Center console buttons sticky due to liquid spill

coder77 · 11-23-2022, 11:07 AM

Hey there,

The buttons Sport, Comfort, Eco-Pro are barely functioning in my car due to liquid spill onto the panel. They are sticky and hard to press.

I think they are fine electronics wise because I can switch modes if I force the buttons in.

Is this panel user serviceable as in can I pop open the panel and clean the liquid residue? I could not find a tutorial in YouTube about it.

If not, what would be the OEM part number to order?

Thank you!

bimmerstar · 11-25-2022, 07:58 AM

what year is your car? I would say the panels could be opened but you need special torx bits and screw drivers to disassemble without breaking anything. A new used shifter is around $200./

Soul_Glo · 11-28-2022, 02:38 PM

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...8;d=1594639690

Here's a starter..

sirumcz · 12-01-2023, 04:41 AM

Hi, I am facing the same issue, I spilled yogurt into the same area, and now they are hard to press down. What did you end up doing, may I also ask how much did it cost?

Dan B · 12-15-2023, 01:42 PM

My wife gets mad that I don't allow anything but water in the car. And this is why.

You can try wiping down the panel with a damp cloth. Spray the cloth with a quality interior cleaner and wipe down the buttons. Then once the area is damp, not dripping wet so the now loosened liquid doesn't get worse, use a vacuum to suck the liquid out.

If you want to be extra careful use a Q-tip and do one button at a time.

It may take a few passes but this may help.

11-23-2022, 11:07 AM	#1
coder77 Enlisted Member 16 Rep 46 Posts Drives: BMW M340i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Center console buttons sticky due to liquid spill Hey there, The buttons Sport, Comfort, Eco-Pro are barely functioning in my car due to liquid spill onto the panel. They are sticky and hard to press. I think they are fine electronics wise because I can switch modes if I force the buttons in. Is this panel user serviceable as in can I pop open the panel and clean the liquid residue? I could not find a tutorial in YouTube about it. If not, what would be the OEM part number to order? Thank you!
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11-25-2022, 07:58 AM	#2
bimmerstar Second Lieutenant 149 Rep 237 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW M340xi Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Michigan iTrader: (2)	what year is your car? I would say the panels could be opened but you need special torx bits and screw drivers to disassemble without breaking anything. A new used shifter is around $200./ __________________ 2024 G87 Zandvoort Blue M2 w/ Buckets - Stock 93\| 0-60 TBD \| 1/4 TBD \| 60-130 TBD 2020 G20 Tanzanite Blue II M340 xDrive - E30 BM3\| 0-60 3.28 \| 1/4 11.39@123 \| 60-130 9.56 Past: 2017 W205 Black C43 AMG - E40 FBO No Turbo \| 0-60 3.21 \| 1/4 11.18@124 \| 60-130 9.17
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11-28-2022, 02:38 PM	#3
Soul_Glo Major General 13379 Rep 7,484 Posts Drives: G20 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Manhattan, NYC iTrader: (1)	https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...8;d=1594639690 Here's a starter..
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12-01-2023, 04:41 AM	#4
sirumcz Registered 2 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW F36 Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Hi, I am facing the same issue, I spilled yogurt into the same area, and now they are hard to press down. What did you end up doing, may I also ask how much did it cost?
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12-15-2023, 01:42 PM	#5
Dan B Lieutenant 307 Rep 414 Posts Drives: 2024 M440i xDrive Gran Coupe Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Chicago NW Suburbs iTrader: (0)	My wife gets mad that I don't allow anything but water in the car. And this is why. You can try wiping down the panel with a damp cloth. Spray the cloth with a quality interior cleaner and wipe down the buttons. Then once the area is damp, not dripping wet so the now loosened liquid doesn't get worse, use a vacuum to suck the liquid out. If you want to be extra careful use a Q-tip and do one button at a time. It may take a few passes but this may help.
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