the harness should go to the connector on the side of the radiator shroud. Check to see if there is no plug. Water pump doesnt cost that much and normally, when you replace the thermo, you replace the pump, but that is just me. Make sure you have the right tools to remove the damper underneath, such a pain to do that. The good places are DINAN in Mountain View, Bavarian in Milpitas among others. Just a warning, they ALL charge arm and leg which motivated me to do the DIY myself.

Bimmer
Thanks for the information. When you say that the connector goes on the side of the radiator shroud it seems that the cable is not that long it is wrapped with the other connector you see on my photos and I do not see a plug in the vicinity.
I will check the cost of the water pump and thermostat I'll try to change both but like I a said before the water pump seems that it was change recently. Therefore I'm on the fence not to change it.
My dad which he has mechanical knowledge will help me (but he is 75 years old) I'll make the heavy lifting at this time. I already removed the damper underneath this is how I was able to get a better view and was able to snap the photos.

amcink! HOLD IT! That's not coolant!!! That's your windshield washer fluid!!! The o Rings on the electric pumps sometimes get hard and leak, or one of the water hoses on your washer tank is leaking! That's not coolant!

And that connector is for you AC compressor. That would explain why your AC stopped working! Also from your pictures (which are awesome for helping diagnose BTW) it looks like something has shifted or fallen onto the accessory belt but also soaked it with washer fluid which would explain the burning smell!!! Have you even checked your expansion tank for the cooling system? I bet it is still fine!!

Hold off on that water pump/t-stat! If you said it looks like someone did the waterpump i bet they didn't put things back together neatly! That wiring harness should not be laying down there.


Hope this helps! Keep us posted!

Good point, but his washer fluid seems to be full. Also washer fluid is blue? (I use Isopropyl alcohol 50/50 mis for washer fluid so mine is just like water not blue).
Yep, I'll check the coolant expansion tank.
For sure you need to fix the wiring.

Now that you guys bring the issue of he windsheild fluid. When I got the truck (4 weeks ago) the washer fluid was low and the message came on about 2 weeks ago about missing washer fluid I made the msitake to pick upa gallon of washer fluid form the local Pep boys and refill the container. it took the whole gallon BTW. I willc heck th eexpansion tank for leakeage. One major question the fluid that you see on the photos was "oily" does this mean this is the coolant? IN addition the washer fluid container has knrust or deposit of something (calcium?) on the lid. but the water was not sprayd form this area . i found a lot of sprayed near the thermostat area. I also was recommended to do a test - refilled the radiator and start the car to see where the leak is coming out from, in addition he told me not to keep the car running for more than 2 to 3 miniutes and since it can get hot.
Finally my wife also notice that (since she was the one that drove the car) the x5 never got hot 9sien she was checking the tempeture neddle. and it was util she arrived at home (about 1.5 mile ) that all the liquid was coming out from the botton of the x5

I would go and check the coolant level cold and see if that tank is empty, with all that coolant on the ground it should be empty by now! If it isn't, we know for sure that it is your washer fluid! (no need to have it running)

First of all - I would like to thank you everyone for the good feed back and directions. Second I apologize for the ton of misspelled erros. I'm just too excited and worry about this situation.

No worries, but what is the verdict on your car now?

The damper is under the pulley on your photos. That is parallel to the bottom part of your thermostat. It looks like a big disc with bolts around and a huge one on the center. Anyway, so did u find where the leak is?