BMW M3 Washer Nozzle Problems: Heater Malfunction?

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2004 BMW M5 last winter. I have some experience working on cars, but this was a new one for me. The symptoms sounded exactly like what my car had, frozen nozzles and error codes. Took it to my regular workshop and they found it was just a faulty connection in the washer heater wiring. They had to replace some cables and a connector. Cost me about 95 Euro and took them around an hour to fix. Can you share your current mileage and whether you're getting any specific error codes? Also, do the nozzles work at all when it's not freezing? This info would help me give you more specific advice based on my experience.

Thanks for the input! My M3 is at 172238 KM and had its last service about 2 months ago. Yeah, the nozzles actually work fine in warmer weather, but they're completely dead when it gets cold. Getting error code P0D14 on the dash. Did your mechanic have to replace the entire heater unit, or was it really just the wiring? Just trying to get an idea of what I'm in for cost-wise.

Hey again! Yeah, looking at your mileage and that P0D14 code, it sounds pretty much identical to what I experienced with my M5. In my case, they didn't need to replace the entire heater unit, it was really just the wiring and that one connector I mentioned. The wiring had gotten corroded over time and was causing intermittent connections, which explained both the freezing and the scorching. But here's something I didn't mention before, after they fixed it, I actually had the same issue come back about a month later. Turned out there was also a small crack in the washer fluid line near the heater that they missed the first time. So when they fixed it the second time, they replaced that section of the line too. Maybe ask your mechanic to check the lines while they're in there? All in, with both repairs, I ended up paying around 150 Euro total. Still way cheaper than replacing the entire heater unit, which they quoted at like 400 Euro. Given that your symptoms are so similar, I'd bet you're looking at the same kind of repair. Just make sure they check those lines!

Thanks so much for all that detailed info! That's really helpful, especially the tip about checking the fluid lines. It's actually a relief to hear it might just be a wiring issue rather than needing the whole heater unit replaced. I'll definitely mention the fluid line check when I take it in, don't want to end up having to go back twice like you did! My mechanic's usually pretty thorough, but I'll make sure to specifically bring up everything you've mentioned. The price range you quoted sounds way more manageable than what I was worried about. Really appreciate you sharing your experience with this, was getting worried it might be something major. Will book it in for next week and hopefully get this sorted out before it gets any worse. Thanks again for taking the time to help out!