BMW 5 Diesel Wipers Running Wild: Fix & Mechanic Tips

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2012 BMW 3 Series diesel last winter. The symptoms were identical, wipers had a mind of their own and sometimes wouldn't respond at all. Turned out the wiring harness in the steering column had some corroded connections, and there was also a fault in the rain sensor connector. Got it fixed at my regular garage, they had to replace the entire wiring harness and the rain sensor module. Wasn't a complicated job, but it needed proper diagnostic equipment to pinpoint the exact issue. The mechanic showed me the corroded parts afterward, and you could clearly see where moisture had gotten in. It's not a major mechanical issue, but it definitely needs fixing as it can get dangerous when the wipers fail in bad weather. My advice would be to get it checked soon before it gets worse. Just make sure whoever works on it has experience with BMW electrical systems, they can be tricky. Best of luck with the repair.

Thanks for sharing your experience, that's really helpful! I'm dealing with almost exactly the same symptoms you described. Quick question, do you remember roughly what the repair cost? Also, has everything worked perfectly since the fix, or have you noticed any other electrical quirks popping up? Trying to get an idea of what I'm in for here.

Hey again! Glad to help with an update! So after taking your advice, I got my BMW checked out, and turns out it wasn't nearly as bad as my previous repair. The mechanic found a faulty cable connection to the wiper switch, much simpler than my old wiring harness problem. Total bill came to 95 € for fixing the connection, which was a relief! Since the repair, the wipers have been working perfectly, no more unusual starts or failures. Haven't seen any other electrical issues pop up either. It's been smooth sailing for several months now. Much cheaper and easier than I expected, honestly! Just to give you peace of mind, these wiper issues are pretty common in BMWs, but once they're properly fixed, they tend to stay fixed. The key is getting someone who knows what they're looking for. Hope this helps with your decision-making! Let me know how it goes with yours!

Thanks so much for the follow-up! I actually just got back from the mechanic today. You were spot on about finding someone who knows BMWs, I did some research and found a specialized shop. They diagnosed it quickly, and like you said, it was just a faulty connection. The repair was straightforward and cost me about 120 bucks. The mechanic was great, showed me exactly what was wrong and even cleaned up some corrosion while they were at it. Been testing the wipers all day (probably looking like a weirdo to my neighbors), but they're working perfectly now! Really appreciate your help on this. Saved me from stressing out too much, and the repair was way less painful than I feared. Sometimes these car issues turn out simpler than we expect, right? Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me make the right call!