BMW X4 Wiper System Failure, Solutions and Repair Tips

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2016 BMW X3 last winter, and I have some experience working on cars (though I'm no expert). The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I dealt with. In my case, it turned out to be a faulty connection in the wiring harness that controls the wipers. My trusted mechanic discovered that water had gotten into one of the plugs, causing corrosion. The fix involved replacing the damaged connector and cable. Total cost was around 95 Euro, and it solved the problem completely. Before jumping to conclusions about the relay though, I'd need to know: Are you getting any specific error messages on the dashboard? Did this happen suddenly or gradually? Have you noticed any other electrical issues? Also, does the washer fluid pump still work when you try to spray? This could help narrow down whether it's a wiring issue or something else. Let me know these details and I might be able to help further!

Thanks for the detailed response! I've got 12361 KM on my X4, and just had it serviced last month. Yeah, this happened completely out of the blue yesterday. The error message says "Check wiper system," and nope, the washer fluid pump isn't working either. Everything else electrical seems fine though, no other issues I've noticed. Your wiring harness tip is really helpful, especially since we've had some heavy rains lately. Might be worth checking that first before I go replacing parts. Would it be okay if I reach out to you again after getting it checked?

Hey again! I'm really glad I can help out with your wiper issue. After seeing your response about the washer fluid pump not working either, I'm even more convinced it could be similar to what I experienced with my X3. Those symptoms are spot on! The fact that it happened suddenly and right after heavy rains really points to water intrusion, just like my case. When my wipers failed, I initially thought it was the relay too, but the mechanic showed me how water had gotten into the connection point and caused corrosion. Looking back, I'm glad I didn't waste money replacing parts that weren't the issue. Since your car is a 2018 model with relatively low mileage, it would be unusual for the relay itself to fail. The wiring harness issue is a known weak point in these BMWs, trust me, I learned this the hard way! Of course you can reach out again after getting it checked! I'd be really interested to know if it turns out to be the same problem. Just make sure whoever looks at it checks those connections thoroughly, there's a specific connector under the hood that's particularly vulnerable to water damage. Quick tip from my experience: while you're waiting to get it checked, try to park under cover if possible to prevent any additional water exposure.

Thanks so much, this is super helpful! You're right about getting it properly checked first, definitely don't want to waste money replacing parts unnecessarily. I've already called my mechanic and managed to get an appointment for tomorrow. I mentioned the wiring harness issue you talked about, and he agreed it's worth checking first, especially given the recent rain. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, it's given me a much better idea of what to look for. I'll definitely keep the car covered until then and will update you once I know what's going on. It's such a relief to hear from someone who's dealt with the same problem and got it sorted without breaking the bank!