4.8iS Doesn't See a DME!

[MBellRacing]

Okay, some of the original issues are chronicled in another post, but long story short, I was having intermittent P1515 codes (some CAN error) and P2272/P0159 (O2 sensor issues). I then started getting a ton of misfires on the opposite bank and while the car should be open loop. I decided to send out my DME to ECU Pro. They said they didn't see the CAN error or the O2 sensor issues, but did get the misfires when plugged into their test X5. They also said the board, itself, looks fine but some of the pins were corroded. They asked if I wanted to clone to a new DME and I said yes.



A couple weeks go by (I'm a busy dude this time of year), I install the new DME and the original immobilizer that was shipped out with it. I turn the key... and the 2 month old battery is dead. Cool. Charge it up overnight, get it to 14V, try to start it... and nothing. I plug in my Foxwell scanner and do a quick scan of the modules. The DME pops up for about 1 second then literally disappears from the list. There is NO DME module being seen.



I unplugged the new DME and reinstalled the old one (that should be a clone) and the SAME issue is present. Upon swapping DMEs, I noticed there was some green corrosion on only one of the connectors. I sprayed some plastic-safe contact cleaner into all the connectors (not the DME) and let them sit overnight. Once again, nothing once plugged in. Today, I finally took my battery back to the [the absolute nightmare of a company known as NTB] where I purchased it, just to make sure my issues don't start there. They said the 850 cranking amp battery shows 800 which is within their spec of a "good battery". So more juice isn't the answer! I checked all the fuses in the glove box area and they are all good. This car does not seem to have the fuses and relays by the DME/VVT box, under the hood. Everything else in the car functions, it seems, EXCEPT the DME.


Any ideas? Why would the car run-- if poorly-- but when the DMEs are reinstalled, they don't work? I can always send back my DME to ECU Pro, but that's annoying, and they said my modules worked on their test car. Could it be a wiring thing? Please help!





P.S.
Anybody want a VERY well sorted (except for one VERY minor issue) E53 X5 4.8iS??? It's great when it runs! But seriously, just my stupid luck. This was the best car ever in the big snow storm we had in the south, and now it won't start. It did better than my dad's big GMC Denali 2500HD. You know what the Denali does better? Runs. All the time. Starting to regret ever buying another BMW. At least my Audi never left me stranded...