BMW X1 Coolant Warning & CEL: Low Levels or Worse?

I had a similar issue with my 2013 BMW X3 last year. The coolant temp warning and check engine light combo turned out to be a faulty coolant level sensor connector. The cable connection had corroded over time, causing inaccurate readings. Initially thought it was a major cooling system problem, but my mechanic found the corroded connector during inspection. They cleaned the connection points, replaced the wiring harness for that section, and recalibrated the sensor. Not a serious repair, but definitely needed immediate attention to prevent any potential overheating issues. If your symptoms match mine, it might be the same problem. Make sure to get it checked soon, driving with potential cooling system issues isn't worth the risk. The repair took about 2 hours in my case. Just a heads up though, have them check for actual coolant leaks too. Sometimes a bad sensor connection can mask real coolant loss.

Thanks for sharing that, it's really helpful! I've got that exact same issue with my X1 right now. Seems like a sensor problem could definitely be the culprit rather than something more serious. Do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the repair? And has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other cooling-related problems?

Hey there! Glad I could help. Just to update you, yes, everything's been running perfectly fine since I got it fixed. The total bill came to 95 € for the cable connection repair, which honestly wasn't as bad as I initially feared. Was definitely worth getting it sorted quickly. Actually, during the inspection, they found the coolant level was a bit low too, but they topped that up as part of the service. Haven't had a single cooling-related issue since then, no warning lights, no temperature problems, nothing. It's been about a year now and the car's running like a charm. Looking back, I was pretty worried at first because cooling problems can be serious, but it turned out to be a relatively simple fix. The mechanic said these sensor connections can get corroded over time, especially in older BMWs. Just make sure you get a proper inspection done to rule out any actual coolant leaks. Better safe than sorry with these things!

Just wanted to update everyone, got my X1 checked out today! Turns out you were spot on. The mechanic found a corroded sensor connection and fixed it up. Had a bit of a laugh because I was imagining the worst possible scenario, but it was such a simple fix. Total cost came to about 120 for parts and labor, plus they topped up my coolant. A bit more than what you paid, but still way better than what I was expecting. The whole thing took about two hours, and I used that time to catch up on some work at a nearby cafe. The best part? Both warning lights are now off, and the engine's running perfectly. The mechanic also did a quick check of the entire cooling system just to be safe, everything else looked good. Really glad I didn't put this off any longer. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me avoid panicking and gave me a good idea of what to expect. Guess these BMWs like to keep us on our toes with their sensor issues!