Car won't start - BMW Forum

sy5alive · 08-21-2004, 02:04 PM

I have a '94 318is and went to get
my car washed. On its exit, the people there couldn't start my car.
I initially thought it was the battery but a jump didn't work.
Went to a mechanic who I believe is questionable but
insisted upon by my uncle. He said the relay burned out
or died or some sh*t. My question is, how could this have
happened? Could water have done the damage?
How much do you think I'll be spending on the repair?
The car is still in the shop right now. They don't work
on weekends.

Kevin325i · 08-21-2004, 02:12 PM

It's a common problem for the DME to get wet and short out because the seals get old and the drains aren't effective.

sy5alive · 08-21-2004, 02:35 PM

Thanks for the reply. You have any idea how much it's gonna set me back?

Eggrolled211 · 08-21-2004, 04:45 PM

Unless you find a used one at junkyard or ebay...your lookin in the ballpark of atleast hmmmm 1K. (from exp.)

sy5alive · 08-21-2004, 05:52 PM

what the hell's a DME?? 1,000??

Eggrolled211 · 08-21-2004, 07:43 PM

DME= ECU , the cpu the brain.........gotcha? it located under the hood on passenger side?

komodo · 08-21-2004, 09:13 PM

What does DME stand for? Just curious.

jrhaile · 08-21-2004, 09:19 PM

Don't Mess w/Me

:P

Cruzin 323is · 08-22-2004, 12:08 AM

yo.. don't pay that money, go talk to the owner of the car wash, have them pay for it.. last time u started it, it worked.. after they were done, it don't start... if they don't pay, get a lawyer and suit

sy5alive · 08-22-2004, 12:25 PM

You really think that would work? I had to give them the receipt for the wash as proof (to get my keys) but I have several witnesses including the tow truck driver and some of the workers there.

komodo · 08-22-2004, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sy5alive@Aug 22 2004, 01:05 PM
You really think that would work? I had to give them the receipt for the wash as proof (to get my keys) but I have several witnesses including the tow truck driver and some of the workers there.

I've never heard of them making you give them your receipt... aren't you entitiled to one if you ask for it?

sy5alive · 08-22-2004, 05:59 PM

yea but i gave them the whole receipt on accident. i wasn't thinking. but the good news is i think i can find the right parts at a junkyard for pretty cheap. i'd rather not go through a whole court proceeding if it's not too expensive. after all, it wasn't the car wash's intent to f* my car up.

sy5alive · 08-24-2004, 07:59 PM

I just got a call from the mechanic saying it's the coil module and the air flow meter and that they're approx. 250$ each. does this sound right to you guys??

sy5alive · 08-24-2004, 08:05 PM

i'm sorry, i meant 250 total. which doesn't sound bad at all now.

Delmarco · 08-24-2004, 11:27 PM

Yes $250 is about right. I had the same problem as you last 4th of July weekend after washing my car in my driveway the morning of a roadtrip I planned. The tripped never happened but I took my 1995 318i right to the BMW dealership the next day and my mechanic there told me that it was the Air Mass Meter/Sensor and it was exactly $250 to replace and about that much to install. I also got my COWL TRIM replaced as well. This is the rubber seal under your front windshield around your wipers

. What happens is the rubber ages and cracks and water gets in where it shouldn't when you hose your car down or water is sprayed at it from certain angles. BMW recommended I replace this for about $100 to prevent further damage and costs.