[bobinyelm]

RESOLUTION:

Owner took her car to local BMW dealer in frustration.

Turns out a rodent got up on top of the starter and ate wiring harness. There was NO evidence anywhere of anything living there, and zero mouse or rat turds anywhere in or under the car. No shredded insulation like I usually see with rodents, but I guess she's known the service writer for years and trusts him implicitly.

She wouldn't tell me the final bill amount, but said it required removing the intake manifold and many making spices to replace missing several sections of wiring. She admitted to over 8 hours labor being spent, plus they sold her a new battery and a bunch of under hood hoses.

They said her water pump is OK (thought at 135k miles may not have long to live).

She is now religiously mixing essential oil of peppermint and water w/ some dish detergent and spraying our joint carport so it smells like a candy cane factory hoping it won't happen again.

Thanks to those who replied with suggestions!

Bob