Waterlogged computer chips?

[fm_illuminatus]

I was talking to a friend of mine at work, and he mentioned that he's seen problems with E36 electronics getting waterlogged when going through car washes (killing the car).

Anyone heard of this? I'm don't know much about E36's and I was curious if this is a known issue... :dunno:

[E36 Phantom]

Search "wet DME" - it's been known since 1993. :AF330i:

[HyphE36]

yee... don't go e36 if you live in a rainforest, or seattle

[MrAbbs325is]

Why dont you tell him to get off his lazy ass and wash his own car.... Its better then some 2500psi power sprayers blasting the sh*t out of it. Plus it will end up cleaner and he will gain pride from the expierance.

[e36mike]

it doesnt kill the car. the computer just gets wet, which wont allow u to start the car. you can dry the computer out and put it back in and it should work. worst case scenario is you need a new DME. happened to me once. hasnt since, i sealed of the place where its at and cleaned out the drains.

[zulio]

Before this thread I woulda said bullsh*t. I've always thought cars were pretty much waterproof unless they were submerged significantly...

Good to know.

[fm_illuminatus]

Yea, I said practically the same thing to my co-worker. But this is good to know.

I'm the marketing coordinator at a car wash, and I'd like us to avoid wiping out someone's DME. Right now, we just charge a extra for E36's and wash them outside the tunnel; but I don't really like the idea because it feels like we're discriminating against E36's. Additionally, it's kind of hard to explain to the owner why they have to pay extra for their car to be washed, especially if they've never heard of this issue.

Besides washing the by hand, is there any other way to avoid this? Also, anyone know if this affects E30's or E46's?