More E39 trouble

[WEHGuy]

Hi, I have a E39 535 and climate control has died on me. I was turning down the AC and then the whole unit just went dead. It seems like there is no polwer going to it at all. I have tried changing fuses but, there is that many fuses relating to the climate control none done anything for me. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

PS. It really needs sorted ASAP. I had to drive 500+ miles the other day with the windows open in the pissing rain to stop the windscreen steaming up.

[williamp]

silly question, but...

On the e39, when you turn the fan all the way down, the whole system shuts itself off. And stays that way until yo move the fan back. Have you tried pressing the "+" button a few times, to see if it comes back to life?

Other then that I cannot think of anything else, I'm afriad (other then the window switch...)

[WEHGuy]

williamp said:

silly question, but...

On the e39, when you turn the fan all the way down, the whole system shuts itself off. And stays that way until yo move the fan back. Have you tried pressing the "+" button a few times, to see if it comes back to life?

Other then that I cannot think of anything else, I'm afriad (other then the window switch...)

Of course. I was turning it down, not off and then it just died.

[TonyRPH]

Sounds like the famous 'hedgehog' resistor has failed.

http://forum.bmwcarmagazine.com/viewtopic.php?t=30...

[WEHGuy]

TonyRPH said:

Sounds like the famous 'hedgehog' resistor has failed.

http://forum.bmwcarmagazine.com/viewtopic.php?t=30...

Would a 2nd hand part of Ebay be suffice or will I have to go direct to BMW? Is there a test I can do, to confirm it is this part before I spend cash buying it?

[TonyRPH]

I would say that if the fan control lights are illuminated but no fan activity it's almost certainly the hedgehog.

Had a quick Google search, but there doesn't appear to be a definitive way of diagnosing this, unless you pay a dealer.

Look at this link.

And this link.

This is a very common fault, and also affects the E46 3 series.

Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 19th July 12:52

[WEHGuy]

TonyRPH said:

I would say that if the fan control lights are illuminated but no fan activity it's almost certainly the hedgehog.

Had a quick Google search, but there doesn't appear to be a definitive way of diagnosing this, unless you pay a dealer.

Look at this link.

And this link.

This is a very common fault, and also affects the E46 3 series.

Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 19th July 12:52

No power to it whatsoever.

[TonyRPH]

WEHGuy said:

TonyRPH said:

I would say that if the fan control lights are illuminated but no fan activity it's almost certainly the hedgehog.

Had a quick Google search, but there doesn't appear to be a definitive way of diagnosing this, unless you pay a dealer.

Look at this link.

And this link.

This is a very common fault, and also affects the E46 3 series.

Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 19th July 12:52

No power to it whatsoever.

Have you checked the fuses in the glovebox?

Edit: I see you have checked fuses - just not sure where?

There are also some in the boot, on the right hand side - don't think they pertain to the blower though - but mioght be worth a look.

Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 19th July 13:38

[WEHGuy]

TonyRPH said:

WEHGuy said:

TonyRPH said:

I would say that if the fan control lights are illuminated but no fan activity it's almost certainly the hedgehog.

Had a quick Google search, but there doesn't appear to be a definitive way of diagnosing this, unless you pay a dealer.

Look at this link.

And this link.

This is a very common fault, and also affects the E46 3 series.

Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 19th July 12:52

No power to it whatsoever.

Have you checked the fuses in the glovebox?

Edit: I see you have checked fuses - just not sure where?

There are also some in the boot, on the right hand side - don't think they pertain to the blower though - but mioght be worth a look.

Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 19th July 13:38

I have checked some fuses but, there is that many refering to certain aspects of the climate control but, can't find 1 fuse for just the climate control dashboard unit. What would that come under?

[TonyRPH]

WEHGuy said:

TonyRPH said:

WEHGuy said:

TonyRPH said:

I would say that if the fan control lights are illuminated but no fan activity it's almost certainly the hedgehog.

Had a quick Google search, but there doesn't appear to be a definitive way of diagnosing this, unless you pay a dealer.

Look at this link.

And this link.

This is a very common fault, and also affects the E46 3 series.

Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 19th July 12:52

No power to it whatsoever.

Have you checked the fuses in the glovebox?

Edit: I see you have checked fuses - just not sure where?

There are also some in the boot, on the right hand side - don't think they pertain to the blower though - but mioght be worth a look.

Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 19th July 13:38

I have checked some fuses but, there is that many refering to certain aspects of the climate control but, can't find 1 fuse for just the climate control dashboard unit. What would that come under?

There are two fuses hidden in a separate holder in the glove box. One is for the AUX fan (electric radiator fan) not sure if the other is for the blower?

There should be a slide out card with the fuse designations.

Just checked and...

Aux fan is fuse 75 and heater blower is 76 (so there's your answer)

And here's a pic of the location.

Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 19th July 15:13

[WEHGuy]

TonyRPH said:

WEHGuy said:

TonyRPH said:

WEHGuy said:

TonyRPH said:

I would say that if the fan control lights are illuminated but no fan activity it's almost certainly the hedgehog.

Had a quick Google search, but there doesn't appear to be a definitive way of diagnosing this, unless you pay a dealer.

Look at this link.

And this link.

This is a very common fault, and also affects the E46 3 series.

Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 19th July 12:52

No power to it whatsoever.

Have you checked the fuses in the glovebox?

Edit: I see you have checked fuses - just not sure where?

There are also some in the boot, on the right hand side - don't think they pertain to the blower though - but mioght be worth a look.

Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 19th July 13:38

I have checked some fuses but, there is that many refering to certain aspects of the climate control but, can't find 1 fuse for just the climate control dashboard unit. What would that come under?

There are two fuses hidden in a separate holder in the glove box. One is for the AUX fan (electric radiator fan) not sure if the other is for the blower?

There should be a slide out card with the fuse designations.

Just checked and...

Aux fan is fuse 75 and heater blower is 76 (so there's your answer)

And here's a pic of the location.

Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 19th July 15:13

Top man, thanks alot. I will look into it. If, it's not a fuse, do you think it could be the actual climate control unit?

[TonyRPH]

I wouldn't like to hazard a guess to be honest.

Until you check the fuse, I think the problem is anybody's guess!

It is of course possible that the hedgehog has short circuited, blowing the fuse.

Edited by TonyRPH on Tuesday 20th July 18:32

[WEHGuy]

TonyRPH said:

I wouldn't like to hazard a guess to be honest.

Until you check the fuse, I think the problem is anybody's guess!

It is of course possible that the hedgehog has short circuited, blowing the fuse.

Edited by TonyRPH on Tuesday 20th July 18:32

1 hour ago for the first time since last Tuesday there was power to the display for 2 seconds and then went dead again.

[TonyRPH]

When I had aux (cooling) fan troubles with mine, I was told the fuse and fuse holders had been worked on, having been cleaned with sandpaper etc.

Also - there are known earthing problems with this cooling fan.

Given that the blower fan draws similar amounts of power, I'm wondering if you don't perhaps have an earthing fault?

Or a corroded fuse / fuse holder?

I cannot offer any more suggestions I'm afraid, apart from taking it to an auto electrician.

And sorry, I didn't answer you previous question;

WEHGuy said:

Top man, thanks alot. I will look into it. If, it's not a fuse, do you think it could be the actual climate control unit?

I would be surprised, given that you said it worked briefly again.

This does indeed sound like the hedgehog or an earthing issue (or both!).

Edited by TonyRPH on Tuesday 20th July 22:50

[WEHGuy]

TonyRPH said:

When I had aux (cooling) fan troubles with mine, I was told the fuse and fuse holders had been worked on, having been cleaned with sandpaper etc.

Also - there are known earthing problems with this cooling fan.

Given that the blower fan draws similar amounts of power, I'm wondering if you don't perhaps have an earthing fault?

Or a corroded fuse / fuse holder?

I cannot offer any more suggestions I'm afraid, apart from taking it to an auto electrician.

And sorry, I didn't answer you previous question;

WEHGuy said:

Top man, thanks alot. I will look into it. If, it's not a fuse, do you think it could be the actual climate control unit?

I would be surprised, given that you said it worked briefly again.

This does indeed sound like the hedgehog or an earthing issue (or both!).

Edited by TonyRPH on Tuesday 20th July 22:50

Sorted.

Thanks Tony, I owe you a beer

[TonyRPH]

Glad to have been of assistance!

What was it after all?

[WEHGuy]

TonyRPH said:

Glad to have been of assistance!

What was it after all?

An earthing problem.

[williamp]

Glad you got it sorted.