BMW X4 Check Engine + Coolant Warning: Common Causes

Hey there! I have some experience working on BMWs. I actually dealt with something very similar on my 2017 BMW X3 last year. Had the same warnings pop up, engine light and coolant temp. Initially thought it was just low coolant too, but turned out to be a faulty wiring connection to the coolant temperature sensor. My regular workshop fixed it by replacing the damaged wiring and connections. Cost me around 95 Euro for the repair. Could be different in your case though. What's your current coolant level like? Have you noticed any coolant leaks or unusual engine behavior? Also, would be helpful to know the specific error code you're getting. Let me know and I might be able to share more relevant details from my experience.

Thanks for your detailed reply. Just checked and my coolant level is actually fine, no visible leaks either. Mileage is currently at 147830 KM and last service was about 2 months ago. The error code I'm getting is P0217. The engine runs smoothly otherwise, no overheating or rough idle. Though I've noticed the temp gauge occasionally fluctuates while driving. Haven't done anything yet as I wanted to understand potential causes first. Your sensor wiring issue is interesting, definitely worth checking out. Would you recommend having this looked at ASAP or is it safe to drive for a few days?

Hey again! Thanks for the additional details about your X4. When you mentioned the P0217 code and temperature gauge fluctuation, it immediately reminded me of what I experienced. My X3 also had normal coolant levels when this happened, just like yours. The temperature gauge fluctuation is exactly what tipped off my mechanic to check the wiring, apparently, it's a common issue in these models. The damaged wiring was causing irregular readings, making the ECU think there was an engine temp problem when there wasn't. While my repair was fairly straightforward, I wouldn't recommend driving it too long without getting it checked. I drove mine for about 2 days before the repair, but honestly, that was probably pushing it. Even though your engine seems to be running fine, these symptoms could indicate other issues that might get worse if ignored. Since your last service was only 2 months ago, maybe give them a call? They might have noticed something during the service that could be related. My repair took just a couple of hours once they identified the problem, so it's worth getting it sorted sooner rather than later. Better safe than sorry with these sensor issues, they can sometimes mask bigger problems. Let me know what you find out, I'm curious if it turns out to be the same wiring issue I had!

Thanks so much for the thorough advice! You've really put my mind at ease about the potential cause. I just called my service center and they can squeeze me in tomorrow morning, figured it's better to be safe than sorry, especially after what you shared about your experience. The similarity between our issues is striking, and I'm actually hoping it's just the wiring like in your case. The fact that your repair was relatively quick and straightforward gives me hope that I won't be facing anything too major. I'm really glad I asked here first, your firsthand experience with almost identical symptoms has been super helpful. Will definitely report back on what they find. If it ends up being the same wiring problem, that would be quite the coincidence! Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience and for encouraging me to get it checked out promptly. Really appreciate the help!