BMW X7 Glow Plug Warning: Fix Your Cold Start Issues

Hey there! I faced a similar issue with my BMW X5 35d (2017) last year. When my glow plug light stayed on, it turned out two of the glow plugs were completely shot, and one was working intermittently. The control module was also affected, which explained the error code. It was definitely a serious problem that needed immediate attention, as continuing to drive with faulty glow plugs can lead to hard starts, poor performance, and potential engine damage. The repair involved replacing all six glow plugs (best to do them all at once) and the control module. The job took about 4-5 hours at the garage. After the fix, starting improved dramatically, especially on cold mornings, and the battery stopped working overtime during starts. My advice? Don't put this off. While glow plug issues might seem minor, they can snowball into bigger problems. Get it checked by a certified BMW technician who can properly diagnose and fix both the glow plugs and any related electrical issues.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful. I've got my X7 booked in for next week, and your explanation sounds exactly like what I'm experiencing. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the full repair? And has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other issues popping up? I want to make sure I budget properly and know what to expect.

Hey again! Glad I could help earlier! So, I ended up paying 440 € for the complete repair, which turned out to be pretty reasonable considering the work involved. Since getting it fixed, my X5 has been running like a dream, honestly, it's like having a different car! The cold starts are super smooth now, and I haven't had a single glow plug warning light come on since. It was definitely worth every penny getting it sorted. The battery's not struggling anymore during starts, and the engine feels much more responsive, especially on those chilly mornings. I really noticed the difference in how much quicker and smoother the engine fires up. No other issues have cropped up since the repair, so I'd say once you get it fixed properly, you should be good to go. Just make sure your mechanic checks the control module too, that was key in my case. Hope your repair goes as smoothly as mine did! Let me know how it turns out for you!

Thanks so much for all the details! Just got back from the mechanic today, and wow, what a difference! Total bill came to around 480 €, bit more than yours but still worth every penny. The mechanic found exactly what you mentioned, bad glow plugs and a wonky control module. He showed me the old parts, and they were completely shot. No wonder my car was struggling! Now it starts up instantly, even this morning when it was pretty cold. The battery's not working nearly as hard, and that annoying warning light is finally gone. Really appreciate your help on this. Was honestly worried about getting ripped off again, but your experience helped me know what to expect. Car's running better than it has in months. Feels good to have this sorted finally! Thanks again for steering me in the right direction with this!