Rain Sensor Chaos: BMW i5's Multiple Electrical Failures

I had a similar issue with my 2021 BMW iX3 last month. The symptoms were nearly identical, rain sensor malfunction, auto headlights not working, and dimming issues. Turned out there were bubbles forming under the gel pad where the sensor sits on the windshield. This was causing false readings and electrical malfunctions. The repair wasn't just a simple sensor replacement. The technician had to remove the old gel pad, clean the entire mounting area, and install a new sensor unit with fresh adhesive gel. They also had to recalibrate the entire system. It was quite serious since these sensors are integrated with multiple safety systems. The bubbles were apparently caused by heat exposure and age, which damaged the gel pad's adhesive properties. If you're getting similar error codes, it's likely the same issue. Make sure you get someone who knows BMW's electrical systems well, it's not a job for a general mechanic.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience with the sensor issue! That's really helpful, as I think I'm dealing with the exact same problem. Since you mentioned the repairs on your iX3, how much did they charge you in the end? Also, curious to know if everything's been working smoothly since the fix or if you've had any other quirks pop up? Always good to know what to expect!

Hey there! Just wanted to update you on my iX3 sensor situation. After getting it fixed, I'm happy to report everything's working perfectly now, no more glitches with the rain sensor or any other weird electrical issues. The total bill came to 62 Euro for fixing those pesky bubbles under the gel pad, which honestly wasn't as bad as I expected. They did a thorough job cleaning everything up and putting in the new adhesive. The best part is all the automatic features are back to normal, rain sensor's doing its thing, auto headlights work like a charm, and the dimming's spot on. It's such a relief not having those error messages pop up anymore! Makes me wish I'd gotten it sorted sooner. Just make sure you find a mechanic who knows their stuff with BMW electronics, it makes all the difference.

Thanks for all those details! I actually went ahead and got mine fixed yesterday. What a relief! The mechanic I found was great, really knew his BMW systems inside and out. Funny enough, they found exactly what you described, those pesky bubbles under the gel pad. Had to get the whole sensor assembly cleaned and recalibrated. Cost me a bit more than yours though, must be the newer model tax! But honestly, it was worth every penny. The car's running like new again, rain sensor's perfect, headlights come on exactly when they should, and that annoying error code is finally gone. Such a weight off my mind! You were spot on about finding the right mechanic. Actually found a really good one through a local BMW enthusiast group. Way better than my last experience. Thanks again for helping me figure this out, saved me from a lot of potential headaches and probably some money too!