e39 hedgehog

[drmotorsport]

Has anyone had to replace a previously replaced final stage resistor 'hedgehog' for the HVAC fan? Just wondered as my original BMW item packed up with symptoms of no fan at all followed by fan on full blast on a return journey which then refused to stop even when car was locked.

Replaced original with 'Vemo' item from Eurocarparts which worked perfectly for all of 1 hour, before packing up with again no fan speed at all.

Never heard of Vemo as a part manufacturer, so am assuming it's just a cheap Chinese copy but shirly it should last longer than that!

[skoff]

All the advice I had was to go original BMW on this part, there were a couple of guys who had similar problems - though theirs lasted a bit longer than yours. Sounds like a faulty part to me.

The original BMW one I got was slightly different design than the one I took off, so I assume it was improved. It was about £50 from a dealer, so not that expensive to warrant getting a copy.

[miniman]

Got mine from GSF Car Parts, no problems.

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Skoff - the hedgehog has been improved over the years hence the longer spines on the one you've got.

Just to confirm things.

edited to add that all BMW parts come with a 2 year warranty.

Try bmminiparts.co.uk for original parts but at reduced costs and with the 2 yr warranty. No affiliation but I do think he's on PH.

Sav

Edited by Oi_Oi_Savaloy on Monday 10th May 14:49

[Pickled Piper]

skoff said:

All the advice I had was to go original BMW on this part, there were a couple of guys who had similar problems - though theirs lasted a bit longer than yours. Sounds like a faulty part to me.

The original BMW one I got was slightly different design than the one I took off, so I assume it was improved. It was about £50 from a dealer, so not that expensive to warrant getting a copy.

Exactly as above. Replaced mine a couple of years ago and no problems since.

You can get many original BMW parts from Euro car parts and GSF at bargain prices. This is not one of them.

pp

[JJM]

Give these guys a shout.

http://www.motormec.co.uk/

I purchased a genuine BMW part from them last year I think it cost about £45, from a main dealer i was quoted £75.

Anyway have had no issues with it. And it came with the standard warranty.

Edited by JJM on Monday 10th May 18:29

[MitchT]

Make sure there isn't another fault. I had my 'hedgehog' replaced with a new one (genuine BMW) and it worked for a second or so before packing-up. Turned out there was a short in the wiring loom which had caused it to burn out. Fixed the short, installed another new hedgehog and the problem was solved. Not cheap burning-out a brand new hedgehog!

Edited by MitchT on Monday 10th May 21:57

[drmotorsport]

OK thanks guys, will try and get the item replaced at euro's with a genuine bmw part.

[drmotorsport]

Update... HVAC now been working ok for a week after getting sufficiently annoyed to give the problem to a local BMW dealer. Euro's dont do genuine BMW hedghogs anymore and after blowing 2 of their finest Trucktec/Vemo items with second item actually burning my hand melting a 40amp fuse. Assumed a fault with wiring or fan unit itself but BMW just replaced the hedgehog and fuse.