My wife left the sunroof open about an inch on our new to us 2001 E320 and it rained about three inches or something. The transmission console was damp. I dried it. NOW--(i) check engine light illuminates; (ii) the indicator on the dash that shows D, R N etc. simply lights up with no letters, and (iii) the car won't shift above neutral after being placed into drive.

I assume that this is a result of dampness on electronics in the console--anyone have any experience with this, including whether drying it out will fix it? I forsee a denied warranty claim and lots of $$ to repair. Help!

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John C
1987 560SL 109,000 miles
2001 E320 103,000 miles
2007 E350 32,000 miles

That's not good, sorry to hear about that. The Gear shift assembly has many micro-switches buid into it. If you give it a day,it might dry out and you will be able to shift it. But most likely you will need to have the gear shift assembly replaced. Ithink the price for the part is around $400. The labor is about 2-3 hours to change. Good luck

Well, at least the car started this am. Now it will not start at all. I assume that whatever damage is being caused to the switches inside the gear shift assembly is progressing and there is a signal being sent to disable the ignition. Now it is a tow instead of driving to the dealer! What next?!

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John C
1987 560SL 109,000 miles
2001 E320 103,000 miles
2007 E350 32,000 miles

Ouch! Sorry to hear about your misfortune. I would put a fan blowing some air on the gear shift area in hopes it would help dry it out in a few days if you can wait that long. It might help if you could pop some of the plastic off the area to get some air flow in there.

Then give your wife a big hug becauase she's probably feeling pretty rotten about the whole incident.

Good luck.

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99 E300 133K
98 ML320 99K
87 Saab 900 Turbo Conv 123K

I don't know how good you are with taking things apart, But I had my explorer totally submerged... I took it apart and let it completely dry out. Take as much apart as you can. Don't try and turn on anything.. Turning on electrical things when water is present can damage it further.. Disconnect the battery and take it apart and let it dry, maybe with a hair dryer....

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Peter L. House
1998 Sport E430
Azure Blue
110,000k Miles

1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon
V8 Bucket Seats
Factory Moon Roof

phouse is absolutely correct. Ideally you could remove the electrical boards or modules and bake them at a low temp (150 F). This is 65C which is well below the upper temp spec of automotive parts which is at least 85C and often 105C or higher. Set your oven on low, put a thermometer in there to make sure you aren't going too high, cook 15 minutes, remove foil and stir mashed potatoes... Hair dryer is a great idea also but not for potatoes...

Mike

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

Well, I did turn things on--several times. Only at the end did I realize they weren't working. I'm baking the console with low heat now but have not taken it apart yet.

I am fine at taking things apart if it doesn't involve leverage or a hoist. I will post a separate request for information on how to remove the components.

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John C
1987 560SL 109,000 miles
2001 E320 103,000 miles
2007 E350 32,000 miles

The worst thing you can do is "turn-on" any form of electronics that has been made wet or damp and has not yet dried. That goes for a cell phone or a car. While it may or may not have made a difference with your problem, the best course of action after discovering the car was damp would have been to

1) disconnect the battery

2) proceed to dry the car out. You could put some kind of dehumidifer in the car (making sure it doesn't overflow in the car but automatically turns-off), performed some basic disassembly, carefully used a hair dryer at a distance, etc.

What you want to avoid is turning the car "on" in anyway while it is damp. Do not continue to try to drive the car. I would disconnect the battery if you plan further disassembly and drying.

I've had lots of dampness in cars before and never had a thought there was a problem like this one! I didn't see the problem until after driving.

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John C
1987 560SL 109,000 miles
2001 E320 103,000 miles
2007 E350 32,000 miles

Please Please... DO NOT take it apart and stick it into your home oven...


Peter L. House

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Peter L. House
1998 Sport E430
Azure Blue
110,000k Miles

1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon
V8 Bucket Seats
Factory Moon Roof

Why not?? As long as he watches the temp there should not be any problem. Automotive temp specs are 105C min (221F).

Mike

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

To dry out wheels and tires:
-Remove wheel and tire assembly from car and place flat on the ground
-Douse entire wheel/tire assembly liberaly with 91+octane gasoline.
-Light.

Just kidding I feel for your plight

Best wishes
Marty

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-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831799-post13.html
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831807-post14.html

Would this be a dry part of the bay area or a wet part of the bay area? I would do the fan idea - for several days of dry weather. Disconnect the battery, open both doors, and point a strong fan at the console. I'd be willing to bet your haven't done any real damage.

Still nothing works. Good news is that I could start the car in neutral--won't start in park. Had to use manual release to move the shifter. FIngers crossed for the am but if doesn't work will drive it (in first gear only, can you believe it) to the dealer. No need to mention to him what actually happened though....

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John C
1987 560SL 109,000 miles
2001 E320 103,000 miles
2007 E350 32,000 miles

Darn John,
Why do you keep trying to start it??
Your too impatient and your just going to do more damage.

Danny