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JohannaWeissFan
BMW X1 Key Symbol Mystery, Won't Start After Service
4 comment(s)
JohannaWeissFan (Author)
Thanks for sharing your experience! That control unit issue sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Finally got it fixed last week, had to get a new control unit too. The Hall sensor turned out to be fine after all. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? And has everything been working smoothly since then? My X1 seems okay now but I'm a bit paranoid about every little sound it makes!
FinnRider
Hey there! Glad to hear you got it sorted out! Yeah, these control unit issues can be really tricky. In my case, the total bill came to about 1000 € for the whole repair job, including the new unit and programming. Actually quite similar to what you probably paid, I guess. The good news is that since getting it fixed, my X3 has been running perfectly, no more key symbol issues or starting problems whatsoever. The Hall sensor part wasn't an issue for me either, just like in your case. You know how it is with these high-tech cars, sometimes the simplest problems can send you on a wild goose chase! Don't worry too much about being paranoid about the sounds, I was the same way for the first few weeks after the repair. But once you realize everything's working as it should, you'll get your confidence back. These BMWs are pretty solid once you get the electronics sorted out. Just keep up with regular maintenance and you should be fine!
JohannaWeissFan (Author)
Thanks for the reassurance! Yeah, you're right about the cost, I paid roughly the same. Just got back from my mechanic today after a minor oil change, and I have to say, I'm feeling much better about everything now. The car's running like a dream! Funny how we both jumped to conclusions about the Hall sensor when it was the control unit all along. Really glad I asked here and got your input, saved me from going down the wrong path with repairs. My experience at the mechanic was actually quite educational this time around. The guy explained everything step by step and even showed me the old control unit. The repair took about three days total, including all the programming and testing. Bit annoying to be without a car, but better than having ongoing issues! Thanks again for all your help. Think I'll stop obsessing over every little noise now and just enjoy driving my X1!
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FinnRider
I faced a similar issue with my 2012 BMW X3 28i last year. The key symbol appeared and the car wouldn't start. Initially thought it was just a dead key fob battery, but the problem persisted even with a new one. Took it to my mechanic and turns out the control unit for the key recognition system was defective. The unit had to be replaced and reprogrammed to sync with my keys. The repair wasn't just a quick fix, had to leave the car at the garage for two days since they needed special diagnostic equipment for BMW systems. Was definitely a serious issue since the car was completely immobilized. Based on your symptoms, it could be either the Hall sensor as you suspect, or the control unit like in my case. Since your mechanic recently worked on it, there's also a chance they might have accidentally damaged some connections. Would recommend getting a second opinion from a certified BMW specialist who has the proper diagnostic tools.