BMW XM Electric Fan Issue Causing Engine Overheating?

Hey there! I have some experience with BMWs and faced a similar issue with my 2021 BMW X6 (also had an X5 before). I literally had the same symptoms, engine overheating and limp mode. Turned out the cooling fan wasn't engaging properly due to a faulty wiring connection. My trusted mechanic found that some cables going to the fan module were loose and corroded. The fix wasn't too complex, they replaced the wiring harness and checked all connections. Cost me around 95 Euro and solved the problem completely. Before I can give more specific advice, could you share: Are you hearing the fan running at all? When did you first notice the problem? Has anyone worked on the cooling system recently? These details would help me understand if you're dealing with the same issue I had.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My XM has 179134 KM on the clock and was just serviced last month. I do hear the fan running occasionally, but it seems inconsistent. The problem started about a week ago when I was stuck in heavy traffic. No recent work has been done on the cooling system, though. Your wiring issue sounds similar to what I might be experiencing. I noticed the fan seems to work intermittently, especially when the engine's hot. Did your X6's fan also work on and off before the repair? I'll definitely have the mechanic check the wiring connections first before replacing any major parts.

Hey again! Yes, that sounds exactly like what I experienced with my X6! The intermittent fan operation was a clear sign, mine would work out of nowhere too, especially when the engine was hot. It's actually quite typical for these BMW cooling fans to have wiring issues around that mileage. What really caught my attention is that your problem started in traffic, that's exactly how mine began too! When you're idling, the fan becomes crucial since there's no airflow through the radiator from driving. The fact that you can hear it sometimes means the fan itself is probably fine, just like in my case. I'd bet good money you're dealing with the same corroded wiring connection I had. The heat cycles in the engine bay eventually take their toll on the wiring. Mine would work fine for a while, then suddenly stop, which matches what you're describing. Quick tip from my experience, while you're waiting to get it fixed, try to avoid sitting in traffic with the engine running for too long. That's when these symptoms tend to get worse. Let me know what your mechanic finds, I'm curious if it turns out to be the same issue. These BMWs are great cars, but they do have their quirks!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! That's super helpful, especially the tip about avoiding long idles. I've actually been taking alternate routes to avoid heavy traffic since the problem started. I'm feeling much more confident now that we've narrowed it down to a likely wiring issue rather than something more serious with the cooling system itself. I've scheduled an appointment with my mechanic for tomorrow morning. I'll make sure to specifically mention the wiring harness and connections to the fan module. It's such a relief knowing it might be a relatively straightforward fix like yours was, rather than having to replace the entire cooling system. I'll definitely update you once I get it sorted. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, it's helped me understand exactly what I might be dealing with. These modern BMWs are amazing machines, but you're right about them having their quirks! Thanks again for all your help.