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MatthiasSchnider92
BMW Warning Lights Chaos: Cruise Control Dead
4 comment(s)
MatthiasSchnider92 (Author)
Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful to know about the steering angle sensor. I've been worried it might be something more serious and expensive. Did you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also, has everything stayed working properly since they fixed it, or have you noticed any other electrical gremlins popping up?
gerhardfox1
Hey there! Just wanted to follow up on your questions. Yeah, everything has been working perfectly since I got it fixed, especially the cruise control, which was my main annoyance. It's such a relief not seeing those warning lights anymore! The total bill came to 95 € for fixing the cable and plug connection issue. Pretty reasonable considering I was worried it might be something way more expensive. The mechanic showed me the corroded pins they found, it's amazing how such a small thing can cause so many warning lights to go crazy! Haven't had a single electrical problem since the repair was done last year. All the steering wheel buttons work perfectly now, and the cruise control is as good as new. Honestly, it was one of those repairs where you kick yourself for not doing it sooner. If you're experiencing the same symptoms, I'd definitely recommend getting those connections checked first before worrying about more serious issues. These BMWs can be dramatic with their warning lights, but sometimes the fix is simpler than you'd expect!
MatthiasSchnider92 (Author)
Just wanted to update everyone, took my car to a new mechanic yesterday based on this advice. You were spot on! The mechanic found exactly what you described, corroded connections under the steering wheel. Had some water damage from a small leak that I hadn't noticed. They cleaned everything up, replaced a few damaged wires, and sealed it properly. Bill came to just under 120 for parts and labor. Much better than I was expecting! All the warning lights are gone now, cruise control works perfectly, and my steering wheel buttons are responsive again. Such a relief it wasn't anything major. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction, saved me from possibly spending way more at a dealership. The car's running like a charm now, feels like I've got a new vehicle!
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gerhardfox1
I had almost identical issues with my BMW 120d (2008) last year. From my experience at the repair shop, this combination of warning lights typically points to a faulty steering angle sensor or its wiring connection. The cruise control and steering wheel button failures are connected to this because everything runs through the same control module. In my case, the technician found corroded pins in the connection plug under the steering wheel. Some moisture had gotten in there over time. The fix wasn't particularly complex, they cleaned the connections and replaced the damaged sensor plug. It wasn't a serious mechanical issue, more of an electrical gremlin that's fairly common in these models. The car has been running perfectly since then, no warning lights or cruise control problems. I'd suggest having a qualified BMW specialist check the steering angle sensor connections first before replacing any major components. Best to diagnose it properly rather than just throwing parts at it.