Q: During rain, dashboard lights & radio fade out - 1999 BMW 332is

asked by on September 04, 2016

The dashboard light in my car fades in and out when it is raining. The radio signal does the same thing in rainy weather. However, the CD player works fine. When I hit a puddle, sometimes the ABS light will come on, but it goes out when I restart my car. These three problems seem connected, as they all three get better at the same time or get worse at the same time. Do you think there is somewhere that these three meet (perhaps under the car) where water might be reaching them to cause them to short out during rainy weather?

Probably one or more electrical connections are getting wet when it rains. The wheel speed sensor for example is at wheel level (inside the wheel arch), and catches all sort of road spray. Once you find the problem connectors, spray electrical "connector cleaner" on the connector before reassembling to prevent future recurrence. A professional mechanic, like a certified technician from YourMechanic, can help with the diagnosis and repair of the failing electrical components.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Rattling and squeaking that's getting to be more frequent.
Rattling and squeaking sounds are usually something that comes from suspension or brake related issues. I would recommend having a mechanic give your truck a thorough brake and suspension inspection (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-safety-inspection-inspection). Something may be broken and knocking against something else...
How do I use the automatic anti-glare feature on the rear view mirror?
The rear view mirror provides added visibility out of the rear window. However, when driving at night, the headlights from other vehicles can reflect off of your mirror with large amounts of glare, which greatly decreases your visibility. The rear...
Car dies
The most common problems causing the engine to stall are either the crank or cam sensor. The engine will need to checked to see if it has any failure codes and if the codes relate to the crank or cam...
Black flakes in oil
It depends on where the black flakes are. If you are talking about when you change the oil and there are black flakes, then you will need to have them analyzed. If those are pieces of metal, it means that...
door locks messed up
It sounds like you may have a lock solenoid failure. A lock solenoid is a magnetic device that pulls the lock mechanism to lock and unlock the door. If you can hear the solenoid clicking in the door, you may...
Won't start - P0410 and P1441 codes are on
Although it's very difficult to diagnose a problem like this without a complete inspection and downloading all error codes (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/evaporation-vent-solenoid-replacement), at first glance, the P1441 EVAP issue may be the reason why you're engine isn't starting. When the EVAP solenoid...
What is causing a loud sound every time I step on the gas?
There are many different things that may cause an engine to struggle such as low fuel pressure, dirty or leaking fuel injectors, a failing or dirty mass air flow sensor and many other possibilities. Low fuel pressure will cause the...
After installation of a new throttle body does everything reset to normal function on the car?
Hi there. After replacing the throttle body to your engine, if the engine light was on and has a pending code, the code will go away. If the code was a hard permanent code, then the ECM (computer) would need...
No power to cab or to fuse block
If you lost all power while driving and now have no power to anything then you need to check the main battery cables and alternator for voltage drop on the cables using a volt meter. This will tell you where...

Related articles

How to Dispose of Car Batteries
Car batteries have chemicals which can damage the environment. Dispose of car batteries at a battery recycling center or a local auto supply store.
How to Get BMW Dealership Certified
BMW car dealerships offer automotive technician jobs to mechanics who are certified through the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) program.
A Mechanic's Guide to the Parts of a Car
Modern cars have many different parts and features, including catalytic converters, anti-lock brakes, four-wheel drive, and keyless ignition.