I have a 2015 i3. My heater stopped working . The fault I have finally resolved ! Was the HV heater had leaked water internally into the HV cable connection on the side . This in turn blew the £15 fuse in the EME in the boot. It took my back street garage mechanic 12 hrs to change the fuse and had to alter a few spanners to change the fuse . BMW garages will seek to replace the HV heater ,all associated HV cables ,the EME and also the EKK. This will cost about £11,500 !!!! . I got mine fixed for £2100 . Hope this helps . Fingers crossed your cars have warrantyOne of our i3’s had the same issue - intermittent heat- and then none.
Apparently a “known” i3 issue for the standard non-heat pump versions.
It is the i3 heater element that fails - situated behind the “frunk”.
View attachment 492
Someone competent mechanically will find it an easy swap out.
Caution: Remember to turn off and isolate the HV battery supply first!
Part is expensive though at about £480.
I understand it has been updated since the version fitted at build.
Hi Jim,Before you put in storage, maybe take VIN to another BMW dealer in case car was made in first couple months of 2020 and there is a month or two left. If you put it to the side you may kick yourself later you didn’t get a 2nd opinion. I’m looking at a 2030 i3s and non-bmw dealer said you have the warranty when I requested the 12 volt battery be changed as part of the sale. Still checking to see if he is right as San Francisco BMW dealer I reached out to didn’t give an answer. BMW told me all dealers are privately owned on another dealer who said he could sell to my state.
Thankfully ours was replaced at a BMW main dealer for c.£580 including a new upgraded heater unit. The cost goes through the farm, (it's a company pool car) so we get the VAT back, so not too bad, and I could keep working instead of scraping my knuckles in the frunk.…I have a 2015 i3. My heater stopped working . The fault I have finally resolved ! Was the HV heater had leaked water internally into the HV cable connection on the side . This in turn blew the £15 fuse in the EME in the boot. It took my back street garage mechanic 12 hrs to change the fuse and had to alter a few spanners to change the fuse . BMW garages will seek to replace the HV heater ,all associated HV cables ,the EME and also the EKK. This will cost about £11,500 !!!! . I got mine fixed for £2100 . Hope this helps . Fingers crossed your cars have warranty
Hi Roryc - do you recall/could you find out what your code was? I think I have the same issue based on my fault code/description... TIAI have a 2015 i3. My heater stopped working . The fault I have finally resolved ! Was the HV heater had leaked water internally into the HV cable connection on the side . This in turn blew the £15 fuse in the EME in the boot. It took my back street garage mechanic 12 hrs to change the fuse and had to alter a few spanners to change the fuse . BMW garages will seek to replace the HV heater ,all associated HV cables ,the EME and also the EKK. This will cost about £11,500 !!!! . I got mine fixed for £2100 . Hope this helps . Fingers crossed your cars have warranty
Still waiting to get mine fixed .. did you find out how much it cost to get fixed!Hi car went in today and fault code is 801 380 which is a internal fault on heater tank so new one wanted and have been told bmw upgraded this part
Anyone know if Is there somewhere that gives a description of how to do the repair? I read that the coolant used in the heating system is described as "Coolant concentrate i3" but can anyone help with what the correct procedure is for bleeding air out of the system once the coolant has been replaced. I saw the BMW Technical Training product information manual which is interesting but not a repair manual. There seems to be little info on repair procedures for the i3, a repair manual would be great.Someone competent mechanically will find it an easy swap out.
Caution: Remember to turn off and isolate the HV battery supply first!
Enter your email address to join: