Car problem need some help!!!

I put my 92 325is to a car wash, and the car didn't start after that.
I read in this forum that if you change the ECM on the car, that will solve the problem. Well I have change the ECM, but every time I try to start the car, the battery power gets drain.

Does anyone know how to solve this problem?

Thank for any info you can provide.

If your car starts and runs and then the battery drains, it's probably a bad alternator. If the car runs fine but won't restart once you shut the engine off, it's probably a battery with no reserve capacity (replace the battery). I'm sure there are other things that could cause a problem too, but these are the most common/basic fixes.

If your car starts and runs and then the battery drains, it's probably a bad alternator. If the car runs fine but won't restart once you shut the engine off, it's probably a battery with no reserve capacity (replace the battery). I'm sure there are other things that could cause a problem too, but these are the most common/basic fixes.


Thanx for the info Ironman502

The problems is that the car does not start at all, and in the process of trying to start the car, the battery will get drain.

Ohh, so as you crank the starter it will go slower and slower and then stop with a dead battery? Hmm, I can't fix that problem. I would guess it has something to do with the starter or ignition coil pulling too much power, but I wouldn't even know where to start. Hopefully someone else here has better knowledge of the problem than I.

Help!!!!!!

Hey 007 . . . .

I had the same thing happen to me. I got a new ECU and my started.
When I posted my thread . . . people told me to check my "Crank Trigger Sensor"

I hope that helps you and kinda points you in the right direction.

GOOD LUCK ! ! ! !

SKycity_BMW

Hey 007 . . . .

I had the same thing happen to me. I got a new ECU and my started.
When I posted my thread . . . people told me to check my "Crank Trigger Sensor"

I hope that helps you and kinda points you in the right direction.

GOOD LUCK ! ! ! !

SKycity_BMW

Thanx for the info

could you also tell me where can I find that part ON THE CAR?

Thank you

Help!!! :(

Hey 007,

From what I could find. The senor is located on the timing cover.

Check out the pic in my gallery "Trigger Contact"

If this wrong . . . somebody please correct me.

Thanks and GOOD LUCK ! !

Skycity_BMW

Hey Skycity_BMW


I took the car to a mechanic this weekend, and he check the car, and his answer was, that the car needs a engine, because the one that I have in the car, has a problem with the pistones. He said that the engine was not geting a gas compresion.
and that is why the car did not start.

What do you think, is he trying to rip me off?

That's wierd. I've never heard of an engine going bad after a car wash with no advance warning, but I don't have enough knowledge to say the mechanic is wrong. Ouch. The only thing I can think of is- I think it's called vapor lock- where water enters the cylinders and stops the engine from rotating. This happens if you drive through a very, very deep puddle, but I have no idea how it could happen in a car wash unless you had the hood up and the car running as it was being washed. Anyways, this is all conjecture- all I can say is I hope the mechanic is wrong! :dunno:

Is the ECU a new one?

Yes the ECU is a new one!!

Ok 007bimmer,

I checked around and asked the question about your car. The responce I got was "Check for water in the spark plug cylinders by removing each of the ignition coils. As well, it's possible one of the coils shorted out to the point of failure and might need replacing.
I have not only water in the spark plug cylinders, but in the engine oil, and one burnt out ignition coil.

I hope this helps.

Skycity_BMW

Stay away from all car washes with e36 cars. The cowl area gets flooded and the water ends up inside the engine computer. There is a bulletin to add another drain to the cowl area to alleviate the problem, if you are lucky you can remove the computer dry it out and get the car running again, otherwise goodbye 1200 dollars.

Hey on your engine with no warning issue. I did have that happen with my 1993 325. I tore the engine down only to find that the freaking rings on the #3 and 4 cylinder were colapsed onto the piston. I thought it was a bent valve or busted piston. If I had known I might would have tried spraying some carb cleaner down the plug hole. Have a second look with a leak down test.