Question on BMW 3-Series E36 DME Repair

[chuney]

Hello Pelican!

I have a 1995 E36 M3 with a CEL problem. I used the gas pedal method and it gave me 1231. A quick search points out that 1231 means: "Battery voltage/DME relay monitor."

I replaced my battery with no results.

I took out the DME and noticed a white powdery substance on the circuit board (pic 1), and cleaned all of it with electrical contact cleaner. I checked the chip (Dinan D900-2941) and everything seemed fine. Started the car, and CEL was still on.

I checked the DME relay and the prongs seemed corroded (brownish tinge), so I swapped it with the fog lights relay (which seemed fine and clean) and didn't change anything.

I'm all out of ideas, and I'm hoping you could enlighten me! The car starts and runs fine. The previous owner mentioned that the engine would stutter at higher RPMs, but I haven't noticed anything like that. Thanks Pelican!