BMW X1 Glow Plug Issues? What You Need to Know

Hi there! I had almost identical issues with my 2017 BMW X3 20d last winter. The symptoms you're describing match what I experienced, glow plug light, check engine, and that nasty smoke on acceleration. Last time I was at the garage, they diagnosed a faulty cable connection at the glow plug control module. The insulation had worn down, causing intermittent connections. Some of the plugs weren't getting proper voltage. They had to replace the control module and rewire two of the glow plugs. Not a catastrophic issue, but definitely needs addressing before winter. Running with faulty glow plugs can lead to starting problems and could potentially damage your injectors. The repair took about 4 hours at the shop. If you're getting the same symptoms, I'd recommend having it checked soon. These issues typically don't fix themselves and tend to get worse over time. Hope this helps with your decision!

Hey, thanks a lot for sharing your experience! This is exactly what was happening to my X1. Your post was super helpful since it seems we had the same problem with the glow plug control module. I got it fixed last month and so far everything's working perfectly, no more smoke or warning lights. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much you paid for the repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since you got it fixed, or did you run into any other issues?

Hey there again! Glad I could help and happy to hear you got it sorted! Yes, my repair bill came to 95 €, mainly labor costs for fixing that pesky cable connection to the glow control unit. Pretty reasonable considering what it could have been! And you'll be pleased to know I haven't had a single issue since the repair. My X3 starts like a dream now, even on those chilly mornings. No more smoke clouds in my rearview mirror either! It's been about 8 months since the fix, and everything's still running perfectly smooth. It's such a relief when you finally get these things sorted, isn't it? Especially with these modern diesels, they can be a bit finicky with their electronics, but once you get them right, they're solid machines. Keep an eye on things, but I reckon you should be all set now. Feel free to give me a shout if anything else comes up!

Thanks for the follow-up! That's really reassuring to hear about your long-term success with the repair. Actually, my repair experience turned out pretty well too. Found this certified mechanic who really knew his stuff. The whole thing cost me around 120 €, bit more than yours but still fair considering they also cleaned up some corroded connections they found while in there. Took them about 3 hours total. Funny thing was, while I was waiting, I got chatting with another BMW owner in the shop who'd had exactly the same issue! Made me feel better about the whole thing. Shop even gave me some tips about preventive maintenance to avoid future problems. You're right about these diesels, they can be demanding, but they're worth it when properly maintained. Really appreciate all your help and advice on this. Made me feel much more confident about getting it sorted! The car's running like new now, so I'm one happy driver. Thanks again for sharing your experience!