BMW 5 Series Washer & Wiper Systems Dead, Help Needed

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 last winter. The symptoms were identical, no washer fluid coming out and wipers acting up. When I took it to the garage, they found that the pump relay had corroded connections and the wiring harness leading to the washer pump was damaged. The headlight cleaning system was indeed connected to the problem since they share the same pump setup in these models. It wasn't a major mechanical issue, but it did require careful diagnostic work to pinpoint the exact problem. They had to replace the relay, repair the wiring harness, and clean the connections. The pump itself was actually fine. The whole system started working perfectly after the fix, including both the windshield washers and the headlight cleaning function. You'll want to get this checked soon though, driving without proper visibility isn't great, especially in bad weather. Make sure whoever looks at it has experience with BMW hybrid systems, as the wiring setup is a bit different from standard models.

Hey, thanks so much for sharing that detailed info! This sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Glad to hear it wasn't something catastrophic at least. Would you mind telling me how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also curious if you've had any other issues pop up since then? Really helps to know what to expect before I head to the shop.

Hey again! Great to give you an update, I actually just got this fixed recently and yes, it was totally worth it! The repair cost me 165 Euro in total, which covered fixing the faulty cable connection and relay setup. Since then, everything's been working like a charm, both the windshield washer and the headlight cleaning system are back to normal. Actually pretty relieved it wasn't anything more serious. Haven't had any other issues crop up since the repair, which is always nice! The whole system's been running smoothly for months now. Truth be told, it was a much simpler fix than I initially worried it might be. One thing I've learned from this, these electrical gremlins can seem scary at first, but they're often just connection issues that aren't too complicated to sort out. The key is finding someone who knows their way around BMW's electrical systems. Money well spent in my book, especially considering how important proper visibility is. Just make sure whoever looks at yours checks the whole system thoroughly, sometimes these issues can be related to each other, as we both found out with the headlight cleaning connection!

Thanks so much for the follow-up! Actually, I just got back from the mechanic today and wanted to share my experience. I found a good BMW specialist who really knew their stuff. Funny enough, my issue was pretty similar to yours, corroded connections and some wiring problems. Total bill came to about what you mentioned, give or take a bit. The mechanic was super thorough and showed me exactly what was wrong. They fixed everything in just a couple of hours, and now both the washer and wipers are working perfectly. Such a relief to have this sorted! Much better than my previous repair experiences. The best part? They also gave the whole system a good check and found nothing else concerning. Guess sometimes we worry more than we need to about these things. Really glad I asked here first, helped me know what to expect and not get overcharged. Thanks again for all your help!