BMW i3 Parking Heater Dead: Repair Help Needed

Hey there! I faced a similar issue with my 2011 BMW i8 Hybrid last winter. The auxiliary heater failure turned out to be related to defective glow plugs and a worn-out control module. When my heater stopped working, I got the same symptoms, no activation sound and complete failure to start. At the garage, they diagnosed it with their BMW-specific diagnostic tool. The glow plugs had deteriorated due to normal wear and tear. It was a serious repair since they had to access the auxiliary heater assembly, which is tucked away under several components. They replaced both glow plugs and the control module as they usually fail together at this mileage. The fix restored full heater functionality, and I haven't had any issues since then. Given your mileage, it's likely the same problem. My advice would be to get it checked at a shop that specializes in BMW hybrids since they'll have the right diagnostic equipment. Hope this helps with your decision.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! That's really helpful to know about the glow plugs and control module being the culprit. I'm glad your repair sorted everything out. Would you mind telling me roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole job? Also curious if you've had any other heating-related issues pop up since getting it fixed?

Hey again! Happy to give you an update! I took your advice and went to a BMW specialist. You were spot on, it was indeed the glow plugs causing all the trouble. The total repair came to 440 € which covered the parts and labor. Honestly, I was bracing myself for worse given how these things usually go with luxury cars! The best part is that since getting it fixed, the auxiliary heater has been working perfectly. Not a single problem in the heating system. It's such a relief to have warm starts in the morning again! I was a bit worried other issues might crop up, but it's been smooth sailing for several months now. The mechanics explained that glow plug failure is pretty common at our mileage range, so it wasn't anything unusual. The diagnostic tool they used pinpointed the issue straight away, which saved time in the repair process. Let me know if you need any other info. Always happy to help another BMW owner out!

Thanks again for all the details! I actually just got back from getting my car fixed today. You were absolutely right about going to a BMW specialist, what a difference compared to my previous mechanic experiences! The diagnostic showed the same issue you had. My repair bill came in slightly higher at 520 € because they found a small wiring issue they had to fix too. But honestly, I'm just relieved it wasn't worse. The mechanic was really thorough and explained everything clearly, none of that confusing technical jargon I've dealt with before. The car's running great now, the heater kicks in immediately and works perfectly. Such a weight off my mind knowing it's all sorted before the cold weather really hits. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it gave me the confidence to get it checked out properly rather than putting it off any longer. Thanks again for your help, definitely saved me from potentially bigger headaches down the road!