Stereo Stopped Working. Help Please

E

E85

Member
 Ontario, Canada
I just got the car out of storage this week and went to the coin wash where you use the tools to wash the car yourself. I used the pressure washer and looks like water got in my trunk. Didn't notice it as it only looks like it got in the battery compartment UNDER the trunk. So no water in the useable part of the trunk. Perhaps water got in because i pressure washed the wheel wells?

I didn't notice the water getting in there orginally, but the stereo in the car just stopped working today, washed the car about 5 days ago. I assume it stopped working because the amp got wet and shorted. (that black box beside the battery is the amp right?). Can anyone give me anything else to look for other than a blown fuse?
 
It may not be the water.

My stereo stopped working a few months ago (2007 Z4 Coupe from new). Completely dead, even though everything else was working. I turned the engine off then on again. No luck. Tried again the next day and it worked. There was no water, temperature, weather or other physical factors involved. It just happened and then fixed itself. Almost like rebooting a PC. I've had no problems with it since.

Water may be the cause. But it may also be a stereo or software issue.
 
I just had something similar happen. I went to start my car but realized it was completely dead. After opening my trunk I noticed water in there. I had no other option but to buy a new amp. The stealer wanted $1500 but I managed to find one from a Bone yard for less that works perfectly. I am still paranoid that it will get water so I am drilling a small drain hole. I think that putting such an expensive device in the trunk is stupid. Someone is selling one on Ebay for $300 but it is for a 06 or newer so I am not sure if it will work in older models. I have the top hifi system.
Check the 30amp fuse located on the amps side. Hopefully it is just that and not needing a complete replacement.

Auction http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-oem-E83-E85-E86-Z4-DSP-LEAR-premium-AMPLIFIER-AMP_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1494Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem280329170396QQitemZ280329170396QQptZCarQ5fAudioQ5fVideo
 
thx for the advice ... i will take a look at it this weekend and report back ... hope it's not the $1500 fix JetBlack is talking about ... :(

and yah, stupid design ... totall agree ... that along with the cup holders being right over the window controls, so when the drinks have condensation or spills even a little, it drips right onto where?
 
Self -draining river rafts have holes and slots that let the water out to prevent swamping. But guess what? They also let the water in. I'm not real sure that drilling a hole in the bottom of the trunk compartment is such a good idea. The only time I've has an issue with water leakage was when I failed to fully close the trunk before embarking into a monsoon. I just wouldn't give moisture another way to enter the car.
 
Thanks again for all the help. In the end it seems that the stereo not working right after a car wash seems to be a coincidence. The battery actually CRACKED open and the battery fluids came out soaking the 1st inch of the amp. The fuse panel shows that the radio is fuse 47 and 50 (i think it's those 2). After checking those 2, neither fuse was blown, so i was like OH CRAP, big bill coming to replace the amp ...

GOOD NEWS ... there is another fuse on the amp. It's a "30" fuse. that one was blown!!! $0.75 for a fuse later, it's working again ... :thumbsup:

took it back apart to look inside the amp ... IT'S CHARCOAL!!!!!!!!!!! :cry: ... btw, the amp case it supposed to be black, it's now a clean metal look (battery acid completely chewed thru that paint!!) ... so even though about 10% of the inside of the amp is absolutely destroyed, THE AMP STILL WORKS!!! AMAZING!!!!

Weird thing is that the battery is leaking, yet the batter light is still green and all elements of the car that need a battery are working fine, so never though to check the side of the battery. Also there is a black panel that sits between the battery and the amp, making it impossible to see the side of the battery as well.
 
So anyhow, just to conclude, the problem wasn't water getting in the trunk, it was battery fluid coming out of the cracked battery that soaked into the amp, therefore blowing the fuse. New battery needed and everything should be fine. :thumbsup:
 
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