Car Wash 'check Engine'

[paulmaneesh]

used
Hi I have 318i 4dr sedan. I took it for a car-wash including the 'under' wash which washes the undersurface of the car. After the wash, I took off, but within a couple of yards, there was a sound as if the gas is out. Suddenly , the car stopped. Is this a coommon problem or dies it require expert investigation. Please help me. Thanks

[Casey3561]

I've an E36, but I've had mine run through underbody washes before with no problem. Never heard of such a thing, and I've run lots of cars through lots of carwashes. I don't like to have the BMW washed that way, but when I have to...

Hmm. I'm not sure what that could be.

[rsn48]

I'm willing to bet that some moisture got into one of your sensors. I am also willing to bet that the check engine light has gone off. I live in the Pacific North West (actually I lie - I live on the Canadian South coast) where we gets tons of rain. This past January we went throught the most horrific rain down pours we have ever gone through - and that is saying something, and I started to have something act up - oh yah, my radio. I talked to the service guy and he said to wait till the horrible wet weather passed to determine if the problem persisted, which it hasn't. He says moisture can do all kinds of interesting things to a computered car.

[paulmaneesh]

Yeah thats right! I took off to work as usual and again the car started to choke before I hit the Expressway. I slowly drove to the mechanic who said that it is the carbon that has got collected in the 'Idle valve' which he says has seen to be occurring with 318s. He is charging $350/- (163 part+158 labor) ghead incl taxes to fix this. But finally this problem is fixed and I get going