DME water damage

burnettm · 08-19-2003, 03:57 PM

Hello all, I am finding out a lot today!

In this thread:

No Idle. Please Help...

The authors are referring to the DME. In Bently, under DME 3.3.1 VANOS, the componet (I think) they are specifically refering to is the engine control module (ECM) for water damage?. Is this correct?

Also, is this the same component listed here:
C6040-84585 Electronic Control Unit Year: 1993-

or is it the part:
Ignition Control Unit, DME M3.3.1, (Rebuilt Uncoded Unit), 325i/is/iC (09/92-95), M3 (1995-99)

Anyway, IT is located passenger side, engine compartment, into the firewall. I removed the panel and there are leaves and stuff in there!

thanks again,
Matt

LeRoux Strydom · 08-20-2003, 05:33 AM

Yes, DME refers to the engine management system, made by either Bosch or Siemens depending on model and year.

If you found signs of water entry into the DME compartment, you need to open up the DME box itself to look for water damage on the circuit boards. If you are lucky, you may be able to clean this up, re-solder a few joints, re-seal the DME box and be on your way. If you are not so lucky, you may have to replace the DME or get it re-built by someone.

Just be very careful about disconnecting the car's battery before removing or disconnecting the DME, as you may fry the electronics. Your manual should be very clear abou the procedure for disconnecting and removal of the DME.

Good luck, I hope you get it fixed.

LeRoux

burnettm · 08-20-2003, 08:08 PM

Got it, thanks.

Matt

94325is · 09-01-2003, 08:04 PM

soooo DME = ECM just to make sure and this is the box under the hood with the fuse and relay board in it??

burnettm · 09-02-2003, 05:06 PM

Yes, that is what I got. I pulled it out and seems ok. I think I might have an additional issue with an air intake value. I will post when I find out.
matt

94325is · 09-12-2003, 09:53 AM

what are symptoms too look for when this is about to go.. ie like leaking hood seal water in or on the fuse box and is it a good idea to remove it and seal it befor water gets in and puts a hole in my bank account or is it best to leave it alone if you suspect no damage ??

LeRoux Strydom · 09-14-2003, 10:09 AM

The DME is not the fuse box. It is the engine management computer that sits in a compartment behind the glovebox, but accessible from the engine compartment. If you have a manual like the Bentley or Haynes, it may have a picture of its location.

Symptoms of a bad DME are usually either a dead engine, a bad idle or problems with smooth running. It is a common problem with these cars for water to leak into the DME compartment and sometimes into the DME box itself, causing damage to connections or outright failure. The drainage pipes from the compartment can get blocked with leaves or other stuff.

If you have time on your hands, disconnect the battery (IMPORTANT!!), open the DME compartment, unplug and remove the DME box and look for signs of water entry. If you find evidence, try to seal up the joints with silicone rubber and clean up the drain pipes. If you car is running OK, do not mess with the DME box itself.

LeRoux

burnettm · 09-18-2003, 05:27 PM

Thank you all for responses. The DME was wet, and that was causing the problem.
matt

Jared at Pelican Parts · 09-19-2003, 03:43 PM

How did you repair this, replace the DME?

burnettm · 09-19-2003, 10:00 PM

HI,
The car stalled about 5 minutes after leaving the car wash (I had kept the car running in the car wash). The car stalled on acceleration. Then, of course, I was on the side of the road, and after read various posts here, I opened DME compartment and it was wet inside. I removed the DME without removing the cable attachment, dryed the compartment and bottom of DME. Then I re-inserted it and the car started.

The car is idling high and hesitates at higher RPMS during hard accelerating. I have not replaced the DME yet, as I need to fix the water problem first, as posted in above thread. I do not know if the currect issues are related to faulty DME. Also, this is the 6th occurence of this problem.

Thanks Jared I will call.
Matt

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