BMW X5 Diesel Won't Start: AdBlue Tank Empty Alert Fix

Hey there! I've got some experience with diesels and had a similar issue with my 2016 BMW X3 diesel last year. The symptoms were exactly like yours. Initially thought it was just low AdBlue, but turned out the line from the tank to the dosing unit was faulty. My trusted workshop diagnosed and fixed it, cost me around 250 Euro. They had to replace a section of the line and recalibrate the system. Have you checked if adding AdBlue helps? If not, might be the same problem I had. These systems can be tricky on BMWs (had a 5-series before this one too). What's your mileage and when was the last AdBlue refill? This info would help figure out if you're facing the same issue.

Thanks for the detailed response! I've only done 24140 KM since I got the car, with the latest service completed just a couple months back. Never actually had to deal with AdBlue before, so this is new territory for me. Good to know about that potential line issue, definitely gives me something specific to ask the workshop about. Did you notice any warning signs before your car completely refused to start? Also, how long did the repair take in your case? Really appreciate the help!

Hey again! Thanks for the follow-up. Yeah, with your relatively low mileage, it's probably not just a simple AdBlue level issue like I initially thought. Looking back at my situation, I did notice some warning signs before the complete shutdown. About a week before my X3 refused to start, I got intermittent warning messages about the AdBlue system. Initially, they would come and go, which I stupidly ignored (learned my lesson there!). The messages became more frequent until finally, the car wouldn't start at all. The repair at my workshop took about 4-5 hours total. They needed time to diagnose the exact problem first, then replace the faulty line and run system checks. The most time-consuming part was actually waiting for the system to recalibrate after the repair. Since you're dealing with this early on and your car is newer than mine was, you might have better luck. Could even be something simpler. But definitely mention the line issue to your workshop, might save them some diagnostic time. These BMW diesel systems can be finicky, but once fixed, they usually run smooth for ages. Keep us posted on what they find!

Thanks so much for all this info, it's super helpful! Those warning signs you mentioned are exactly what I experienced too. Looking back, I did get some intermittent messages last week but didn't think much of it. Guess I made the same mistake of ignoring them! 4-5 hours for the repair doesn't sound too bad. I'll definitely mention the line issue when I take it in tomorrow. Really glad I asked here first, at least now I won't go in completely clueless about what might be wrong. Going to make sure they check both the AdBlue level and that line connection. You're right about these systems being finicky. I'll update the thread once I get it sorted. Thanks again for sharing your experience, saved me a lot of worry about what I might be dealing with!