BMW X5 Wipers Gone Rogue, Electrical Switch Mystery

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2019 BMW X3 last year. The unusual wiper activation and complete failure to respond were exactly what I experienced too. Initially thought it was just the switch, but turned out the wiring harness connection to the wiper motor had corroded and was making intermittent contact. The mechanic found that moisture had gotten into the connector, causing oxidation. They had to clean the connection points and replace a section of the harness where the insulation had degraded. It wasn't a super expensive fix, but it needed immediate attention since faulty wipers can be dangerous in bad weather. My advice: get it checked soon. A bad connection can sometimes fry the wiper motor if left too long, and that's definitely something you want to avoid. The error code is actually helpful here, it helped pinpoint the issue faster in my case. The whole repair took about 2 hours and has been working perfectly since. Just make sure to go to a shop that's familiar with BMW electrical systems.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful since it sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. The corroded wiring harness definitely makes sense with the symptoms. Would you mind sharing how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also, has everything stayed working properly since then, or have you noticed any other electrical quirks popping up? I'm planning to take it in next week, so any extra info would really help me avoid getting overcharged. A 2-hour job sounds much better than what I was worried about!

Hey again! Good news, I can update you on my experience with the repair. The wiper switch issue was completely fixed after my mechanic visit, and I haven't had a single problem since. The repair turned out to be exactly what we suspected, a faulty cable connection that needed fixing. Total cost was 95 €, which included both parts and labor. Actually pretty reasonable for a BMW repair! Regarding other electrical issues, nope, everything's been running smoothly. Not a single quirk since the repair, which is great. The wipers work perfectly now, no more unusual activations or failures. Two hours was plenty of time for them to sort it out, so if any shop quotes you significantly more time, I'd definitely question that. Just make sure they know BMWs well, these electrical issues can be tricky if you don't know what you're looking for. Hope this helps with your repair next week! Let us know how it goes.

Just wanted to update everyone on what happened with my wiper situation. Finally got it fixed yesterday and thought I'd share my experience. The mechanic found exactly what we discussed, a corroded wiring connection! Got really lucky with my new mechanic. He was super straightforward and showed me the damaged parts. The whole thing only took about an hour and a half, and the final bill came to roughly 120 bucks. Honestly, I was expecting much worse given it's a BMW. The best part? The wipers are working perfectly now. No more unusual movements or complete failures. Such a relief not having to worry about them acting up anymore, especially since I've been caught in some bad weather lately. Thanks again for the advice. You really helped me avoid getting ripped off, and I knew exactly what to expect when I went in. Sometimes these car issues aren't as complicated (or expensive) as we fear!