BMW X2 Diesel: Glow Plug System Headaches and Solutions

I have some experience with cars, and I faced a similar issue with my 2020 BMW X1 diesel last winter. The symptoms were exactly like yours, glow plug light staying on and rough starts. Took it to my regular workshop and they found a loose connection in the wiring harness going to the glow plug control module. They fixed the cables and connectors, which solved all the problems, no more warning lights, smooth starts, and normal emissions. Total bill was 95 Euro, mostly labor costs. Have you checked if there are any error codes? Also, could you share your mileage and whether these issues started suddenly or gradually? This would help to confirm if we're dealing with the same problem.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the X1! I'm at 144393 KM and just had my service last month. The issues started quite suddenly about 2 weeks ago, especially noticeable when the temperature dropped. I ran a diagnostic scan and got error codes P0674 and P0683 which definitely point towards the glow plug system. Your wiring harness issue seems like a good lead, it's encouraging to hear it was a relatively simple fix in your case. Did your workshop have to replace any glow plugs while they were at it, or was it purely the wiring?

Yeah, actually when my workshop diagnosed my X1, they initially thought they might need to replace the glow plugs too, but turns out we got lucky, it was just the wiring. Those exact error codes you mentioned (P0674 and P0683) showed up on mine as well! The funny thing is, my issues also started right after a cold snap. The mechanic explained that temperature changes can sometimes expose weak points in the wiring, which is exactly what happened in my case. The connections had corroded a bit over time, and the cold weather just made it more noticeable. They did check all four glow plugs while they were in there, and they tested fine. The wiring harness was the only thing they needed to fix. Just a heads up though, they had to remove quite a few parts to access the harness properly, which is why it took a few hours of labor. Since you're seeing identical symptoms and codes, I'd bet you're dealing with the same issue. It's been about 8 months since my repair, and I haven't had any problems since. The car starts perfectly now, even in cold weather. If I were you, I'd definitely get those wires checked first before replacing any expensive parts.

That's really helpful info, especially about the wiring harness being the culprit in your case. My symptoms starting after the cold weather makes even more sense now. It's a relief to hear you didn't need to replace the glow plugs, I was worried this was going to turn into a major expensive repair. I've booked my car in for next week, and I'll definitely mention your experience with the wiring harness to my mechanic. Makes sense that they'll need some time to access everything properly, so I'll plan accordingly. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's the same straightforward fix as yours. Really appreciate you taking the time to share all the details, it's given me a much better idea of what to expect!