[blackpepper]

Hi Guys
Is this just me or the car ? whenever the temperature outside is below freezing, my steering wheel heater will not heat up, the light will go on for a couple of seconds, and then off, without heating the wheel. in warmer days it functions OK. is there something wrong or is this just me not understanding the design of this device ?
Thanks
BP

[CHCCubs]

I've only used the heated steering wheel on my car a few times, but each time it has stayed on the whole time until I switched it off. Each time it was quite cold out, around -10C to -15C (14F to 5F).

[John 070]

That happened to me with a brand new 328i x-drive coupe loaner, but I had the rear defrost, front defrost, heated seats, wipers, and headlights going.

I think either a software update fixes it or too much is being drawn so the IBS sensor cuts it off, not sure as I don't have it on my car.

[tirana]

It's a known problem. If the steering wheel is activated at the same time as heated seats or other accessories, the voltage drop shuts it off. There is a service bulletin report. Dealer should be able to rectify with a new circuit board.

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/b320109g.htm

[BKV122]

Originally Posted by tirana

It's a known problem. If the steering wheel is activated at the same time as heated seats or other accessories, the voltage drop shuts it off. There is a service bulletin report. Dealer should be able to rectify with a new circuit board.

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/b320109g.htm

+1

Its usually when the car first starts up and is cold there will be a voltage drop if to many other options are on at the same time

[Craig@SupremePower]

DAMN!!

Originally Posted by tirana

It's a known problem. If the steering wheel is activated at the same time as heated seats or other accessories, the voltage drop shuts it off. There is a service bulletin report. Dealer should be able to rectify with a new circuit board.

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/b320109g.htm

[2kaccordocoupe]

Good to know, the samething happened to me the other day. I just assumed it was a random glitch since it was fine after turning the car off and back on.

[jopa489]

There's been many threads on this. As said, it's a known bug that now has a fix.

[GobaS]

How do u turn on/off the Steering wheel heater??

[jopa489]

Originally Posted by GobaS

How do u turn on/off the Steering wheel heater??

There's a small button on the left side of the steering column (below the turn signal stalk) if your car is equipped with it.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by jopa489

There's a small button on the left side of the steering column (below the turn signal stalk) if your car is equipped with it.

Are you sure? On my car it's on the right side of the steering column. Right below the wiper controls

[jopa489]

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

Are you sure? On my car it's on the right side of the steering column. Right below the wiper controls

You're right, my bad.

[blackpepper]

Thanks Guys
I will be taking the car for a scheduled service soon and will let the dealer know about this.
Thanks again for the very helpful tips. Stay safe & warm !
BP

[Cosa Nostra]

Yeah, I'm experiencing the exact same problem (heated steering wheel turns-off right away on cold days/intermittently) on my brand new 2009 335i coupe. Will report SIB 32 01 09 to the dealer pronto. It is an intermittment annoying problem.

Update she's fixed - known faulty heating unit - Jopa489 was right on the ball!

P.S. Jopa how did u find SIB 32 01 09 - oh please do tell?

[jopa489]

Originally Posted by Greg007

Yeah, I'm experiencing the exact same problem (heated steering wheel turns-off right away on cold days/intermittently) on my brand new 2009 335i coupe. Will report SIB 32 01 09 to the dealer pronto. It is an intermittment annoying problem.

Update she's fixed - known faulty heating unit - Jopa489 was right on the ball!

P.S. Jopa how did u find SIB 32 01 09 - oh please do tell?

By spending too much time reading about these cars.

[RAS100]

I have the same problem but didn't know the company finally is fixing this glitch. Until you get the car into the dealer, wait about 1 minute until you turn the wheel on and you'll be OK.

[motch]

Last month I took my 2009 328xi Coupe in for it's first yearly service.
I had the issue with the steering wheel heat happen and thanks to this site, was able to print the SB and give it to my service advisor.

Unfortunately, I couldn't leave the car there for a few days and they said they needed at least two days so we agreed to make another appointment for end of Feb.

Now it gets interesting-
I gave them my car last week (Wed night) and was told that I needed a new left front strut (they are claiming damage due to a pothole!) and they would take care of the Steering Wheel Heat & also a Navigation/I-Nav issue.

Today I go to get my car (after a week) and after paying $800 for the strut and wheel alignment, I look at the bill and low and behold;
Steering Wheel Heat, operates normal, no fault found.
INav operates normal, no fault found.

Now I'm alittle upset and talk with my service advisor. I am told the foreman checked the system out and everything works as it should.
I am also told that the SB does not apply to my car!
Because I had printed it out, and gave it to them.. they looked and had a discussion. I then walked out to my car and guess what, the heat came on and within a min, went off by itself!

Now they still have my car, I'm still in a loaner and they say it will be taken care of tomorrow.
I will be escalating this to the dealership and to BMWNA.

Make sure you print out these SB's on here. This is the second time that I've walked in with a SB to get something taken care of (first was the right rear light socket). Seems that Beemer will not be proactive on their SB's.

Always
motch

[s3touring]

blackpepper -

thanks for bringing this up. i realize from the responses it has been an issue, but to a newbie like me, i would not even think to search because i was not aware of it. i do notice my heated steering wheel shutting off, as i do kick in the heated seats with it. (yes, some of you are wondering what the heck i'm doing with all that in socal. it feels good. a/c running!) will be bringing this up at the next visit.

[Murph335]

awwww

[mkato13]

Weird. Id try the fix they mentioned. I guess they fixed it with the 2010 cars. I hope into my car and as soon is it fires up I turn on the seat heater and steering wheel heater and lately the rear defroster(and side mirror heater). No issues there. Only turns off when I turn it off

[Phil G.]

Originally Posted by tirana

It's a known problem. If the steering wheel is activated at the same time as heated seats or other accessories, the voltage drop shuts it off. There is a service bulletin report. Dealer should be able to rectify with a new circuit board.

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/b320109g.htm

Correct. Had the same issue with mine. Dealer replaced switch on steering column and heated wheel now works fine. No charge for TSB repair.

[Verbiage]

I wish I had a heated steering wheel sometimes

But the seats are good enough