[AndyR83]

Yesterday, on the way home from the grocery store, I began having some strange problems. My speakers began to sputter and crackle and, after a few minutes, there was no sound whatsoever. I turned the radio on and off a few times, and eventually the speakers were emitting only bass tones. No mids or treble could be heard. Not entirely sure what to make of this, I drove the rest of the way home.

Upon reaching my house and taking the groceries out of the trunk, I noticed that the milk (on the left side of the trunk) had leaked a bit and there was some fluid collected on the gray plastic cover over my audio hardware. There was only a little bit of milk missing from the jug (the level was about an inch below where it should have been) and I was able to quickly clean up as much of it from the area as possible. Unfortunately, some of it soaked into the carpeting in the trunk. Also, upon removal of the gray plastic cover, I found some of the electronics inside were wet. I'm not certain, but I assume the silver device I'm seeing under there is the amplifier for my sound system. I did my best to dry it off, and let it sit to dry.

This morning, upon getting in my car, I initially found that the audio sounded exactly the same; bass only, no treble, no mids, and lots of snap crackle pop. About halfway to work, for no obvious reason, it suddenly snapped back to normal and began working properly. I'm not sure what to expect at this point. Do I need a new amp if this keeps up? I imagine something like that isn't cheap, especially from the stealership. Am I better off buying an aftermarket one if this is indeed what I need? Is there something else here that I'm not considering?

Insert crying over spilled milk joke here.

[N55]

Screwed Level: 10/10

Same thing happened to me except it was one bottle of water. Had to replace amps. It was a pretty penny.

[GChase]

Yeah one of BMW's biggest design flaws is putting the battery and amp in the trunk. I'm always scared to put a full cooler or any drinks in my trunk so I just put it on the ground in the back seat.

You may not be completely screwed if it started working again, but your only hope may be going to Church haha

[jvsxn]

Originally Posted by GChase

Yeah one of BMW's biggest design flaws is putting the battery and amp in the trunk. I'm always scared to put a full cooler or any drinks in my trunk so I just put it on the ground in the back seat.

You may not be completely screwed if it started working again, but your only hope may be going to Church haha

[Chris_506]

lol damnnnnnnnn that sucks, i would ebay some used amps or lkq it.

[AddictedToBavarian]

Do you have a dehumidifier? If so, put it in your trunk overnight, or even for 24 hours without turning the car on and see if that does it. It doesn't sound like a lot of milk got in there. I've seen electronics survive much worth after some time of drying out.

[BMW_Belgier]

Be carefull with milk!!! It can leave a smell that stays for months...

[AddictedToBavarian]

Originally Posted by BMW_Belgier

Be carefull with milk!!! It can leave a smell that stays for months...

I don't really think he's worried about the smell right now.

[BMW_Belgier]

Originally Posted by AddictedToBavarian

I don't really think he's worried about the smell right now.

Amps you can change, a bad smell from something organic can be terrible!!! And you will not get it out so easy...

[N55]

Originally Posted by AddictedToBavarian

Do you have a dehumidifier? If so, put it in your trunk overnight, or even for 24 hours without turning the car on and see if that does it. It doesn't sound like a lot of milk got in there. I've seen electronics survive much worth after some time of drying out.

Or take the amp out and put in a bowl of uncooked rice.

[BMW_Belgier]

Originally Posted by N55

Or take the amp out and put in a bowl of uncooked rice.

+1

That works

[AndyR83]

Hmm it may be too late for that. It's been a little over 24 hours at this point

[phipark]

I'm confused. It's working Iike normal now? so, I see no problem. All the water must have evaporated. You might have been lucky that nothing permanently shorted.

[GOTMH8N]

try to dry out the amp. if your 10/10 screwed then it can't hurt right?

[Dark_Knight_335]

Originally Posted by N55

Or take the amp out and put in a bowl of uncooked rice.

You're going to need a big ass bowl for that- and a whole lotta rice!

[catherineanh]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

You're going to need a big ass bowl for that- and a whole lotta rice!

he can go to an asian grocery store and buy a big bag of rice

[Dark_Knight_335]

Awww snap!

[Karbon]

I'd wait and see.
If it's working now it may end up being fine.

If it starts cutting out again i'd think about replacing it but don't do it unless you have to.

[AGM5]

As for the electronics: Pull the Electronics, clean connections (vehicle and components) with contact cleaner. Put the electronics after cleaner has thoroughly evaporated, in the oven at about 105°C for 30 minutes or more. This will reduce the moisture content in the components.

Your only worry, if things are working again, is an increased risk of tin migration. To help reduce this risk you need to get the moisture out ASAP.

As for the vehicle: clean the affected areas with distilled water and a mild detergent. Blot dry and place some charcoal briquettes on aluminum foil in the boot. This is will help absorb moisture. If an odor lingers, vanilla extract on cotton balls.

[BrazilianBimmer]

Can't cry over spilled mlk. Get-r-done!!

[AndyR83]

Today everything seems to be back to 100% normal... thinking I may have dodged a bullet on this one...

If nothing else, this has opened my eyes to the fact that the amps are in the trunk. I just assumed they were under the front seats or something. I'll be far more careful with liquids in the trunk from now on!

[Wolf 335]

Just drive and enjoy. if it works fine now leave it, dont mess with it.