BMW X1 Water Sensor Issues, Solutions and Costs

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2017 BMW X3 last year. The check engine light came on, and the engine was running rough just like yours. My mechanic found it was indeed the water sensor, but the real culprit was actually a faulty wiring connection to the sensor, not the sensor itself. Got it fixed at my local workshop, and it set me back about 95 Euro. They basically had to repair the cable connection and clean the plug contacts. The whole thing took about an hour and a half, but it's been running smooth since then. Before I share more specific details, could you tell me your current mileage and whether you've noticed any other symptoms? Also, have you had any recent work done on the car? This info would help me give you more relevant advice based on my experience with the X3. Hope this helps!

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! My X1 has 46563 KM on the clock, and I just had my regular service done last month. That's really interesting about the wiring being the culprit rather than the sensor itself. Haven't noticed any other weird symptoms besides the rough running. It's helpful to know it might not be as expensive as I feared. Did you notice any warning signs before your check engine light came on? I'm curious if I missed something that could have warned me earlier.

Hey again! Yeah, those BMW sensors can be tricky! Actually, thinking back, I did notice a few small things before the check engine light popped up on my X3. The engine idle was slightly uneven for about a week or so, nothing major, just a tiny vibration that wasn't normal for my car. I ignored it at first (my bad!), thinking it was just the cold weather. Since you mentioned you just had your regular service done, I'd double-check if they might have accidentally disturbed any connections while doing the work. That's what happened in my case, turned out the mechanic had slightly knocked a wire loose while doing something else. These modern cars are so packed with electronics that it's super easy for this stuff to happen. 46K km isn't much at all, my issue happened at around 68K km. Once they fixed that wiring connection, it's been perfect. Just make sure whoever looks at it checks the whole wiring harness connected to the sensor, not just the sensor itself. Could save you some cash if it's the same issue I had. Let me know how it goes when you get it checked out. I'm curious if it's the same problem!

Thanks so much for all that detail! That's super helpful to know about the vibration, now that you mention it, I did notice a slight shake at idle about a week ago but didn't think much of it. I'll definitely mention the wiring possibility when I take it in. It makes total sense that something might have gotten knocked loose during the service, that timing seems too coincidental. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. I'll make sure they check the whole wiring setup before replacing any parts. Fingers crossed it's just a loose connection like yours was! I'll update the thread once I get it sorted out. Thanks again for your help!