BMW 2 Series Diesel Overheating, Fan Failure Warning

Hey there! I have some experience working on cars, and I actually dealt with a similar issue on my 2018 BMW 1 Series diesel last summer. The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I experienced. In my case, it turned out to be a loose connection in the wiring harness to the cooling fan. My mechanic found that the plug wasn't making proper contact, causing the fan to stop working intermittently. The repair was pretty straightforward, they fixed the connection and checked the entire cooling system. Cost me 95 Euro, and I haven't had any issues since. Could you share more details about when this typically happens? Like, does it occur in stop-and-go traffic or at highway speeds? Also, have you noticed any coolant leaks? This info would help determine if you're dealing with the same problem I had. Feel free to ask any other questions, happy to help!

Thanks for sharing your experience! I've had my car for about 51592 KM and just had it serviced last month, so this issue caught me off guard. The overheating mostly happens when I'm stuck in traffic or during short trips around town. Haven't spotted any coolant leaks yet, but I'm definitely worried about driving it too much in this condition. Your wiring harness issue sounds pretty similar to what I might be dealing with. It's good to hear it wasn't too expensive to fix in your case. Did your mechanic mention any other common causes I should look out for?

Hey again! Thanks for those extra details about your car. Yeah, the symptoms you're describing are really similar to what I experienced, especially the overheating during city driving and short trips. That's exactly when the cooling fan needs to work hardest since there's no airflow through the radiator. While the loose wiring connection was the culprit in my case, my mechanic did mention a few other common issues to watch for with these BMWs. The coolant temperature sensor can sometimes fail, giving false readings that trigger the emergency mode. Also, the water pump can wear out, though that usually comes with some telltale whining noises before it fails completely. After my repair, I learned it's a good idea to listen for the fan when you first turn off the car while it's hot. It should run for a bit to help cool things down. If it's dead silent, that's definitely a red flag. One thing I forgot to mention in my first reply, before getting it fixed, I started carrying extra coolant just in case. But honestly, with these symptoms, I'd get it checked out soon. These engines don't like running hot for too long, and the emergency mode is there for a reason. Let me know what you find out when you get it looked at. I'm curious if it turns out to be the same issue as mine!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! That's super helpful, especially about listening for the fan after turning off the car, I just went out to check and you're right, it's completely silent. I'm definitely going to get this looked at first thing next week. I'll make sure to mention the wiring harness issue to my mechanic, along with the other potential causes you brought up. I've already grabbed some extra coolant to keep in the trunk just to be safe. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, it's made me feel a bit less worried knowing this is likely a fixable issue that won't break the bank. I'll update you once I get the diagnosis back from the shop. Thanks again for all your help!