Hey all, I've got an '01 330xi with some climate control problems.
The posts I read make me want to blame the Final Stage Unit, but I'd
like to be sure. I used to have an older Audi (yes, I know it's
dangerous to say that in a BMW forum), and it had a built in
diagnostic system you could tap into through the climate control
display. Does my car have something like that?
Dave Plowman (News) - 16 May 2007 09:13 GMT
> Hey all, I've got an '01 330xi with some climate control problems.
> The posts I read make me want to blame the Final Stage Unit, but I'd
> like to be sure. I used to have an older Audi (yes, I know it's
> dangerous to say that in a BMW forum), and it had a built in
> diagnostic system you could tap into through the climate control
> display. Does my car have something like that?
If the blower speed has a mind of its own - or sometimes doesn't run at
all or goes to full - while the speed display is normal, 99.99% the final
stage resistor. In auto, however, it does vary its speed until near the
correct temp is reached. And on a cold day after a cold start if heat is
called for it won't blow hard until the engine warms up.

Signature
*What are the pink bits in my tyres? Cyclists & Joggers*
Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
Brian Lam - 16 May 2007 11:13 GMT
Not sure if it throws an OBD fault code for this case, if it does, you can
read that error if you have an OBD scanner (there's a 20pin OBDII port in
the footwell at the driver side)
B
On 5/16/07 6:06 AM, in article
1179291976.342907.147610@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com, "nhartley"
> Hey all, I've got an '01 330xi with some climate control problems.
> The posts I read make me want to blame the Final Stage Unit, but I'd
> like to be sure. I used to have an older Audi (yes, I know it's
> dangerous to say that in a BMW forum), and it had a built in
> diagnostic system you could tap into through the climate control
> display. Does my car have something like that?
admin - 16 May 2007 15:14 GMT
> Not sure if it throws an OBD fault code for this case, if it does, you can
> read that error if you have an OBD scanner (there's a 20pin OBDII port in
> the footwell at the driver side)
>
> B
No OBD codes - those are for emissions components and systems only.
Replacement is the test for this component. There are tests you can do
with a dedicated computer/BMW-code scanning tool - but since these tools
start at $500 - that makes buying one for this test not a rational thing
to do. A dealer could diagnose it for you - cost is typically 1 hour
labor - which in the US is running from $100-125/hour. Again - not a
rational thing to do with a $40 part.
Given the behavior you describe - as Dave said - its about 99% certain
it's the final-stage-resistor.
nhartley - 16 May 2007 17:00 GMT
> > Not sure if it throws an OBD fault code for this case, if it does, you can
> > read that error if you have an OBD scanner (there's a 20pin OBDII port in
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Given the behavior you describe - as Dave said - its about 99% certain
> it's the final-stage-resistor.
Thanks all for your suggestions. The symptoms are very much the same
as has been described, so I guess I'll just get the part and see.
Brian, you say it's a $40 part. Do you know where you saw that price?
Everything I see is about $65 and up....
nhartley - 16 May 2007 17:39 GMT
> > > Not sure if it throws an OBD fault code for this case, if it does, you can
> > > read that error if you have an OBD scanner (there's a 20pin OBDII port in
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -
Sorry, it was admin that said it, not Brian.
nhartley - 16 May 2007 19:00 GMT
> > > Not sure if it throws an OBD fault code for this case, if it does, you can
> > > read that error if you have an OBD scanner (there's a 20pin OBDII port in
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -
Sorry, that was admin, not Brian.
admin - 16 May 2007 19:09 GMT
>>>> Not sure if it throws an OBD fault code for this case, if it does, you can
>>>> read that error if you have an OBD scanner (there's a 20pin OBDII port in
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> Sorry, that was admin, not Brian.
Try visiting http://www.bmw-auto-parts-dealer.com - they're a dealer in
NJ who discounts for everyone 20%.. that might make it a $50 part..
nhartley - 18 May 2007 03:43 GMT
> >>>> Not sure if it throws an OBD fault code for this case, if it does, you can
> >>>> read that error if you have an OBD scanner (there's a 20pin OBDII port in
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -
Very cool. Thanks!