BMW 3 Hybrid Wiper System Dead: Relay or More?

I faced a similar issue with my BMW 5 Series Hybrid (2015) last year. The symptoms were identical, complete wiper failure and error code. After checking at the garage, they found it wasn't the relay but rather a corroded connection in the wiring harness connecting to the wiper motor control module. In my case, moisture had gotten into the main wiper control connector causing intermittent connection issues. The fix required cleaning the connections and replacing the damaged wiring segment, plus reprogramming the module. It wasn't a major repair, but definitely needed professional attention since it involved electrical system work. Just a heads up, might want to check if there's any water accumulation near your cowl area (where wipers connect). That's often the culprit for these electrical gremlins. Your mileage is quite close to when I had my issue too. Would suggest having a certified BMW tech look at it, since these hybrid systems are a bit more complex than standard models.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful info about the wiring harness, seems like we had pretty similar symptoms. Do you remember roughly how much the repair ended up costing you? Also curious if you've had any other wiper-related issues pop up since getting it fixed? I'm trying to decide if I should bite the bullet and take it to the dealer instead of my usual mechanic.

Hey there! Just wanted to follow up on your questions. After I took my car to a certified mechanic last time, they found it was indeed the wiper relay that was faulty. The repair cost me 95 € to fix, turns out there was a bad cable connection that needed sorting out. Much simpler than my previous wiring harness issue! I'm happy to report I haven't had any wiper problems since that repair, which was a huge relief. The wipers are working perfectly now, both in manual and auto modes. Looking back, I probably worried more than I needed to! About your dilemma between dealer and regular mechanic, honestly, my experience taught me that any competent mechanic who knows hybrid systems should be able to handle this kind of repair. The key is finding someone who'll properly diagnose the issue rather than just throwing parts at it. The dealer isn't always necessary for these kinds of electrical fixes. Trust me, getting it properly fixed by someone who knows what they're doing is worth it in the long run. Let me know how it goes if you decide to get it checked out!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! You know what? I actually just got back from a certified mechanic today. Turns out you were spot on about not needing the dealer. Found a really good independent shop that specializes in European cars. The issue was pretty straightforward, a faulty wiper motor connection that needed cleaning and reseating, plus a small wiring fix. Whole thing cost me way less than I expected, just around 120 bucks. Much better than what the dealer quoted me! They had it fixed in about two hours, and the wipers are working perfectly now. The mechanic even showed me what was wrong and explained everything. Really glad I didn't put this off any longer, was getting pretty annoying having to drive without working wipers! Thanks again for encouraging me to get it looked at. Sometimes these electrical issues aren't as complicated or expensive as we fear. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, helped me make the right call on this one!