Intermittent Stereo Amp Operation

thrifty2003

New member
We have a 2003 Z4 with the stereo systems amp installed in the trunk (or boot) near the battery. Several months ago, we accidentally drove through some high water and got water in the area around the battery and the amp. The amp was not exposed to standing water but everything was wet in the battery compartment. We dried everything out and actually removed the amp and put it in a "warming drawer" in our oven at its lowest setting (around 120-140 F) to dry out any moisture.

We now have an intermittent power problem with the stereo system. When you start the car cold, the system comes on normally and you can drive around for as long as you like with no issues. If you stop and shut the car off (for say a gas stop) and then come back and start it again, there is no power from the amp (i.e. the head unit powers up but there is no sound from the speakers). We will only get normal operation again if the car is shut down and allowed to sit idle for hours.

We don't believe this is a fuse issue. We are speculating if there is some type of relay internal or external to the amp that is malfunctioning. Has anyone had a similar experience with a resolution?

Thanks.
 
I had what sounds like exactly the same issue with mine recently. Mine would also occasionally cut when driving etc

Had it diagnosed and repaired for £195 by Colin of http://www.bmwgm5.info/ and now all is golden!

BMW in the UK want around £350 for the amp, and then the new units need to be coded to the vehicle, so I would recommend looking for BMW audio specialist to repair.
 
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