Dead Amp?

[Unit107]

A failure in the left rear sunroof drain tube, coupled with the vehicle being parked on an incline during a rain storm, created a nice pool of water in the well behind the rear tire where the Amp is located. The Amp was in about 3 inches of water when discovered.

Needless to say, the radio is dead. The head unit seems to be fine, but no sound, leading me to believe the Amp is dead. Is there a good way to verify this? a way to test, and if so, how? I took it abart and cleaned it very carefully, but I'm sure the damage is not visible.

Also, It just happens to be the DSP Amp, so it ain't the cheap one. It is also the oldest model of this Amp, as listed on RealOem.com. I am looking to the salvage and auction sites to find a like replacement. I understand that there is a good possibility that this will need to be coded to my vehicle also. Is this something an indy shop can do, or only the stealer?

I am not interested in dropping $1500 on a new replacement, and want to make sure something I buy online for a couple hundred $$s will be able to work.

Any suggestions?

[frankroti]

Did you try pulling the radio/amp fuses in the cargo area? I believe it's # 72 or 73?

[ECS Tuning]

Any of the super sessions of the DSP amp will work with your system. Typically BMW amps are plug and play, I'm not seeing anything in my notes about the E53s being any different. HERE is a link to a new DSP amp for your X. You can also keep your eyes out for 65126930514, 65124127873, or 65126940977 as they all will work in your X.

[Unit107]

Thanks for the replies. I have checked the fuses, but will do a change on all of the ones involved with the audio system to make sure one last time that is not the issue.

Thanks also for the ECS link. As I have gone to you guys for parts in the past, it is still a hard nut to swallow to pay a $grand$ for an item ruined by the failure of a $15 part.

After replacing the Suspension module (around $300 parts and labor) with the failure of the right rear drain tube, and now facing $1000 replacment of the Amp with the failure of the left side, I would suggest to anyone with an older X5 with sunroof to be aware of this potentail FAIL, and even get your hose out and give the seal around your sunroof a test so you won't be surprised later.

[xcorpionsting]

Originally Posted by Unit107

Thanks for the replies. I have checked the fuses, but will do a change on all of the ones involved with the audio system to make sure one last time that is not the issue.

Thanks also for the ECS link. As I have gone to you guys for parts in the past, it is still a hard nut to swallow to pay a $grand$ for an item ruined by the failure of a $15 part.

After replacing the Suspension module (around $300 parts and labor) with the failure of the right rear drain tube, and now facing $1000 replacment of the Amp with the failure of the left side, I would suggest to anyone with an older X5 with sunroof to be aware of this potentail FAIL, and even get your hose out and give the seal around your sunroof a test so you won't be surprised later.

I lost 2 amps already the original and the replacement. I'm just going to replace the head unit and go with a Pioneer Av unit. It doesn't make sense to replace the Amp since any rain will kill the amp.
One of the reason is that the water get to the amp thru the wires. Check your passenger area carpet to see if its wet.