E36 1998 323I Convertible - No Crank - Keyless-Entry Box Replaced could be problem?

I received a HALF flooded 1998 323IC, it flooded immediately below the info screen in the dash. Thus I had to replace a few computers....No problem... but one computer I had to replace was the BMW Remote Keyless-Entry Security System computer, the black box with a green plug and a radio signal wire emerging from the rear. My question, do I need to have the security system reprogrammed because of this replaced box? What exactly does this box affect? I attached photos of the referenced box and of the gutted car for your enjoyment...

Awesome color. The module is just for the keyfob remote. Remove it and the car should behave normally, just won't react to the remote. Using just the physical key should be fine until you can get a new module (if you want). At that point you would have to re-sync the remote to the car.


-SWAG: Scientific Wild Ass Guess.

mmmmmm....flood car.....

does it crank?? start??




df

Thanks! The car does not crank or start unfortunately for me. All fuse look ok, if anyone has any input I am all ears. The car flooded immediately below the info screen in the dash. I attached a photo of the car before gutting for your enjoyment...

how much experience do you have with flood car recovery?? cause it ain't easy...




df

df, since we do not repair BMW's very often I figure I'd reach out at some of the most experienced in the field on this forum. If you personally have any questions in regards to what we've done in terms of repair so far I am more than happy to bring you up to speed.

We just got the car running today! It was the security system that was the trouble. Ended up changing the engine computer, security computer and using the old key from the other vehicle and BAM it runs! Thanks for the info and the responses! I will be needing more help soon as time goes on, time to put everything back together!

Make a new thread for the rebuild!

Something like: Flooded 323iC rebuild thread

well glad that you have it started.

it has been my (limited) experience with flood damaged cars to essentially gut the interior, clean the rugs, replace the sound padding and pretty much any computer that got wet.

then clean *each* and every connector with electricall contact cleaner, then use a suitable amount of dilectric grease to reduce the possible corrosion from creating electrical gremlins.

in no way do i consider this to be any sort of 'fun' process, and it's unfortunate but there are an awful lot of guys that will buy these and get them started and runnning to fllip them on an unsuspecting public. not that they can't be fixed properly, mind you, it's just an awful lot of work to put into a devalued vehicle.




df

petriej, will do!

df, thanks for sharing your experience! Hurricane Sandy has produced over 100,000 salt water flooded vehicles in our area, this car being one of them. This 323ic obviously was garage kept when it had flooded, the battery was fully charged and it had a full tank of gas. This car only has 40k! I'm going to take an educated guess and say that the previous owner probably cried when he saw his half flooded baby getting flood salvaged!

Like many on this forum, I invest our blood, sweat and tears on these cars out of love. The e36 is truly the ultimate driving machine! The work we do here is incredible. For the connections, the salt water rendered them completely useless. All compromised connectors are cut, replaced, lubed and wrapped. All computers are replaced with matching numbers. Carpets and seats are cleaned, dried then cleaned again. Many do the right job the wrong way, but we do the right job the right way PERIOD.