BMW Washer & Wiper Failure: Common Culprits & Costs

Hi there! I had a similar issue with my 2011 BMW 3 Series diesel last year. The symptoms were exactly the same as yours, no washer fluid and dead auto-wipers. Turned out the main pump cable had corroded and lost connection near the relay box. The previous owner hadn't properly sealed a connector after some maintenance work. When I took it to the garage, they found that moisture had gotten into the wiring, causing the relay and pump connection to fail. While it wasn't a major mechanical issue, it needed proper diagnosis because these systems are interconnected in BMWs. They had to replace the pump connector, clean up the corrosion, and reseal everything properly. Just a heads up, don't wait too long to fix it. In my case, the moisture could have spread to other electrical components if left unchecked. The repair itself wasn't particularly complex, but finding the exact problem spot took some time. Be sure to have them check the relay too, sometimes it's not just the cable that's the problem.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That really sounds similar to what I'm dealing with. I'm glad you got it sorted out. Do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been working fine since then, or have you noticed any other electrical niggles pop up?

Hey again! Just wanted to follow up, I actually got this fixed last week and you'll be happy to know it was exactly what I suspected. The mechanic found a faulty cable connection at the pump and a dodgy relay, just like in my previous case. Total bill came to 165 € and honestly, it was worth every penny. Since the repair, everything's working perfectly, wipers are doing their thing automatically again, and the washer fluid's spraying like new. The headlight cleaning system is also back to normal, which was a bonus as I hadn't even realized it wasn't working properly before. No other electrical issues have cropped up since then, thank goodness. The mechanic did a thorough job sealing everything up properly this time, so hopefully, we won't see any more moisture-related problems. These BMW electrical systems can be a bit finicky, but once they're fixed properly, they tend to stay sorted. Definitely recommend getting it checked out sooner rather than later, might save you from bigger headaches down the road!

Thanks so much for the update! I actually just got back from the mechanic today and wanted to share my experience too. You were spot on about getting it checked quickly. Turned out my issue was pretty similar, corroded wiring and a blown relay. They charged me about 180 bucks for the whole job, which wasn't as bad as I feared. The funny part was watching the mechanic's face when he first popped the hood. He just gave me this knowing look and said, "Classic BMW electrical gremlins!" But I must say, he did a fantastic job. Everything's working perfectly now, the wipers, washers, and even those headlight cleaners I'd forgotten about. Really appreciate everyone's help on this. Feels good to have it sorted without getting ripped off like last time. Guess I've finally found a decent mechanic who knows their stuff! Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me know what to expect.