[bmac27]

Hello all, stoked to be part of the family - picked up my '08 e92 335xi about a month ago and I couldn't be happier. Car has been wonderful so far, but I was hoping someone could fill me in on what happened tonight . I went to one of the local self spray washes to get the salt and sand off the car after our recent storm. Pulled into the bay, shut the car off, got out and locked it (my fiance was still sitting in the car, but I have CA so just touched the door handle and threw the key in my back pocket). I began a 4 minute wash and within a minute, minute and a half the turn signals started flashing and my headlights went on. This only happened for 10-15 seconds while I was spraying near the front of the car and each time I moved towards the rear it would stop. After the wash I went back to get in the car and it was unlocked (never got near the door handle), and turned on the car. Started up perfectly fine but the seatbelt caddy didn't do his normal hand-over (first time that's has never occurred). I took a look around inside thinking one of the windows may have been down the slightest bit and that water somehow hit an electrical component, but nothing. Only other weird thing I noticed leaving the bay was that the brakes felt very squishy the first two times I pressed them - almost to the point where I felt I had to hit the floor to get the car to stop. I drove around for 10-15 minutes afterwards, and no issues - lighting or brakes or otherwise. Has this ever happened to anyone before? Did I learn through experience that self-spray car washes are no-no's for these cars? I don't have rain sensing wipers so I didn't think I had to do anything prior to entering the wash, is this incorrect?

Appreciate any thoughts

[Dark_Knight_335]

Did it have pressure washers? Pressure washers are infernal things and not meant for BMWs, or any vehicle for that matter.

[bmac27]

I guess technically yes, the wand I was using to spray down the car was pressurized, couldn't even venture a guess as to how pressurized. Probably no more than what the touchless washes do. Unfortunately I don't have the liberty of hand washing in my garage or outside in the 30 degree weather this time of year, but come springtime that's all I'm doing. What's the lesser of two evils in this instance, a pressurized wash or letting the salt and grime sit?

[psmitty95]

This might help:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=580036

It doesn't sound like it but was the car wash one of the ones where the cars on rollers and moves? If so i've heard of instances where the BMW's alarm motion sensors will think it's being jacked up and the wheels being stolen or something along those lines so the lights will flash. I've also seen a ton of BMW's go through the local wash near me with their lights flashing

[JBE90335]

with comfort access when the water hits the sensors on the door handle the car locks and unlocks causing the lights to flash. Which is why your car was unlocked when you got back in. The brakes were probably just wet

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by GMAC63

with comfort access when the water hits the sensors on the door handle the car locks and unlocks causing the lights to flash. Which is why your car was unlocked when you got back in. The brakes were probably just wet

Exactly, as long as the fob is within about 8 feet of the car.

Tom

[bmac27]

Thanks for that thread, I found that last post about the water/keyless entry particularly helpful. My car was stationary on the ground the whole time tonight but im guessing you're right about the motion sensors

[bmac27]

Thanks all appreciate the help

[E91 Hoarder]

Originally Posted by GMAC63

with comfort access when the water hits the sensors on the door handle the car locks and unlocks causing the lights to flash. Which is why your car was unlocked when you got back in. The brakes were probably just wet

This. I get the same thing while washing the car. Try to put the fob at least 20 feet away from the car.

[ziominix]

Wow I just had this happen last week and was wondering the same thing. Thanks