BMW i3 Washer Pump Failure, Quick DIY Check Guide

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2015 BMW i8 Hybrid last winter. My washer fluid warning light came on, and even after filling up the reservoir, the pump wouldn't work. Initially thought it was just frozen fluid, but that wasn't the case. Turned out the pump motor had failed, it's a common wear item after lots of use. My technician found that some debris had gotten into the system and damaged the pump. It wasn't a major repair, just needed a new pump unit. Not nearly as scary as I first thought. Before taking it to a shop, check these quick things: Make sure the reservoir actually has fluid (sometimes sensors fail), Listen for the pump motor when you activate it, Check for any visible cracks in the reservoir The repair was straightforward, about an hour of labor. Would've been a pain to fix myself since accessing the pump required removing some trim pieces. It's definitely worth getting it fixed properly to avoid windshield visibility issues.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! I actually just had this fixed on my i3 a couple months ago. Mine turned out to be a faulty pump too, and your advice about checking for debris was spot on. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you paid for the whole repair? Also, has everything been working smoothly since then? Just want to make sure I don't run into any other related issues down the line.

Hey again! Glad I could help with the washer pump issue! After taking my i8 to the mechanic last time, everything's been working perfectly, no more washer fluid warnings or problems. Such a relief! For my repair, I paid around 25 € for fixing the low washer fluid level issue. It was actually much cheaper than I expected, especially compared to some other BMW repairs I've had. The mechanic just needed to top up the fluid and clear the warning code. The pump's been working like a charm since then, no problems at all. My advice would be to keep an eye on the fluid level and maybe do a quick check every month or so just to prevent any debris build-up. It's one of those small maintenance things that's worth staying on top of. Hope this helps ease your mind about potential future issues! Let me know if you need any other info about the i8's quirks, always happy to share what I've learned.

Thanks for the detailed follow-up! Since my last message, I actually went ahead and got it fixed at a different mechanic. You won't believe what a hassle it turned out to be! The new guy found not just a faulty pump, but also a split in one of the hoses that previous mechanics had missed. The whole repair came to €180, including parts and labor. More than I expected, but at least they did a thorough job. The mechanic was super professional, showed me all the damaged parts and explained everything clearly. Such a different experience from my last repair shop! Everything's working perfectly now, no more warning lights or issues. Feels good to finally have it sorted properly. Thanks again for your help earlier, it gave me the confidence to get a second opinion instead of going back to my old mechanic. Sometimes spending a bit more for quality service is worth it!