E60 Heater Fan speed problem.
03-10-2008 | 01:24 PM
#1
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 31
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From: Greenock, Scotland
My Ride: BMW 520i, March 2004, Silver Grey, 68000 Miles, PDC, DIY iPod Setup with remote control, GLOVE BOX TORCH- YES!
It might only be a 520i, but you've got to start somewhere! It's my first decent ride, and I'm still only 22. And unlike some this ain't Daddy's - it's all mine!
Hi guys, hate making my first post on a forum one asking for help but I've only had my 2004 520iSE for about 2 months and I'm still learning, so I wouldn't have been much help so anyone up until now.
Anyway, just noticed this morning on my way to work that there was almost no difference in fan speed between setting 2 and full blast. Don't know how long this has been happening for since I'm used to just sitting it on 1 and getting some subtle heat. I do know that it has at least been working in the 2 months I've had it, as if I ever got in and the windscreen was fogged up, I would blast it on full for a few seconds until I could see. There's still plenty of hot air- no problem with the actual elements as far as I can tell, just the fan speed, and it doesn't make a difference if the Auto is on or off.
While experimenting with it outside tonight, I managed to get the fan to kick into full blast twice- once for a few seconds before cutting out, and then again, when it actually stayed on, until I killed the ignition, removed the key, and started back up again, to find it had gone. I didn't do anything special to get it running- just kept flicking the speed dial back and forth and it kicked in at random. Anyone had this before, or heard of it and know the cause?
I also noticed some strange mechanical sounds with the radio off while turning the heat on and off. Certainly sounded as though a fan was jammed when I turned on the air re-circulation (which obviously normally boosts the speed of the fans). On top of that, as soon as I pressed the auto on, I could hear a long drawn out whine, and a low pulsing thud, which would send a light vibration through the dash, which I could feel through the dials and vent controls on every thud. On searching the forum this could be what others have described as the auxillary pump.
Going to book the car in tomorrow at the dealers since I have the last of my warranty left there , but they aren't a BMW garage, just a local specialist, so I'm hoping to have as much homework done as possible before then. Any help would be fantastic.
Cheers,
Dave
Anyway, just noticed this morning on my way to work that there was almost no difference in fan speed between setting 2 and full blast. Don't know how long this has been happening for since I'm used to just sitting it on 1 and getting some subtle heat. I do know that it has at least been working in the 2 months I've had it, as if I ever got in and the windscreen was fogged up, I would blast it on full for a few seconds until I could see. There's still plenty of hot air- no problem with the actual elements as far as I can tell, just the fan speed, and it doesn't make a difference if the Auto is on or off.
While experimenting with it outside tonight, I managed to get the fan to kick into full blast twice- once for a few seconds before cutting out, and then again, when it actually stayed on, until I killed the ignition, removed the key, and started back up again, to find it had gone. I didn't do anything special to get it running- just kept flicking the speed dial back and forth and it kicked in at random. Anyone had this before, or heard of it and know the cause?
I also noticed some strange mechanical sounds with the radio off while turning the heat on and off. Certainly sounded as though a fan was jammed when I turned on the air re-circulation (which obviously normally boosts the speed of the fans). On top of that, as soon as I pressed the auto on, I could hear a long drawn out whine, and a low pulsing thud, which would send a light vibration through the dash, which I could feel through the dials and vent controls on every thud. On searching the forum this could be what others have described as the auxillary pump.
Going to book the car in tomorrow at the dealers since I have the last of my warranty left there , but they aren't a BMW garage, just a local specialist, so I'm hoping to have as much homework done as possible before then. Any help would be fantastic.
Cheers,
Dave
03-10-2008 | 01:59 PM
#2
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,325
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From: Essex, UK
Originally Posted by wrathalanche' post='542500' date='Mar 10 2008, 08:24 PM
Hi guys, hate making my first post on a forum one asking for help but I've only had my 2004 520iSE for about 2 months and I'm still learning, so I wouldn't have been much help so anyone up until now.
Anyway, just noticed this morning on my way to work that there was almost no difference in fan speed between setting 2 and full blast. Don't know how long this has been happening for since I'm used to just sitting it on 1 and getting some subtle heat. I do know that it has at least been working in the 2 months I've had it, as if I ever got in and the windscreen was fogged up, I would blast it on full for a few seconds until I could see. There's still plenty of hot air- no problem with the actual elements as far as I can tell, just the fan speed, and it doesn't make a difference if the Auto is on or off.
While experimenting with it outside tonight, I managed to get the fan to kick into full blast twice- once for a few seconds before cutting out, and then again, when it actually stayed on, until I killed the ignition, removed the key, and started back up again, to find it had gone. I didn't do anything special to get it running- just kept flicking the speed dial back and forth and it kicked in at random. Anyone had this before, or heard of it and know the cause?
I also noticed some strange mechanical sounds with the radio off while turning the heat on and off. Certainly sounded as though a fan was jammed when I turned on the air re-circulation (which obviously normally boosts the speed of the fans). On top of that, as soon as I pressed the auto on, I could hear a long drawn out whine, and a low pulsing thud, which would send a light vibration through the dash, which I could feel through the dials and vent controls on every thud. On searching the forum this could be what others have described as the auxillary pump.
Going to book the car in tomorrow at the dealers since I have the last of my warranty left there , but they aren't a BMW garage, just a local specialist, so I'm hoping to have as much homework done as possible before then. Any help would be fantastic.
Cheers,
Dave
Anyway, just noticed this morning on my way to work that there was almost no difference in fan speed between setting 2 and full blast. Don't know how long this has been happening for since I'm used to just sitting it on 1 and getting some subtle heat. I do know that it has at least been working in the 2 months I've had it, as if I ever got in and the windscreen was fogged up, I would blast it on full for a few seconds until I could see. There's still plenty of hot air- no problem with the actual elements as far as I can tell, just the fan speed, and it doesn't make a difference if the Auto is on or off.
While experimenting with it outside tonight, I managed to get the fan to kick into full blast twice- once for a few seconds before cutting out, and then again, when it actually stayed on, until I killed the ignition, removed the key, and started back up again, to find it had gone. I didn't do anything special to get it running- just kept flicking the speed dial back and forth and it kicked in at random. Anyone had this before, or heard of it and know the cause?
I also noticed some strange mechanical sounds with the radio off while turning the heat on and off. Certainly sounded as though a fan was jammed when I turned on the air re-circulation (which obviously normally boosts the speed of the fans). On top of that, as soon as I pressed the auto on, I could hear a long drawn out whine, and a low pulsing thud, which would send a light vibration through the dash, which I could feel through the dials and vent controls on every thud. On searching the forum this could be what others have described as the auxillary pump.
Going to book the car in tomorrow at the dealers since I have the last of my warranty left there , but they aren't a BMW garage, just a local specialist, so I'm hoping to have as much homework done as possible before then. Any help would be fantastic.
Cheers,
Dave
Follow this link and check your version: iDriveCheck
03-11-2008 | 02:09 AM
#3
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 31
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From: Greenock, Scotland
My Ride: BMW 520i, March 2004, Silver Grey, 68000 Miles, PDC, DIY iPod Setup with remote control, GLOVE BOX TORCH- YES!
It might only be a 520i, but you've got to start somewhere! It's my first decent ride, and I'm still only 22. And unlike some this ain't Daddy's - it's all mine!
I'm not 100% sure it has anything to do with the iDrive, as its heating control works fine. I don't have the advanced climate control, just the standard system, so my iDrive only controls the cooling and heating of the centre vent. Although, you could be right if the iDrive is responsible for the vent control- I just always assumed that since you controlled fan speed with the dash board knobs, the systems were seperate.
Just to clarify aswell, it HAS worked before. Putting the fans on full blast used to work fine, and have done so within the past month. Embarrassing story, but one day I was playing with the dog on the floor of my house with my keys in my back pocket. Turns out I was sitting on the unlock button, and when I came out to the car the next day, I found the the windows had been down all night, and it had been raining so my seats were a bit wet. I took care of this by putting the heat on full blast for a few hours and dried the car out.
So it certainly was working before. I just can't specify exactly when the fault started since I don't use the full speed setting very often. And like I said, the fault is intermittant. Unfortunatley it intermittantly works, rather than intermittantly fails.
Just to clarify aswell, it HAS worked before. Putting the fans on full blast used to work fine, and have done so within the past month. Embarrassing story, but one day I was playing with the dog on the floor of my house with my keys in my back pocket. Turns out I was sitting on the unlock button, and when I came out to the car the next day, I found the the windows had been down all night, and it had been raining so my seats were a bit wet. I took care of this by putting the heat on full blast for a few hours and dried the car out.
So it certainly was working before. I just can't specify exactly when the fault started since I don't use the full speed setting very often. And like I said, the fault is intermittant. Unfortunatley it intermittantly works, rather than intermittantly fails.
03-11-2008 | 11:47 AM
#4
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Finland
My Ride: 520 iA E60 -04
Hi, read this, same kind of problem:
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...p;hl=a/c+blower
I had exactly the same problem with my 520i (9/2004) couple of weeks ago but it just disappeared without doing any repairs, hope it was just somekind of temporary malfucntion...
Sorry that I can't tell you more, but I think that the regulator might be broken, not any software problem...
-jp-
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...p;hl=a/c+blower
I had exactly the same problem with my 520i (9/2004) couple of weeks ago but it just disappeared without doing any repairs, hope it was just somekind of temporary malfucntion...
Sorry that I can't tell you more, but I think that the regulator might be broken, not any software problem...
-jp-
03-12-2008 | 02:17 AM
#5
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Greenock, Scotland
My Ride: BMW 520i, March 2004, Silver Grey, 68000 Miles, PDC, DIY iPod Setup with remote control, GLOVE BOX TORCH- YES!
It might only be a 520i, but you've got to start somewhere! It's my first decent ride, and I'm still only 22. And unlike some this ain't Daddy's - it's all mine!
Originally Posted by Paavju' post='543012' date='Mar 11 2008, 06:47 PM
Hi, read this, same kind of problem:
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...p;hl=a/c+blower
I had exactly the same problem with my 520i (9/2004) couple of weeks ago but it just disappeared without doing any repairs, hope it was just somekind of temporary malfucntion...
Sorry that I can't tell you more, but I think that the regulator might be broken, not any software problem...
-jp-
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...p;hl=a/c+blower
I had exactly the same problem with my 520i (9/2004) couple of weeks ago but it just disappeared without doing any repairs, hope it was just somekind of temporary malfucntion...
Sorry that I can't tell you more, but I think that the regulator might be broken, not any software problem...
-jp-
.
I would just leave it and hope it resolves itself, but my warranty is up at the end of March, so the clock is ticking. I'm booked in for Tuesday the 18th
03-12-2008 | 12:16 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Greenock, Scotland
My Ride: BMW 520i, March 2004, Silver Grey, 68000 Miles, PDC, DIY iPod Setup with remote control, GLOVE BOX TORCH- YES!
It might only be a 520i, but you've got to start somewhere! It's my first decent ride, and I'm still only 22. And unlike some this ain't Daddy's - it's all mine!
Another update unfortunately. On my trip home from work today, I noticed that now the rear defog isnt working. 5 minutes after turning it on to clear a half fogged rear window, there were no typical "bars" where the elements are. Instead it was only slightly less foggy - I guess thanks to the heating... that only comes out at minimal speed!!!
Starting to panic now. The problem is spreading
Starting to panic now. The problem is spreading
07-28-2008 | 05:18 AM
#7
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Toulouse, France
My Ride: BMW 545i 12/2003 Black , interior Black Dakota leather. Shadow line. Heating steering wheel.
Head-UP Display, Navigation Professional, Hifi, Comfort seats, heating seats, professional phone, chassis sport (don't know the translation.. ) Alarm, Skibag.
Originally Posted by wrathalanche' post='543680' date='Mar 12 2008, 09:16 PM
Another update unfortunately. On my trip home from work today, I noticed that now the rear defog isnt working. 5 minutes after turning it on to clear a half fogged rear window, there were no typical "bars" where the elements are. Instead it was only slightly less foggy - I guess thanks to the heating... that only comes out at minimal speed!!!
Starting to panic now. The problem is spreading
Starting to panic now. The problem is spreading
Did you sorted out?
What was the defective part?
07-28-2008 | 05:23 AM
#8
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Greenock, Scotland
My Ride: BMW 520i, March 2004, Silver Grey, 68000 Miles, PDC, DIY iPod Setup with remote control, GLOVE BOX TORCH- YES!
It might only be a 520i, but you've got to start somewhere! It's my first decent ride, and I'm still only 22. And unlike some this ain't Daddy's - it's all mine!
Originally Posted by diedie' post='634083' date='Jul 28 2008, 01:18 PM
Hi!
Did you sorted out?
What was the defective part?
Did you sorted out?
What was the defective part?
It kinda troubled me at first because I was worried it would just come back constantly and disappear every time I took it back to the garage (which is what happened when I DID take it in) but its now been 3 or 4 months and its never reappeared.
So no new parts, no work done whatsoever, it just went away. Sorry I couldn't help out anyone else with this problem.
07-28-2008 | 07:11 AM
#9
Members
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Toulouse, France
My Ride: BMW 545i 12/2003 Black , interior Black Dakota leather. Shadow line. Heating steering wheel.
Head-UP Display, Navigation Professional, Hifi, Comfort seats, heating seats, professional phone, chassis sport (don't know the translation.. ) Alarm, Skibag.
Originally Posted by wrathalanche' post='634087' date='Jul 28 2008, 02:23 PM
It just went away
It kinda troubled me at first because I was worried it would just come back constantly and disappear every time I took it back to the garage (which is what happened when I DID take it in) but its now been 3 or 4 months and its never reappeared.
So no new parts, no work done whatsoever, it just went away. Sorry I couldn't help out anyone else with this problem.
It kinda troubled me at first because I was worried it would just come back constantly and disappear every time I took it back to the garage (which is what happened when I DID take it in) but its now been 3 or 4 months and its never reappeared.
So no new parts, no work done whatsoever, it just went away. Sorry I couldn't help out anyone else with this problem.
10-20-2008 | 10:36 AM
#10
Contributors
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 3
From: Kajaani, Finland
My Ride: Bmw 530d 2004
D'oh! 
I'm having exactly the same problem as member wrathalanche had.
The heater fan won't go higher than setting 2. I guess I have to order part number 2 in this picture Blower unit and replace it.
If just anyone could confirm that this really is the problem
. Bruce miranda? Ricracing?
I have TIS so I'm going to change it myself and I don't think it's going to be too hard. But I would like to be sure that nothing else could cause this.
Whatever, I'm not going to stress too much about it.
I'm having exactly the same problem as member wrathalanche had.
The heater fan won't go higher than setting 2. I guess I have to order part number 2 in this picture Blower unit and replace it.
If just anyone could confirm that this really is the problem
. Bruce miranda? Ricracing?I have TIS so I'm going to change it myself and I don't think it's going to be too hard. But I would like to be sure that nothing else could cause this.
Whatever, I'm not going to stress too much about it
.