BMW iX3 Multiple Warning Lights, Battery/Voltage Issues?

Hey there! I had a very similar issue with my 2019 BMW i3 last year. Those symptoms sound exactly like what I experienced, warning lights going crazy and sluggish startup. Was super annoying! Took it to my regular workshop where I've been going for years. Turned out the high-voltage battery had discharged way below normal levels, causing all sorts of electrical gremlins. The diagnosis and fix cost me 290 Euro, they had to recondition the battery pack and reset all the systems. The BMW i-series can be tricky with these electrical issues. Before I can share more specific advice, could you share: How long have you had these symptoms? What specific warning lights are you seeing? Have you noticed any patterns when the issues occur? Let me know these details, I might be able to help you avoid some of the headaches I went through!

Thanks for sharing your experience! My iX3 just hit 140261 KM and had its latest service two months ago. The symptoms started about a week ago, mainly when starting up in the morning. I'm seeing the drivetrain malfunction light, battery warning, and occasionally the power steering warning. They seem to appear out of nowhere, but more frequently after the car sits unused for a few hours. Your i3 situation sounds similar to what I'm experiencing. I'm wondering if it could be the same battery discharge issue, though mine's a bit newer. Did you notice any improvement after the battery reconditioning, or did other issues pop up later? Really hoping I won't need a full battery replacement!

Hey again! Yeah, hearing about your symptoms definitely reminds me of what I went through. After the battery reconditioning on my i3, things improved dramatically, all those annoying warning lights disappeared and the startup became smooth again. The fix held up really well and I haven't had any similar issues since. But here's something interesting, my mechanic mentioned that despite being newer, the iX3 can actually be more sensitive to these electrical issues because of its more complex systems. In my case, they found that the battery wasn't just discharged, but the voltage regulator was also acting up, causing those unusual warning lights. The morning startup issues you're describing? That's exactly what I experienced. The colder battery combined with the voltage regulation problem made everything go haywire first thing in the morning. The good news is that it's usually fixable without needing a full battery replacement. Quick tip from my experience, try not to let the car sit unused for too long periods. I now make sure to take mine for a good drive at least every couple of days, and it seems to help keep the electrical system happy. Have you noticed if the warnings get better after driving for a while? That might help confirm if it's the same issue I had.

Thanks for the detailed reply! You've actually made me feel a lot better about this situation. It's really helpful to hear that you had such a positive outcome with your i3. And yes, you've hit the nail on the head, the warnings do tend to clear up after I've been driving for about 15-20 minutes, which seems to match what you experienced. I'm relieved to hear you didn't need a full battery replacement. I was really worried about that potential cost! I'll definitely take your advice about regular driving, I've been working from home lately, so the car has been sitting more than usual. That could explain why these issues started showing up. Think I'll book it in with my workshop next week and mention the voltage regulator specifically. It's good to have some idea of what to expect, especially since your repair costs weren't astronomical. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, it's helped me understand what I might be dealing with. Just hoping my fix will be as straightforward as yours was! Thanks again for all the info.