[MrBlenderson]

Hello everyone, long-time lurker, first-time poster.

We have a 2014 ActiveHybrid3 - a few weeks ago the speakers started cutting in and out and then went completely dead. Not even the seatbelt chime, etc but the display looks like it's playing.

When I went to check the battery I noticed a large amount of fluid that the lower battery was sitting in. Not knowing what it was, I took it to the Stealership who said that it was just water and they wanted $2500 to get the water out and take apart the entire trunk and test every component.

I took it home and shop-vacced out most of the water, rigged up my wife's old breast pump to get the rest out of nooks and crannies and loaded the trunk up with dessicants.

All the water and moisture is now gone, and I have checked every fuse listed that's related to speakers or stereo system and they're all good.

What should I check next? I have a multimeter and am fairly competent with this sort of stuff but I'm not that advanced.

[MrBlenderson]

Any ideas anyone?

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by MrBlenderson

Any ideas anyone?

The amplifier is on the opposite side of the trunk. You checked that?

Furthermore, you need to determine how water is getting into trunk. Regardless.

[MrBlenderson]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

The amplifier is on the opposite side of the trunk. You checked that?

Furthermore, you need to determine how water is getting into trunk. Regardless.

There was water underneath the amplifier as well, how would I check it?

I haven't been able to replicate water getting in the trunk, only thing I can think of is that it got accidentally popped while outside. No idea how it would have happened otherwise.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by MrBlenderson

There was water underneath the amplifier as well, how would I check it?

LOL. No idea. You stated you were fairly competent in that area if you knew where to look.

Originally Posted by MrBlenderson

What should I check next? I have a multimeter and am fairly competent with this sort of stuff but I'm not that advanced.

[MrBlenderson]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

LOL. No idea. You stated you were competent in that area if you knew where to look.

I can only tell you where to look.

I suspect ISTA would be needed to test.

Ha I guess by "fairly competent" I meant that I can follow directions and use a wrench or multimeter.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by MrBlenderson

Ha I guess by "fairly competent" I meant that I can follow directions and use a wrench or multimeter.

I can only tell you where to look.

I suspect ISTA would be needed to test.

As water and electronics do not mix, I’d guess that the amp is dead.

I’d buy a used amp off eBay with 30 day return and try that. Return it if not the answer.

Considering what Dealer will charge you for new amp.....

[MrBlenderson]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

I can only tell you where to look.

I suspect ISTA would be needed to test.

As water and electronics do not mix, I’d guess that the amp is dead.

I’d buy a used amp off eBay with 30 day return and try that. Return it if not the answer.

Considering what Dealer will charge you for new amp.....

Thanks, that's a good idea, hadn't thought of it! I've been trying to find something very specific like "if the amp is good you should read 9-10V across the terminals" or something like that.

Might just try the new amp and see what happens.

[MrBlenderson]

Update - I found a used OEM amp on eBay for $80.

Installed it last night, and I'm back in action! Speakers working perfectly again.

[IAmATeaf]

What about the water getting in, have you sorted that?

[MrBlenderson]

I can't find anything wrong, and it hasn't happened again. Only thing I can think of that the trunk wasn't fully closed when it rained one day.

[Big boi m5]

1 séries had a big water leak problem in trunks, you should inquire on the 1 forums and see what the problem was

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by SleepingBMW

1 séries had a big water leak problem in trunks, you should inquire on the 1 forums and see what the problem was

Most likely OP did not close trunk.

Instances of 3 series (and AH3) of water in trunk are virtually non-existent.