DME Failure - Unplugged manifold w/ battery connected

justahobo · 02-03-2023, 06:36 PM

2011 535i

Essentially title.
While replacing the serp belt, OFHG, & 6 Intake gaskets, I unbolted the manifold, unplugged the plugs underneath, but never disconnected the battery.

Afterward, turned on the car, (Did not start engine, just battery), got errors out the ass, wipers running by themselves, and every control is unresponsive. Had it towed to my mechanic, but we can't even get the parking brake off. Battery died, now that's been replaced.

Mechanics saying they called in someone who's more familiar with BMW coding, but it's likely the DME will have to be replaced.

Anyone know how much this'll cost, or if recoding is still possible?

95blkmax · 02-04-2023, 11:16 AM

check the 2 bin connectors towards the front of the DME. A stupid design by BMW but they can actually be interchanged! It happened to me the first time I put back together the DME connectors but I got lucky and just had a ton of errors. Once I reversed those 2 connectors the car started right up as normal.

Also, replace the battery. Nothing in BMW-world will work as intended if the battery isn't fully charged.

justahobo · 02-05-2023, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95blkmax

check the 2 bin connectors towards the front of the DME. A stupid design by BMW but they can actually be interchanged! It happened to me the first time I put back together the DME connectors but I got lucky and just had a ton of errors. Once I reversed those 2 connectors the car started right up as normal.

You know, I was so focused on getting the back 3 right, I might’ve messed those up. So that’s worth checking out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95blkmax

Also, replace the battery. Nothing in BMW-world will work as intended if the battery isn't fully charged.

I okay’d the replacement but I’m not sure if they’ve installed the new battery it yet. I’ve had the car since 2016 without ever replacing it, it could be as old as the car. I’ll get back to you with updates.

burro_blasta · 02-12-2023, 10:42 PM

Second the suggestion to double check the plugs are in order - and also double check that they're all fully seated, some will click into place but still be far from fully seated...that got me real good one time 🙃

Bullyking425 · 02-13-2023, 02:36 PM

same issue but I didn’t disconnect wiring with battery connected.
No wipers or anything like that
mine starts and drives no errors displayed
I run info memory and error memory in BimmerLink and get these codes.
Also attached dme plug location as well.
New battery and alternator battery didn’t code battery as it was 105ah same as old but did register it.

02-03-2023, 06:36 PM	#1
justahobo New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: Bmw 535i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	DME Failure - Unplugged manifold w/ battery connected - now what? 2011 535i Essentially title. While replacing the serp belt, OFHG, & 6 Intake gaskets, I unbolted the manifold, unplugged the plugs underneath, but never disconnected the battery. Afterward, turned on the car, (Did not start engine, just battery), got errors out the ass, wipers running by themselves, and every control is unresponsive. Had it towed to my mechanic, but we can't even get the parking brake off. Battery died, now that's been replaced. Mechanics saying they called in someone who's more familiar with BMW coding, but it's likely the DME will have to be replaced. Anyone know how much this'll cost, or if recoding is still possible?
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02-04-2023, 11:16 AM	#2
95blkmax Captain 213 Rep 658 Posts Drives: '11 535 M-Sport Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Oklahoma City iTrader: (0)	check the 2 bin connectors towards the front of the DME. A stupid design by BMW but they can actually be interchanged! It happened to me the first time I put back together the DME connectors but I got lucky and just had a ton of errors. Once I reversed those 2 connectors the car started right up as normal. Also, replace the battery. Nothing in BMW-world will work as intended if the battery isn't fully charged. __________________ I'm on the YouTubez now!! Check it out -> https://www.youtube.com/@turbospool 11' M-sport- 371WHP - 478WTQ on stock PWG E50 TunedbyShoup // 386WHP - 429WTQ on Shuenk N55+ with ultra-conservative 91 Octane tune // Starting full-range flexfuel tuning in Spring '24
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02-12-2023, 10:42 PM	#4
burro_blasta Lieutenant 130 Rep 441 Posts Drives: 2013 535 M Sport Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	Second the suggestion to double check the plugs are in order - and also double check that they're all fully seated, some will click into place but still be far from fully seated...that got me real good one time 🙃 __________________ 2013 535xi M Sport (PWG) // PS2 // Spool fx150 // MHD // xHP // FTP Inlet // FBO: AR HF DP, Wagner IC, BMS Intake, VRSF CP
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02-13-2023, 02:36 PM	#5
Bullyking425 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: F10 n55 535i Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Washington iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 [0.00]	same issue but I didn’t disconnect wiring with battery connected. No wipers or anything like that mine starts and drives no errors displayed I run info memory and error memory in BimmerLink and get these codes. Also attached dme plug location as well. New battery and alternator battery didn’t code battery as it was 105ah same as old but did register it. Attached Images
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