BMW X5 Temperature Issues, Cooling Grille Problems?

Hey there! I had a pretty similar issue with my 2017 BMW X3 last year (I'm a casual DIYer with some basic experience). The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I experienced. After puzzling over it for a while, my trusted mechanic found it was actually just a blown fuse controlling the cooling system sensors. Cost me 52 Euro for the diagnosis and replacement, much cheaper than I'd feared! What's the mileage on your X5? Also, have you noticed any coolant leaks or unusual engine behavior besides the temp readings? This info would help determine if you're dealing with the same thing I did. For reference, I also own a BMW X1, and these models can sometimes share similar electrical quirks. Let me know these details, and I might be able to point you in the right direction.

Thanks for your response! My X5 has 82531 KM on the odometer. Actually, I haven't noticed any coolant leaks, but the car's been serviced regularly, last time was just about three weeks ago. The temp fluctuations started happening right after that service, which is kind of suspicious. I've kept an eye under the car and haven't spotted any puddles or drips, but that fuse issue you mentioned sounds promising, definitely cheaper than what I was imagining! Did your temp gauge also jump around before you got it fixed? Might try checking the fuses before taking it back to the shop.

Hey again! Yeah, that's exactly what happened with my X3, the temp gauge was going crazy, jumping up and down out of nowhere. It started right after a routine service too, which is such a weird coincidence! The similarities between our situations are pretty striking. Actually, I forgot to mention in my first reply, before discovering it was the fuse, I wasted a bunch of time checking the cooling grille like you initially suspected. But nope, that wasn't it at all. The fuse box is way easier to check than messing with the grille, trust me. Given your mileage and the timing after the service, I'd definitely start with the fuses. You can find the right one in the manual, it's super straightforward. When I changed mine, the temp readings stabilized immediately and the check engine light went off within a couple of start cycles. A quick tip though, if you're going to check the fuses yourself, grab a few spares of the right amp rating. I learned that the hard way when I had to make two trips to get parts! Let me know if you need any specific guidance on which fuse to check, I've still got my notes from when I fixed mine.

Thanks so much for the detailed advice! This really puts my mind at ease. I'll definitely check those fuses first, way better than diving straight into more complex repairs. Just ordered a pack of the right fuses online, and I've got my manual ready to locate the correct one. Really appreciate you mentioning about the temp readings stabilizing after your fix, that's exactly what I'm hoping for with mine. You've probably saved me a ton of time and money here. I was seriously stressing about potential major repairs, so finding out it might just be a simple fuse issue is such a relief. I'll give it a shot this weekend and update you on how it goes. Thanks again for sharing your experience!