BMW 3 Hybrid Multiple System Failure, Cruise Dead

Hey there! I had similar issues with my 2011 BMW 5 Series Hybrid (also owned a 7 Series before). I've got some experience working with cars, but I mainly trust professional mechanics for complex electrical issues. Those warning lights lighting up together usually points to an electrical connection problem. In my case, it was a faulty cable connection in the steering wheel module that was causing all those systems to go haywire. Took it to my regular workshop, and they diagnosed it pretty quickly. The repair involved replacing some damaged wiring and connectors, cost me 95 Euro total. Before I can share more specific advice, could you share: Have you noticed any other electrical issues? Does this happen when the car is cold or after driving for a while? Have you had any recent work done on the steering wheel or airbag system? These details would help me understand if you're dealing with the same issue I had.

Thanks for the detailed reply! I've got 155034 KM on the clock, and my last service was about 2 months ago. Actually, I've noticed the issue gets worse when the car's been running for about 20 minutes. No recent work on the steering or airbag system, but I've been experiencing some weird behavior with the power windows too, they sometimes work sluggishly. I'm guessing it might be related to what you experienced with the wiring. Really hoping it's just a connection issue like in your case, rather than having to replace the entire module. Did your windows act up too before you got it fixed?

Yes, I remember my case well! Actually, I had the exact same symptoms with the power windows before getting the wiring fixed. They would act sluggish and sometimes even stop working completely. The fact that your issues get worse after running for about 20 minutes also matches my experience, it's typical of electrical problems that get worse as components heat up. With my BMW, the main issue turned out to be corrosion in the wiring harness connecting to the steering wheel module. The heat from normal operation would cause the corroded connections to expand slightly, leading to all those warning lights and malfunctions. The sluggish windows were just another symptom of the overall electrical system getting confused by the bad signals. My mechanic showed me the corroded wiring after they took it apart, it was pretty nasty! If I had waited longer, it probably would have gotten much worse and possibly damaged other components. The repair was relatively straightforward once they identified the problem. Given your symptoms are so similar to what I experienced, I'd bet you're dealing with the same issue. My advice would be to get it checked soon, these electrical gremlins tend to spread if left unchecked. The repair should be pretty reasonable cost-wise if it's just the wiring, like in my case. Feel free to ask if you need any other details about my repair experience!

Thanks so much for all this information! You've really put my mind at ease. The similarity between our issues is uncanny, especially the part about problems getting worse with heat and the window behavior. I'll definitely get it checked out this week before it potentially spreads to other systems. The fact that your repair was straightforward and relatively inexpensive is really encouraging. I was honestly dreading a complete module replacement, which would have been a much bigger hit to the wallet. Your experience helps me feel more confident about what to expect when I take it to the workshop. I'll make sure to specifically mention the possible wiring harness corrosion to my mechanic, might save some diagnostic time. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience in such detail. This is exactly the kind of first-hand insight I was hoping for when I posted my question!