Might get inhibited as the battery gets close to a particular low level.

 

Hi did you find out if this is normal i have just purchased a 330e today and I've noticed the same as you any help would be appreciated whilst I have a warranty.
Thanks kev.

 

Hi did you find out if this is normal i have just purchased a 330e today and I've noticed the same as you any help would be appreciated whilst I have a warranty.
Thanks kev.

Hi Kev,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I haven't had it looked at as the fault isn't constant, car was booked in then it started working so cancelled it. if you get any where with it please let me know.
Thanks
Tim

 

Guys i have the same problem. Did anyone change the aux battery in the front already? Think this is the problem. Let me know so we can help eachother.

 

Haven’t tried the aux battery! Could you explain why you think this could be the case? Would be very interesting to know

 

Not sure but i think they only go a few miles on battery so you won't be cold for long.
Sorry but not for me electric cars and i am getting too old to change.
One day they might get it right but i will be long gone by then.
Hope you doo get this sorted.

 

I checked the battery in the front, this was tested as good. I also read that this one is only for the start stop system. The battery in the back I changed today, it was a bit low on voltage I noticed. I will keep you guys updated.

 

So it was not the small battery in the boot. It worked for 3 days, but now same problem returned. What I did noticed was that if you take of the minus of the battery and try to start the car (which is not turning on the car offcourse) then car gets a sort of reset, then heater is working. BUT FOR HOW LONG? Strange thing....

 

Interesting thread, I have the same problem. Background - The 330e has in car heating when running electric, e.g. from cold start in the morning until no hybrid battery left, you should get good heating from the aux. electric heater + you shoudl be able to pre-heat and still have heating when driving. This all worked fine for me for + 2 years, then this winter its been intermittent (maybe worse when it's sub zero, when you need it most). Did wonder if it might be the aux. heater control relay not contacting properly (anyone know where that is located - or agree with this). Will get it looked at next service but not due for a while and I think the aux. heater is expensive (but should have warranty cover).

 

Hi, I have a was same problem, after changed big battery from trunk after everything good again, Try it

 

Thanx for your post!

Yes it could be the relay indeed. I also dont think the aux heater is broken.

Keep us updated please with any news about this issue.

 

Thanx for your post!

Yes it could be the relay indeed. I also dont think the aux heater is broken.

Keep us updated please with any news about this issue.

I have the same problem, bought car new last August, left back to garage today to have it checked, they are replacing a part(don't ask me what) will take a few days! Basically they told me the heating doesn't work when car running on electric.... I suggest you return the car, seams to be a known problem!!

 

Thanx for the info!

If you pick up the car, can you ask what they replaced? Would be great to know what is the problem!

 

Auxiliary heater to be replaced!

 

Exactly the same for me...first time BMW stripped down dash. Said they reset regulator's or something.. 1200 pounds.

Problem returned.
Took it back in..now they said aux heater.

This has to be a common problem. Original quote now was 1700 they said would reduce to 1200.. I walked out

 

What did you do in the end? They said the same for me. Quoted me 1700 for my 530e but said they'd do parts and labour for 400 as good will. Worth?

 

Hello all... Did any of you get to the bottom of this issue of the heating only working when the car if running on the engine?

 

Could you explain why you think this could be the case? Would be very interesting to know

Nox Vidmate VLC​

 

I have a 225xe with exactly the same issue. Fortunately mine is still under warranty but bought it from a Renault Garage as it was a trade in. I would like to point them in the right direction if indeed it is the Aux heater unit. It seems it is a relatively common issue with electric BMWs

 

I have read through this thread and would like to give some insight into the route of the issue. You see the electric heating works on a closed loop when the engine isn't running. This is so the electric heater isn't heating up all the engine coolant and thus draining a load of battery. Once the engine is up to temp the closed loop opens and then the unit shares warm coolant with the engine saving the battery further. Now the issue begins when you have a leak from the aux heater to the heater core on the closed circuit. If this gets empty or pockets of air form in it. It will naturally not be able to circulate or transfer heat to the heater core. The only way this is rectified is when the diverter valve opens and the water pump clears the air lock and re floods the line with coolant from the engine back to the heater. That being said a good course of action is to look for leaks or any loose connection connection which could be suspect. Cliff note: cause is highly likely to be a leak between aux heater and heater core. If it your heater is getting hot with the engine running.

 

Hello,

I noticed that if I turn the ventilation in high, the problem does not occur anymore, or at least it occurs less often. I don’t remember if I read this here or somewhere else, but the problem might be generated by a sensor which is placed close to the heating source of the aux heating circuit used on electric drive, it heats up, and turns off the heating to prevent damage because it thinks the water is too hot. Now, I think that if you turn up the ventilation, thus cooling the water more, the water doesn’t heat up as much and the sensor doesn’t trigger the turning of the aux circuit heating.
I don’t know if the reasoning is valid or not, but it seems to be working for me since a month now. No more morning commutes with a warm back and a cold face.

 

Hi All,

I own a BMW 330e sport pro & i have got my first issue of heating.

Firstly, the heating for vents on driver side doesn't heat, no matter if its running on Petrol or as an electric but it works for passenger only on petrol.
Secondly, I think the air throw of the vents is not quite strong? could it be due to the blocked cabin filter?

I am not sure what could be the cause here.
I think @Abenson1989 analysis is quite good, could be something like that. I want to look for the leak but at the moment i don't understand the aux location or the areas i should look for and if anyone can pull a diagram or location where the leaks could be? it will be really helpful.


I have read all the comments here and i really appreciate the community looking out for each other and trying to help out the best way. Thank you all.

 

One more here with same problem

What I have noticed, If you drive engine hot with petrol, for next hours (even untill next morning) my aux heater functions normally (pre-heat in morning etc) on electric drive. I think, that indicates quite clearly that aux heater unit itself is functioning ok, but for some reason (probably leak somewhere), circulating of cooling liquid (or heating this case) is interrupted.

Because heating in electric drive works normally next morning, I dont believe that water pump of aux heater is the problem.

Sadly I dont know how to fix this, If our mechanic finds some other solution than changing whole aux heater unit, I will post about that later.

 

Thank you @hadveikki for sharing insights and your experience.
Do you face any coolant reduction (possibly a few mls) over a week of normal (25mi/day with 75% petrol drive share) usage?
I was looking for coolant flush, should i opt for Halfords coolant flush service?

If if want to look for annual leak between aux heater and heater core how can i access the area, any insight?

 

I haven't been following coolant levels but it seems that my both tanks are at max level (cold car/motor).

I can't say anything about that flush, I am not so experienced with these car problems :/

 

Update to my case.
Even thou the aux heater was behaving wierd (worked second day after driving engine to hot), they didin't find any loose wires ect and had to replace the whole aux heater unit.

Might be that heater unit had some inside wirings or faulty heater resistor that had loose/bad connectiong and after driving coolant hot with engine, the heat expansion of body/wires/resistor got back the connection and heater worked for a while.

Anyhow, heating works again, but sadly they couldn't find any cheap/DIY solution to this.