BMW iX1 AUC Sensor & Blower Failure: Help Needed

Hey there! I have some experience with EVs and went through something very similar with my 2020 BMW i4. Being a BMW owner myself (also have an iX3), I totally get your frustration with these sensor issues. Last month, my air circulation was acting weird too, same symptoms with the smell and blower problems. Took it to my workshop and turned out it was a loose connection in the sensor wiring harness. The mechanic found that the cable connecting to the AUC sensor was slightly damaged and wasn't making proper contact. The fix was pretty straightforward, they replaced the faulty wiring and recalibrated the sensor. Cost me 95 Euro and it's been working perfectly since then. Before I can give more specific advice, could you share: Have you noticed any other warning lights? Does this happen all the time or only in specific conditions? Have you had any recent work done on the car?

Hey, thanks for your detailed response and for sharing your experience! My iX1 just had its last service about 2,300 KM ago, and I'm currently at 194,075 KM on the odometer. Actually, I don't have any other warning lights showing up, it's just the AUC sensor error that keeps popping up. The smell and blower issues are pretty consistent, happening every time I drive, regardless of weather or driving conditions. Haven't had any recent work done besides regular maintenance. Your wiring harness issue sounds similar to what I might be experiencing. Did your mechanic mention how long the repair process took? Also curious if they had to order any special parts or if it was just a standard fix they could do right away?

Hey again! Thanks for those extra details about your iX1. Since we've got similar cars, I can definitely relate to what you're going through. Yeah, my repair took about 2 hours total, most of that time was actually spent on diagnosing and accessing the wiring. My mechanic didn't need to order any special parts since it was mainly the wiring harness that needed attention, and they had that in stock. But looking at your situation, especially with those consistent symptoms and the mileage you're at, you might be dealing with something a bit different. Given that this started happening right after your service, I'd actually recommend getting it checked out at the same place that did your maintenance. Could be something that got knocked loose during the service. Mine had a similar issue after a routine check, turns out one of the connectors wasn't properly secured after they finished. Quick tip though, before you take it in, try running the ventilation system on full blast for about 10 minutes with the recirculation on. This helped me identify exactly when and where the smell was strongest, which made it easier for the mechanic to pinpoint the problem. Would be interesting to know if you get the same results as I did. Let me know how it goes, always curious to hear about other BMW EV owners' experiences!

Thanks for all the helpful information! Your ventilation test tip was particularly useful, I just tried running it on full blast like you suggested, and noticed the smell is definitely strongest when switching between fresh air and recirculation modes. Going to call my service center right now and schedule an appointment for next week. Given what you've shared about your experience, I'll make sure to mention the possibility of loose connections from the recent service. Really hoping it's just a simple wiring fix like yours was. Will definitely keep you posted on what they find and what ends up fixing the issue. Thanks again for taking the time to help me understand this better, it's great to get insights from someone who's dealt with something similar!