Revised: x5 back 7 wks @ the dealer list repairs 2002 x5 trunk flooded with water...

[Ghost-Flame]

See post dated 10-21-11 for revised post and list of repairs... I am so happy with the car. The bill was another question

... Hurricane Irene.

Did not realize weather stripping around rear gate was bad. about 6 to 8 inches of water in the battery box. Some sort of alarm is steadily screaming inside the cabin up near the dash. I vacuumed out every bit of visible water from around the battery box and computer box. I disconnected the ground and the alarm still sounded. When I disconnected the positive from the battery the alarm stopped but started sounding again when I reconnected.

The radio speakers were crackling with the car off.

I assume the alarm I hear is some sort of ground fault. the car starts and everything seems to run okay... (I heaven't driven it yet). does anyone know how to reset or shut off that alarm?

Right now the car is sitting in the sun hopefully drying out.

[PersonaNonGrata]

Do you have PDC? The speaker for the front sensor is up under the driver's side footwell. Perhaps the water also fried your PDC control box which is mounted under sparetire.

See the homepage and my PDC installation instructions for photos of specific locations.

[Ghost-Flame]

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

Do you have PDC? The speaker for the front sensor is up under the driver's side footwell. Perhaps the water also fried your PDC control box which is mounted under sparetire.

See the homepage and my PDC installation instructions for photos of specific locations.

Thanks PNG,
I do have PDC. or I used to looks like all the electronics are bad nothing works truck wont start.
Getting towed to Zygmont Motors my indie on tuesday morning.

I love this car. So, I will fix it. The electronics were all screwey before this happened so, maybe we'll get a new lease on life. Car only has 140,000 miles only half way there and paid for

Engine's good. tranny's good, everything else is in great shape. looks new.

[rastaFarai]

Alarm could be a warning of battery drain, especially since you said it won't start now.

[Weasel]

Did the X only sit still during the heavy rain of Irene or did you drive at some point? (yes, I'm going somewhere with this, diagnosis wise )

[rastaFarai]

Originally Posted by Weasel

Did the X only sit still during the heavy rain of Irene or did you drive at some point? (yes, I'm going somewhere with this, diagnosis wise )

Lets get answer for both lol mine went during last heavy rainfall now my battery is draining when off. Mechanic couldn't find issue so going to BMW next maybe. My radio also stops working, radio meaning sound, any setting like iPod or sirius etc even controls don't work when it stops responding. I think it is bm53 radio module issue.

Sorry for thread hijack but maybe we have same issue or similar

[Ghost-Flame]

Yes the x just sat, it sat all week since last week. and yesterday I went out. it started then the alarm sounded.

trunk floor was wet I started to look around the electronics and wound up looking in the battery/computer box. There is where I found 6 - 8 inches of water, 3/4 the way up the battery. I got out my wet dry vac and pulled out every drop of visible water about 4 to 6 gallons, This took almost 1/2hour, the water just kept coming in from the computer area.

I got every drop out and let it sit in the sun for about 4 hours. the car started, the radio was dead, the radio speakers were crackling and the alarm was sounding. I then shut it off and tried to restart it and now it won't start. alarm still sounding and radio speakers still crackling even when off. I can hear the starter making a soft click when I try to start.

[Ghost-Flame]

Had my X flat-bedded to my independent mechanic on Tuesday. So far he has not gotten into it.

I asked him what could be the worst, worst, worst case scenario? with no hesitation he said 4 to 5 thousand.

Dollars?????

OOKKKKAAAYYYY, It will be fixed. can I make a claim with my homeowner's insurance? What do you think?

[ArmyX5]

Ghost-Flame,

Did you find out if replacing the weather stripping fixed the problem or could it be something else. I just check my battery compartment and it had some water in it. Thanks god I found this problem on time. No damage so far, but I will need to keep it indoor for now on until I can figure out the problem. My weather stripping doesn't look to bad. Does anybody know what exactly is causing this?

[Ghost-Flame]

Originally Posted by ArmyX5

Ghost-Flame,

Did you find out if replacing the weather stripping fixed the problem or could it be something else. I just check my battery compartment and it had some water in it. Thanks god I found this problem on time. No damage so far, but I will need to keep it indoor for now on until I can figure out the problem. My weather stripping doesn't look to bad. Does anybody know what exactly is causing this?

I knew I should have posted an update but, I didn't have any real info until least night.

My car has been down since 9-4. recap: first, I took to indy mechanic, he said, there was so much damaged that he didn't know where to start without costing me a fortune. he suggested I take it to BMW dealer.

Second, I towed it to dealer, battery was dead, could not take a charge something shorted. installed new battery.

Third, mechanic began doing diagnostics... discovered each piece that he checked was failed.

Fourth, The tech then looked at all the connection points and discovered that they were corrosive and appeared to be that way for a long time.

Fifth, the tech traced a water stain back to my left rear (driver side) post. He said that the drain hole was clogged and was allowing water back into electrical compartment... he documented with pictures of water stain and failed/coroded connectors. I still don't know if the weather stripping is bad... thanks for reminding me to ask.

Sixth, He told me that this should be covered under my insurance policy... NOT the clogged hole but the damage the clogged hole made.We contacted the insurance company, they gave me a hard time at first then they agreed to send an adjuster over to assess the damage... that was 10 days ago, I am still waiting, the adjuster is supposed to go over on Monday 10-04-11.

What I know is that I am up to about 3,000$ plus or minus and any help will be appreciated from the insurance co.

BTW, when the tech brought it in they give the car a full inspection and shake down. My suspension had broken and warn parts, my belts are worn and my water pump is leaking. that's another 2 grand or so... Ha Ha Ha Cry Cry Cry... it's only money, he said, as the sheriff posted the house for sale... just kidding.