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      12-07-2012, 09:05 AM   #1
umbroumbro
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Washer fluid low warning on Cold Morning

Every cold morning recently, if the outside temp below 37 then I got the temp warning light and followed by the washer fluid low warning light.

In the Noon and evening, when temp above 37, all system check OK. very annoying, I did top off the fluid using Rain-X and the car is only two weeks old. If there is leak, the warning light should always on, but it did not on all the time, only on cold morning.

Any one has similar problem ?
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      12-07-2012, 11:47 AM   #2
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what does the light look like?
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      12-07-2012, 12:25 PM   #3
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I have the same issue. I live in a cold climate (-4F this morning), and am getting the same warning message on a daily basis. I've topped my fluid off to the brim, but the warning light persists, although not all the time. I'll mention it to the dealer the next time I'm in for service, but would be interested to hear from others who have encountered this issue, any fixes, etc.

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Originally Posted by umbroumbro View Post
Every cold morning recently, if the outside temp below 37 then I got the temp warning light and followed by the washer fluid low warning light.

In the Noon and evening, when temp above 37, all system check OK. very annoying, I did top off the fluid using Rain-X and the car is only two weeks old. If there is leak, the warning light should always on, but it did not on all the time, only on cold morning.

Any one has similar problem ?
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      12-07-2012, 12:35 PM   #4
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I got this... I topped off the fluid and it went away.
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      12-07-2012, 12:35 PM   #5
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Same issue here + squealing brakes when cold. I had the car at the dealer for installation of the engine heater (+interior fan and battery charger) and mentioned these two things for them to investigate.

When I picked the car up they said they couldn't find a fault but had been in contact with BMW who said that these are known problems in cold weather and they are being investigated for a fix. No timetable available.

They're not big things but I am still quite annoyed. To top it off, the technician who installed the engine heater forgot to cut a tie strap (holding new cabling in place) so it's now pointed straight into the cooling fan making the car rattle like a cheap trabant.
Going back to the dealer again next week.

Not pleased. At all.
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      12-07-2012, 01:16 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by umbroumbro
Every cold morning recently, if the outside temp below 37 then I got the temp warning light and followed by the washer fluid low warning light.

In the Noon and evening, when temp above 37, all system check OK. very annoying, I did top off the fluid using Rain-X and the car is only two weeks old. If there is leak, the warning light should always on, but it did not on all the time, only on cold morning.

Any one has similar problem ?
Same issue here. And my washer fluid tank is full.
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      12-07-2012, 03:11 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marseille82 View Post
Same issue here. And my washer fluid tank is full.
Glad to know I am not alone.....
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      12-07-2012, 04:54 PM   #8
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May be the fluid is freezing. Did you put the ones for -32F.
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      12-07-2012, 07:39 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hayir
May be the fluid is freezing. Did you put the ones for -32F.
Well I had the dealer fill mine so I suppose.
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      12-07-2012, 07:43 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hayir View Post
May be the fluid is freezing. Did you put the ones for -32F.
I fill it with the orange rainx,should be -32f,and the outside temp only 34f, even not that freezing yet
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      12-07-2012, 07:56 PM   #11
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Thats weird. The weather here was 27-30F for several days and I didn`t get the warning. I keep it in the garage at night but during the day it sits on an open lot. No warnings at all.
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      12-08-2012, 02:33 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hayir View Post
Thats weird. The weather here was 27-30F for several days and I didn`t get the warning. I keep it in the garage at night but during the day it sits on an open lot. No warnings at all.
In my experience that is too warm. I only get the warnings when it's below -5C (23F).
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      12-11-2012, 02:03 PM   #13
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Under investigation

Hi,
I tried to find out via ETK what type of sensor/gauge BMW uses to measure fluid level (or at least fluid appearance) on F30/F31, but without any success.
I believe the common nominator seems to be that the failure occurs mainly during cold weather i.e. sub zero. I suspect it is a conductive sensor, but I'll eventually check it out at the workshop later on next week.

I have the Touring model (F31), and I've also experienced that the rear window nozzle doesn't spray any fluid when the low level warning light is lit. Not sure whether that applies at all times when warning appears, but I'll keep it under supervision.
I'm currently driving in cold snowy weather conditions so the warnings are frequent - and annoying...
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      12-12-2012, 12:14 PM   #14
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I've had this issue for the past month, even in weather around 55F and up. The car claims I need to put fluid in, but when I go to add fluid I can see fluid at the top of the reservoir. I'll keep you guys posted. Also having my service center check out the brake squeak that everyone else has mentioned.
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      12-12-2012, 12:35 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jsbmw87 View Post
I've had this issue for the past month, even in weather around 55F and up. The car claims I need to put fluid in, but when I go to add fluid I can see fluid at the top of the reservoir. I'll keep you guys posted. Also having my service center check out the brake squeak that everyone else has mentioned.
thanks, looks like this bug is more common than I thought...
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      12-12-2012, 01:05 PM   #16
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The same issue has almost every F30 owner in Russia according to a local bmw forum. I prefer to think positive - while the warning is on, headlights nozzles do not spray, thus saving fluid
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      12-12-2012, 02:21 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LupusLoco View Post
I have the Touring model (F31), and I've also experienced that the rear window nozzle doesn't spray any fluid when the low level warning light is lit. Not sure whether that applies at all times when warning appears, but I'll keep it under supervision.
I'm currently driving in cold snowy weather conditions so the warnings are frequent - and annoying...
Same thing here. (Hej förresten! :-) ).

To top this off, I am suspecting that the headlight high pressure washers don't activate when the warning has been triggered. I haven't seen it spray mine in a couple of weeks.

I am giving BMW a pretty stern message on this, and I hope all of you do too. They need to fix this as it is both annoying and impacting the visibility when it's dark.

By the way, my father has an F30 328 and is using it in pretty much the same way as I am mine. He has not been getting the warning. I am considering trying to mix my washer fluid in exactly the same way as he does to see if it makes any difference....
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      12-12-2012, 02:22 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bold Vitalic View Post
The same issue has almost every F30 owner in Russia according to a local bmw forum. I prefer to think positive - while the warning is on, headlights nozzles do not spray, thus saving fluid
Sure, that's positive until you are on a dark and slushy winter road and the car refuses to spray your headlights. Then it's suddenly dangerous.
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      12-13-2012, 11:18 AM   #19
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My SA called and said since I wasn't using BMW approved fluid, that was my problem. Apparently RAIN-X doesn't work well with the sensors. I call BS.
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      12-14-2012, 03:34 AM   #20
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Never had the problem with mine guys (tjena!), while at work my car sits outside and we now got temps down to -20. I only use a pre-mixed fluid for -18 C (doesn´t freeze even though the outside temp is a bit lower). As someone mentioned above the sensor is most likely conductive, and I think the problem lies in the conductivity of the fluid; too high concentration of washer liquid or using deionized water to mix with it could probably be the contributing factors. Use normal "dirty" water if u mix yourself or buy a pre-mixed solution. Should work.

And about the rear washer not getting liquid when the warning has gone off, yes that seems to be the case every time so I think it´s meant to be that way.
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      12-14-2012, 07:06 AM   #21
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I used premixed I bought at Statoil at first. Then when the warning had gone off incorrectly I mixed in a bit more concentrated (thinking the premixed might have frozen since it was so darned cold). I'll try mixing myself using regular tap water + concentrated anti-freeze and see if it helps.
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      12-14-2012, 07:24 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jsbmw87 View Post
My SA called and said since I wasn't using BMW approved fluid, that was my problem. Apparently RAIN-X doesn't work well with the sensors. I call BS.
Huge BS. I got mine filled at the dealer and I'm experiencing the issue still.
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