Malfunctions and repairs
Over the course of its existence, the BMW brand has earned a reputation as a reliable manufacturer. But for a Bavarian brand car to work like a clock, it needs careful care and timely maintenance. If this does not happen, then the BMW will immediately show its weak points to the owner, malfunctions will appear that will first require repair.
Main problems and malfunctions of BMW
On some BMW models, older than the 90s, there is a problem with the operation of the airbags. Before starting the engine, the on-board computer displays an error, and after a few seconds it disappears from the screen on its own.
This phenomenon is associated with incorrect operation of the passenger weight sensor, or a weak clock spring. If this error is not corrected in time, then in an accident there is a chance that the airbags will not work.
Often, the proprietary acoustic system from BMW fails. This breakdown is associated with a faulty iDrive. After starting the acoustic system, it goes into reboot mode and remains in it until the power is turned off.
The only way to fix this problem is to replace the iDrive or re-flash it (most often, updating the iDrive does not help to fix the problem).
Another common problem with BMW cars is related to the on-board computer, which displays the “Service Engine Soon” error even at the slightest malfunction of the internal combustion engine (for example, an unsuitable fuel tank cap, or a transmission error when shifting gears).
But you absolutely cannot ignore it, since it is possible that the problem can be much more serious. And you can find out why the “Service Engine Soon” sensor lit up by connecting the car to an OBD-2 scanner (the conjugation connector is located under the dashboard).
Also, on many BMW models, the Bavarian manufacturer uses low-quality plastic to make consumables. One of the striking examples is the fittings that are part of the cooling system.
After several months of operation, they become unusable and begin to crumble, causing a leak of antifreeze, or, even worse, hindering its flow through the system. But replacing the fittings is not an expensive repair, which simplifies the situation a little.
Well, the most common problem with German cars is the incorrect operation of the BST sensor. The BST sensor is a protective device designed to disconnect the positive terminal of the car from the battery. It is activated in an accident, stopping the current supply to the battery.
But sometimes the BST is triggered even when you hit a hole hard. And this is fraught with problems with further starting the engine. After all, you can reset the error due to the BST triggering only with a special scanner that cancels the on-board computer codes.