AAARRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!

[Pre-H20]

So I have a family with little ones, all under 4 years old.

Somehow...... the moon roof was left open last night.

IT RAINED ALOT LAST NIGHT.

Today..... I go outside and see the moon roof open to the X5,..... and my heart sinks..............

I try and start the X5..... absolutely NOTHING happens (Think of trying to start a car that does NOT have a battery)

I tried to jump start the X5,.... nothing happens.

I'm pretty sure I'm Fuched........ anyone have any words of encouragement or possible simple remedies?

Moonroof is still open since I cant close it. (yes, I know I can cover it up)

Any suggestions would help as I'm in the gutter right now.....

Pre-H20

[bmw540san]

That really sucks.
I wonder if insurance would cover it under comprehensive.
Otherwise, you better go ahead and remove all the seats and complete carpet and dry everything out for days.
You have a lot electrical connections under the carpet.
I hate to say it, but that car might not be worth or possible to save, depending on degree of water damage.

[williamx5]

Good day!

First, everything will work out in short order... there is a handle in the tool bag... find the access for to the sunroof motor and hand crank it closed... We'll figure out the battery thing in a second!

Cheers!

[williamx5]

Okay.... In my experience, clean rain water will not total your vehicle... It just gives you a reason to purchase that seriously amazing shop vac you've always wanted! If you don't let the rain sit in the vehicle until mildew sets in, you're fine! Yes, pull the seats and carpet AFTER pulling out as much water as possible with the shop vac! Let everything dry completely before reinstall... rent a vehicle if need be!

Pull everything needed to access the battery... there might be water in there... dry that out! Check any modules that may have been submerged... replace as needed! Check the voltage on the battery... test and charge or replace if needed... we'll figure the rest after we have a good power source...

[OrangeFurious]

That is a completely miserable situation and I'm deeply sympathetic. Also very impressed by williamx5 - every post is such a can-do, no-problem, I-got-yer-back approach. This is why I enjoy the enthusiast community.

[Pre-H20]

Update: 3 hours later.........................

Sooooo I was able to take the map light assembly apart to access the moon roof manual close nut, that is done. a few scraped knuckles was worth it. i was worried about possible rain again tonight. wasnt to fun to do in the dark, holding a torch in between my teeth. sucked actually. there are very small allen bolts there.

Then I learned how to access and open the rear deckid and lower gate, in the dark with my torch in my teeth...... you get the picture. that sucked too. a few more scraped knuckles and a shin bruise to boot.

I got to the battery after removing a crap of stuff and took the battery to get tested. COMPLETELY dead...... I am waiting the parts shop to re-charge the battery and see if it will hold a charge. if it will..... then we'll see if that was the issue. If the battery wont hold a charge then I am buying a new battery tonight, THEN I'll see if it was the culprit. Fingers crossed this is a simple battery issue.

Then got the vac and pull up some water..... then the towels.......

Wasn't as bad as i thought as there were a lot of areas that weren't wet or even moist. I tried to get as much water out as I could.

If this is just a battery issue then tomorrow I am taking it to a detail shop and have them do the best they can to get this dried out. Maybe even call in a mobile detail outfit.........

STRESSED in Socal.

[williamx5]

That is excellent news, except for the PITA of doing all this in the dark! Honestly, if the carpet isn't all that wet, you could just run the floor heat for a good bit after you get it started up! I have my fingers and toes crossed this is just a battery issue!!!

Great job getting it sorted so far!

Keep us posted!

Cheers!

[Pre-H20]

Just in case anyone is still up.......

so its almost 11pm.... been at this since 3pm.......

turn out the battery is toast.

bought a new one 162.00.

Put everything back together, went back together alot easier than apart. I labeled everything coming off so it seemed pretty easy to back together.

When I connected the negative terminal, the interior lights and radio came back on.... good news. finished putting everything back together, no extra parts.... whew. feeling ok.

Went to start the X5..... fired right up strong, settled right in.

That's the overall good.

The bad:

Now the moon roof will not open. I have NO idea why.

The radio stays on AFTER I turn the ignition off. ....... let me clarify.... the music does in fact stop playing.... but the red back lighting stays on. Nothing is displayed on the radio screen.... JUST the red back lighting stays on. WTF?

I ended up taking the radio faceplate off to not drain the battery overnight.

2 problems....... Moon Roof and radio face backlight.

Overall seems small as everything else works considering where I was at 4pm.

THOUGHTS ANYONE?

Gonna sleep on this and hit it again tomorrow morning.....

Less Stressed on Socal....

[williamx5]

Great news! So, the water may have gotten into the controller for the sunroof and the radio... you might get lucky and with it drying overnight, the radio will work as it should... I think there might be residual water under the carpet. It might not be a bad idea to pull up a corner where the water would collect (front foot well if it it's in the same position as in your picture)... Is that the charcoal (anthracite) or silver? I'd also run the floor heat tomorrow for a good length of time to really help dry everything!

I'd check the sunroof fuses. I almost wonder if the switch or sunroof motor didn't short and open the roof, then continue to drain the battery... Figure it would pop the fuse if that was the case, but I've seen weirder things happen!

We'll get it sorted out! I've got a switch, and think there is still a motor in the PIY here...

Let us know!

Cheers!

[Pre-H20]

William,

Thanks for the encouragement..... seems like we both are still up.

Soooooo.... the moon roof actually partially works so I dont think it a fuse or switch issue.... the moon roof will tilt up (from the back) it just will not open and slide back into the roof.

I looked the symptoms on youtube and it seems there is a "re-initialization" moon roof function that I am going to try in the morning.

I still need to re-attach the map light assembly in the AM.... I didnt want to take a chance and loose those little screws in the dark and it is a simple enough reassembly I think. Its just hanging right now. 5min job.

I hope the radio dries out and sorts itself out as you have suggested.

I will try the re-initialization process in AM.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkIqKQRtZNg

Also going to look into an Auto detail mobile service to come to my house and try and work on the interior