BMW iX Windshield Heater Fails: EV Owner Seeks Solutions

Hi there! I faced a similar issue with my 2018 BMW i4 eDrive40 last winter. The windshield heating problems were actually connected to a failing battery management system. Initially thought it was just the heating element, but the diagnostic revealed the battery was heavily discharged and couldn't provide enough power to the auxiliary systems. Had to take it to a certified EV specialist who discovered that several cells in the battery pack were deteriorating faster than normal. This was causing voltage fluctuations that affected multiple systems, including the windshield heating. It was quite serious as it could have led to complete battery failure if left unchecked. The fix involved recalibrating the battery management system and replacing the problematic cells. While the car was in the shop, they also updated the control software which helped optimize power distribution to the auxiliary systems. Since the repair, the windshield heating has worked flawlessly. I'd strongly recommend getting this checked by a certified BMW EV technician rather than a general mechanic, as these systems are quite complex and interconnected in electric vehicles. Hope this helps with your decision.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the battery management system issue. Really helpful to know it wasn't just the heating element itself. My problem sounds quite similar to what you've described. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much the whole repair set you back? And has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other quirks popping up?

Hey again! Yes, absolutely happy to share more details! After getting it fixed, everything has been running perfectly, not just the windshield heating but also the rear window heating that I hadn't even realized wasn't working properly before. The whole repair cost me 290 € for the battery management system issue, which honestly wasn't as bad as I'd initially feared. I've put about 15,000 km on the car since the repair and haven't experienced any other problems. The power distribution seems much more stable now, and all the heating systems are working like they should. It was definitely worth getting it sorted by the certified tech, they really knew what they were doing with these electric systems. One thing I've learned from this is that when these EVs start showing heating issues, it's usually pointing to something bigger with the power management. Better to get it checked early than wait for more problems to show up. My car feels like new now, and I'm actually pretty relieved I got it sorted when I did. Let me know if you end up getting yours checked, would be interesting to hear if it's the same issue!

Just wanted to update you all on what happened with my BMW iX. I took your advice and went to a certified BMW EV specialist. Turns out you were spot on, it was indeed a battery management system issue! The technician was really knowledgeable and found the problem straight away. The repair cost me a bit more than yours, around 350 €, but totally worth it. They fixed the battery management system and did a complete software update. The windshield heating now works perfectly, and I've noticed the car's overall performance has improved too. The mechanic was great at explaining everything. They showed me how the power distribution wasn't working properly before, which was causing the heating problems. The whole repair took about a day and a half, but they gave me a loaner car, so it wasn't a hassle at all. Thanks again for your help, really glad I didn't waste time with a general mechanic. It's been two weeks since the fix, and everything's running smoothly. Definitely the right decision to get it checked early!