from the bottom area of the glove compartment. I am sure the water must be from the car wash machine spray cleaning the bottom of the car.) Unfortunately, the car had to toll to the garage to be fixed. The mechanic can't get any signal from the engine computer, and there is no signal for fuel to come up to start the engine. He thinks the engine computer is broken since he opened it and found alot of mold and rust on he computer board. He advice me to replace it and then to see if any signal to tell him what cause the engine don't start. The engine computer will cost me $900 from BMW dealer. I can't affort this money. Even if I have that replaced, the main problem may not be recover if there is no signal for any clue which means the total fixing cost is unknown now, but sure it will over $1000. The market value of the car is $4500. I don't know if I should have the car being fixed or total lost the $4500 car. Please help if you know what cause the problem. Thanks.
your model bmw the ecu computer is behind the fire wall , if water is comming through the passanger side most likely it is coming through your fire wall and your ecu probably got drowned out, not what u wanted to hear, good luck hope its something cheaper and easier to fix.

Here's a DIY site: http://www.geocities.com/e36rulz/DMEflood.html

Or worse case scenario it sucked in to much water through the intake and got blown into the combustion chamber and your entire engine if filled with water. Except about 7 grand if you want to replace it.

Ofcourse that would have to be alot of water. Same with your wet floor mats. That also would have to be alot of water to get all the way up behind the glove compartment. Ive seen numerous 3 series like yours that have the same water problem.

When you change the DME can you just swap the part with an identicle one? I heard that you have to take the car to a dealership to have the DME re-codded.

If you bought an identical DME that fit your car, then just unplug the cable and plug it to your new one. Then start the car, you should be fine then. No need to recode or something. That's easy. From now on, wash your car by hand. Don't bring it to the car wash. Cause BMW has to be "Hand Carried"!!! Good luck. :iceslolan

There is a bullletin to add another drain to the area where the computer is mounted. This problem is made worse by leaves blocking the drain that is already there.

this site should help:http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-DME-Repair/E36-DME-Repair.htm

Reading all of this makes me even scared just to drive my 328i in the rain....

Check your ECU compartment . . . it's easy and simple . . . just follow the DIY sites . . . to put your mind at ease