BMW X5 Overheating: Electric Fan Failure Symptoms & Fix

Hey there! I've got some experience with BMWs (low experience level). Had a similar issue with my 2005 BMW X3 last summer, and the symptoms sound familiar. When my car started overheating and going into limp mode, I took it to my trusted mechanic. Turned out the cooling fan wasn't spinning because of a faulty wiring connection, some cables had corroded and weren't making proper contact. The fix wasn't too complicated; they replaced the wiring harness and connections to the fan. Cost me about 95 Euro and solved the problem completely. Before I can provide more specific advice, could you share: Any unusual noises from the fan area? Does the fan spin at all when you start the car? Have you noticed any coolant leaks? Any other warning lights besides temperature? Also, have you checked out the 2007 BMW 3 Series? It's got similar cooling system components, so experiences with that model might be helpful too.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My X5 is at 83997 KM and just had its service last month. The fan does make a slight rattling noise before it stops spinning completely. I've noticed it's particularly bad when idling in warm weather. No coolant leaks that I can see, but I'm getting the engine temperature warning along with the check engine light. Your experience with the wiring harness issue is really helpful, might be worth checking that first before replacing the entire fan assembly. Did you notice any warning signs before your fan completely failed?

Hey again! Thanks for the follow-up. Yeah, those symptoms definitely sound similar to what I experienced with my X3. The rattling noise you're describing, that's exactly what I heard before my fan gave up completely! In my case, I ignored that rattling for about two weeks (not my smartest move, I'll admit). The noise got progressively worse, especially during idle, just like you mentioned. My fan actually did something interesting before it totally failed, it would work intermittently. Like, sometimes it would spin up normally when starting the car, other times it would make that rattling sound and then just stop. The temperature warnings started showing up more frequently during those last few days. One thing I learned from my experience, don't wait too long to get it checked out. I ended up having to pull over on a particularly warm day when the temperature gauge shot up. The wiring harness replacement was relatively straightforward and much cheaper than replacing the whole fan assembly. Since you mentioned your recent service, did they do any electrical system checks? Sometimes these issues can be related to the fan control module too, which is something they might have overlooked during routine maintenance. Let me know what you find out, really curious if it turns out to be the same issue as mine!

Thanks so much for all the details! That intermittent fan behavior you described sounds exactly like what I'm experiencing. Mine also works sometimes at startup but then gives up, especially during those warm idle periods. Really good to know about the potential progression of the problem, I definitely don't want to end up stranded on the road! I just checked my service records, and they only did the standard maintenance items last month, oil change, filters, and brake inspection. No electrical system checks were included. I'll call the shop tomorrow and schedule an appointment specifically for the fan issue. Will definitely ask them to check both the wiring harness and the fan control module based on your experience. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your story. You've probably saved me from a much bigger headache (and expense) by helping me catch this early. Will update once I get it sorted out!