328SE Auto - Heater Control access?

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Terry Pinnell - 01 Nov 2006 17:12 GMT

I have a 1996 BMW 328SE Auto. There's some intermittent fault causing
the fan and control panel to go off for periods of anything from a few
seconds to all day. It's as if there's a loose wire, dirty circuit
board connection, dry solder joint, or something like that. Here's a
photo:
http://www.terrypin.dial.pipex.com/Images/BMW-HeaterControl1.jpg
That LCD panel should be showing the dual temperatures set, and the
fan level. Sometimes it reappears (and the fan starts blowing again)
after I go over a bump.

Before I bite the bullet and bankrupt myself at a BMW dealer, I was
hoping to get a look at it myself. But I'm darned if I can see how to
access it. Even if I get the radio out, I don't see how that will
help. Is there some special tool needed? Anyone able to help please?

Failing that, anyone know of a 'BMW specialist' (i.e. not a dealer, so
not charging BMW dealer rates) anywhere within say 30 miles of East
Grinstead please? Local garage couldn't help.

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Terry, West Sussex, UK

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Jeremy - 01 Nov 2006 17:23 GMT

> I have a 1996 BMW 328SE Auto. There's some intermittent fault causing
> the fan and control panel to go off for periods of anything from a few
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> not charging BMW dealer rates) anywhere within say 30 miles of East
> Grinstead please? Local garage couldn't help.

On the E39 similar symptoms may be experienced if the "final stage
resistor" (aka hedgehog) fails - part for the E39 is circa £50 IIRC and
quite DIY-able (although fiddly).

HTH helps - suggest you google for "final stage resistor" plus your E
number

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jeremy
['01 BMW 530iA SE Touring]

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JB - 01 Nov 2006 17:30 GMT

This is a really well known problem with the Climate Control pcb.
Have alook at this link: http://www.macadamizer.com/bmwfix.html
If you don't fancy the soldering work yourself, let me know.
Regards,
JB

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Jeremy - 01 Nov 2006 17:32 GMT

> This is a really well known problem with the Climate Control pcb.
> Have alook at this link: http://www.macadamizer.com/bmwfix.html
> If you don't fancy the soldering work yourself, let me know.

Sounds like I was way off beam with my response then.

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jeremy
['01 BMW 530iA SE Touring]

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JB - 01 Nov 2006 17:50 GMT

> > This is a really well known problem with the Climate Control pcb.
> > Have alook at this link: http://www.macadamizer.com/bmwfix.html
> > If you don't fancy the soldering work yourself, let me know.
>
> Sounds like I was way off beam with my response then.

If the OP's only problem was the fan itself being intermittent, then I'd say
you could have been in the right ballpark.
I've come across this same problem and also one with the sensing thermistor
several times.

JB

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Terry Pinnell - 02 Nov 2006 12:16 GMT

>> I have a 1996 BMW 328SE Auto. There's some intermittent fault causing
>> the fan and control panel to go off for periods of anything from a few
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>Regards,
>JB

Thanks both, that PCB problem sure does look like what I have here. I
reckon I might have a go at the repair. But after rushing out to the
car on reading the first step...

"First thing you have to do is get the Climate Control computer out of
the car. To do that, first you have to get your Multi-Function Display
out of the way. This is very easy; put your hand into your sunglass or
whatever slot, put your fingers through the hole in the top of the
holder, and push the MFD forward to pop it out."

... it looks like I'm stuck at Step 1! I've pushed and wriggled my
fingers through that hole but I'm darned if I can get the unit out.
Its top edge tilts out a bit, but no movement at the bottom edge.

If I decided instead to throw money at it, anyone have any idea what
it might cost me please?

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Terry, West Sussex, UK

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JB - 02 Nov 2006 14:50 GMT

> >> I have a 1996 BMW 328SE Auto. There's some intermittent fault causing
> >> the fan and control panel to go off for periods of anything from a few
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
> If I decided instead to throw money at it, anyone have any idea what
> it might cost me please?

To replace at a dealer, about £300-400 plus labour. As I said, if you get
really stuck, I'm up in Surrey/Sussex quite often. Drop me an email on
jmbyrne_AT_greenyonder.co.uk
(changing 'green' to 'blue' obviously)

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Terry Pinnell - 02 Nov 2006 16:56 GMT

>> >> I have a 1996 BMW 328SE Auto. There's some intermittent fault causing
>> >> the fan and control panel to go off for periods of anything from a few
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
>jmbyrne_AT_greenyonder.co.uk
>(changing 'green' to 'blue' obviously)

Thanks - I've emailed you.

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Terry, West Sussex, UK

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JB - 02 Nov 2006 21:14 GMT

>>> >> I have a 1996 BMW 328SE Auto. There's some intermittent fault causing
>>> >> the fan and control panel to go off for periods of anything from a
[quoted text clipped - 46 lines]
>
> Thanks - I've emailed you.

Replied.

JB

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