BMW X6 Diesel Glow Plug Issues: Starting and Battery Woes

Hey there! I've got some experience with cars, and I had a very similar issue with my 2018 BMW X5 diesel a few months back. Those symptoms sound exactly like what I went through! My glow plugs were acting up, and yeah, it was a real pain getting it started in cold weather. Took it to my regular workshop, and they diagnosed a faulty glow plug in cylinder 2. The whole job, including diagnosis and replacement, came to about 440 Euro. Worth every penny though, car starts like a dream now. If you're facing something similar with your X6, could you share: Which cylinder is showing the error code? How long does it take to start in cold weather? Any other warning lights on the dash? Sounds like we're dealing with the same issue, but these details would help confirm it. Stay in touch!

Thanks for sharing your experience! My X6 has just 5380 KM from my latest service, so this issue caught me off guard. The error code points to cylinder 3, and it takes about 4-5 attempts to start in cold conditions. Only the glow plug light stays on, no other warning lights. Your repair cost sounds reasonable. I'll definitely get it checked out at the workshop this week. Good to know it's likely a straightforward fix like in your case!

Hey again! Thanks for those details about your X6. Yeah, that's really similar to what I dealt with on my X5. It's definitely frustrating when these issues pop up right after service, right? My car was also fairly fresh from service when it happened (around 6000 KM), and mine was cylinder 2 instead of your cylinder 3, but otherwise, the symptoms match up perfectly. I remember it taking multiple attempts to start too, super annoying on cold mornings! Just to share a bit more from my experience, after they replaced my faulty glow plug, they also ran a thorough check on the other plugs and the control module. Might be worth asking your workshop to do the same, just to prevent any similar issues with the other cylinders down the line. The fix really is straightforward, my car was in and out of the workshop in about 2 hours. Just make sure they use original BMW parts. I learned that some aftermarket ones don't last as long. Let me know how it goes at the workshop! Always good to compare notes with fellow BMW owners dealing with the same issues.

Thanks so much for the detailed advice! Really appreciate you sharing those extra details about your repair experience. I'll definitely ask them to check all the glow plugs and the control module, makes total sense to prevent future headaches. I've already called my workshop and booked it in for tomorrow morning. You're right about using original BMW parts too, I won't cheap out on this repair. I was worried this might be something more serious, but you've put my mind at ease. I'll update the thread once it's fixed in case anyone else runs into the same problem. Thanks again for all your help!

hi guys. my diagnosis says DDE: glow plug 1,2,5 activation. no idea what that means error code 004222

(Translated from German)

The error code 004222 indicates an issue with the activation of glow plugs 1, 2, and 5. This could mean there's a problem with the glow plugs themselves or the glow plug control module. I recommend starting by checking the connections and wiring to these glow plugs for any signs of damage or corrosion. If everything looks fine, it might be necessary to test the glow plugs and the control module to ensure they're functioning correctly. If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, it's best to have a professional mechanic take a look. Let me know how it goes or if you have any further questions!

Hi, I recently changed all the glow plugs and the glow time control unit, now it's giving all 6 cylinders a glow plug control error

(Translated from German)

Double-check the connections to ensure they are secure and properly seated. It's possible that a connection issue or a faulty new control unit could be causing the error. If the connections are fine, consider resetting the error codes and see if they reappear. If the problem persists, it might be worth revisiting the installation or consulting with a professional to ensure everything is correctly installed. Let me know if you need further assistance!