BMW 6 Washer System Failed: Common Causes & Solutions

Hey there! I have some experience working with cars and went through something really similar with my 2002 BMW 5 series diesel. When my washer stopped working, I got the same warning. Took it to my regular workshop, turned out it was just desperately low on washer fluid, which triggered the system's safety cut-off. The fix was super simple and cost me about 25 Euro including the fluid top-up and a quick system check. I know BMWs pretty well (also owned a 3 series), but I'd need to know a few things to help more: Has your warning light been on for a while? Did you check if there's any fluid in the reservoir? Also, can you hear the pump trying to work when you activate the washers?

Thanks for sharing your experience! I've got 70824 KM on mine and had the last service about 3 months ago. Just checked the reservoir, it's actually full, but still no action from the pump when I try to use it. I can't hear any humming or movement, it's completely silent. The warning light just popped up yesterday, which makes me think it might be the pump itself rather than just a fluid issue. Did your mechanic mention anything about pump failure cases?

Hey again! Thanks for the extra details about your BMW. That definitely changes things from what I initially thought. You're right, if the reservoir is full and you're not hearing anything from the pump, it's probably not the same fluid-level issue I had with mine. When I mentioned my experience earlier, my mechanic actually did talk about pump failures too. He said they're not super common but do happen, especially in these older models. From what I remember of our conversation, the complete silence you're describing is usually a tell-tale sign of a pump that's given up. In my years with BMWs, I've learned they're pretty reliable, but these smaller components can sometimes act up. Since your car's last service was just 3 months ago, might be worth calling the workshop that did it. Could be something they can spot quickly, and might even be related to the recent service work. Just a thought, before you head to the shop, you might want to check the fuse for the washer pump. It's a quick and easy check that could save you a workshop visit. But if that's not it, yeah, you're probably looking at a pump replacement. Mine's been running fine since that fluid issue, but I'd be curious to hear what you find out about yours.

Thanks for all that detailed info! Just checked the fuse like you suggested, it's actually all good, which pretty much confirms what you said about the pump being the likely culprit. I've gone ahead and booked it in at the workshop for tomorrow morning. They quoted around €200 for a new pump plus labor, which sounds about right from what I've been reading online. Really appreciate you taking the time to walk me through this, especially that fuse tip! Would've felt pretty silly if I'd gone to the workshop just for that. I'll let you know how it goes, might help someone else with the same issue down the line. Thanks again for your help!