BMW 2 Series Glow Plug Warning: Fix & Cost Guide

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2020 BMW 3 Series diesel last winter. The symptoms were identical, glow plug warning light, rough cold starts, and battery strain. Had it checked at my garage, turned out two glow plugs were defective and needed replacement. The mechanic also found some wiring harness corrosion that was causing connection issues. It's a fairly common problem with diesel engines, especially as they age. The repair itself wasn't too complex, but it's crucial to get it fixed promptly. Continued use with faulty glow plugs can lead to starting system damage and excessive battery wear. My car runs perfectly now, starts smoothly even in cold weather, and the warning light hasn't come back. Quick tip: make sure they check all glow plugs, not just the faulty ones. Often when one fails, others aren't far behind. Also, have them look at the control module since that can sometimes be the culprit. Hope this helps with your decision.

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience! That's really helpful, especially about checking all the glow plugs at once. Mind if I ask how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, curious if you've had any other issues pop up since getting it fixed? I want to get a better idea of what I'm getting into cost-wise and make sure I'm not overlooking anything.

Hey again! Just wanted to update you on my repair costs, I ended up paying 440€ for the whole fix. I know it might sound a bit steep, but honestly, it was worth every penny. The mechanic replaced all the problematic glow plugs and sorted out the wiring issues. I'm really happy to report that since getting it fixed, my 2020 3 Series has been running like a dream. No more cold start problems, no warning lights, and the battery's not struggling anymore. It's been about a year now, and I haven't had a single glow plug related issue pop up. The car starts up instantly, even on those chilly mornings. Actually, getting all the glow plugs checked turned out to be solid advice, they found one more that was on its way out, so fixing everything at once probably saved me from another garage visit down the line. The mechanic did a thorough job checking the control module too, but fortunately, that wasn't part of the problem. If you're worried about the cost, I'd say it's better to get it sorted sooner rather than later. Putting it off could lead to bigger problems (and bigger bills!) down the road.

Thanks so much for all that detail! I actually took my car to a new mechanic yesterday based on your advice. You were spot on, they found three faulty glow plugs and some wiring issues too. The bill came to about 500€, slightly more than yours but they did a complete check of the electrical system while they were at it. Honestly, I'm just relieved it's fixed now. The car starts like a champ this morning, even though it was pretty cold. The warning light's gone too, which is such a relief. The mechanic I picked was really thorough and explained everything they were doing, which was a nice change from my last experience. Thanks again for pushing me to get it checked properly rather than trying to limp along with the problem. You were absolutely right about fixing everything at once, feels good knowing I won't have to worry about this again anytime soon. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It helped me make a better decision about getting this sorted!

Multiple defective glow plugs in winter - can become a problem. One defective glow plug in summer - you can also exaggerate with "critical". They are not currently used at all. Regards from the automotive mechanic & Dipl.-Ing. (no, that's not a question)

(Translated from German)

It's true that glow plugs are more critical in colder weather as they help with starting the engine. However, addressing any issues promptly is important to prevent further complications, especially in winter. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!