Blower motor....not blowing

[elerner61]

All the HVAC controls/lights are functioning as usual it's just that there is no sign of life from the blower fan on the way to the office this morning. I restarted the car a few times when I got to the office but no change in behavior. Couldn't find any previous threads on a similar problem.

I was going to start with looking for a blown fuse. Anyone know what fuse# I would start with, and then what a good troubleshooting process from there on would be? (relays, etc...)

Thanks in advance. (anyone know how accessible the blower motor is?)

[Stromtech]

Here is one..http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271321
seems they could be different for different years and possibly different countries

[Jmanscotch]

FSR might be a possible culprit, try a search for it.

FSR = Final Stage Resistor

[elerner61]

Thanks for the tip on the FSR. I also see it referred to as the FSU and the Blower Motor Resistor. Has anyone changed one on an e85/e86? How long will it take? I can only find one DIY for the Z4 and it's on Bimmerfest which I can't access at work. I wonder if there is any way to determine if it's the FSR before just throwing a part at the problem?

Or, does anyone have access to their TIS now who could possibly look and find out what kind of a job this is? I was able to access that Bimmerfest post, but it didn't have any info other than the poster saying that the FSR on a Z4 seems more difficult to access on other BMW's.

[elerner61]

So, from the TIS it also seems to have another name: the "Heater-AC/Fan Controller". To get at it, the center vent, radio (to release a hold) and then the glove box and panel containing knee airbag have to come off.

Maybe if it was spring/summer or if I had a warmer garage, I would attempt it. Problem is with me, things tend to break when I'm futzing around to get things off and the parts are cold.

Think I'll bring it to my local shop (probably $225 to install a $60 part, ticks me off a little)

[Huz-Z]

Well. That sucks.

[elerner61]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Well. That sucks.

Yup. On the plus side, from my research it doesn't seem like many Z4 folks have had either their Blower Motor Resistor/FRS/FRU go bad or their Blower Motor go bad. So hopefully I'll get at least 4 years out of this repair

[elerner61]

Question: In the fusebox, #57 is for the "Heated Blower" from what I can tell. Is that a relay? Fuse? Can I test it with a multimeter for continuity, since it's not a standard fuse?

Thx.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by elerner61

Yup. On the plus side, from my research it doesn't seem like many Z4 folks have had either their Blower Motor Resistor/FRS/FRU go bad or their Blower Motor go bad. So hopefully I'll get at least 4 years out of this repair

That is good to know!

by the way, I hope it was clear that I was trying to inject a chuckle, through a play on words, into a serious chat, and not trying to make light of your concern. I would be quite upset to have any issue with my car.

As a semi-related comment, during the summer, a chap posting here with an automatic transmission and paddle shifter equipped Z4 eventually found out that the fan motor or the resistor's failure was somehow causing his paddle shifters not to work. Clearly, the wiring of these cars , regardless of transmission option, is not simple.

cheers,

[elerner61]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

by the way, I hope it was clear that I was trying to inject a chuckle, through a play on words, into a serious chat, and not trying to make light of your concern. I would be quite upset to have any issue with my car.

No worries. As much as many of us get concerned when we have an issue with our car, we really must try and keep the proper perspective: it's just a possession and even in the worst of cases can be replaced by $$. That said, I wish I could follow my own words. It's grinding away at me a bit that I can't easily get to the stupid Blower Motor Resistor to swap the part myself and get on the road to fixing the problem.

Oh, and those larger relays/fuses in the fusebox? They are MAXI large format blade fuses. I pulled the one for the "Heated Blower" last night, the two fuses for Heater/Air Conditioner as well as disconnected the battery for 30 seconds just to do "everything I could" to try and fix the problem.

I can understand high technology items failing, but a hvac blower? Pain in the ass.

[Ron Stygar]

Originally Posted by elerner61

All the HVAC controls/lights are functioning as usual it's just that there is no sign of life from the blower fan on the way to the office this morning. I restarted the car a few times when I got to the office but no change in behavior. Couldn't find any previous threads on a similar problem.

I was going to start with looking for a blown fuse. Anyone know what fuse# I would start with, and then what a good troubleshooting process from there on would be? (relays, etc...)

Thanks in advance. (anyone know how accessible the blower motor is?)

http://wds.spaghetticoder.org/us/

[elerner61]

I heard back from my shop around 3pm today. It's a blown Final Stage Resistor/Final Stage Unit/Blower Motor Resistor. They're getting the part tomorrow.

[chickdr]

So what is the estimate for the repair? I would also bet $2-300

[elerner61]

Originally Posted by chickdr

So what is the estimate for the repair? I would also bet $2-300

I didn't ask (figured if I fall on the floor, it would have better affect in front of him then over the phone). On the high side it could be 2 hours labor plus the part and tax...that's $400 in these parts.

This is only my second dealing with him. First was inspection 1 stuff including valve adjustments. He's not cheap, but he's a bimmer specialist with around 25 years or so experience. I'd rather keep him in business than feed the dealer's pockets.

[elerner61]

Came to $340, parts, labor (2hrs@$130) and tax. Not cheap, but what I'd call reasonable.

[Shipkiller]

BMW = Bring Money Withyou....

If you remember this, everything falls into place....

[myfirstbeemer]

I think Im falling under the Bring money with you catagory at the moment. Still cant locate fuse 61 and cant figure out why my fan wont come on.

[antennahead]

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

BMW = Bring Money Withyou....

If you remember this, everything falls into place....

Or as others have said, "Bring My Wallet"

[antennahead]

Originally Posted by elerner61

No worries. As much as many of us get concerned when we have an issue with our car, we really must try and keep the proper perspective: it's just a possession and even in the worst of cases can be replaced by $$. That said, I wish I could follow my own words. It's grinding away at me a bit that I can't easily get to the stupid Blower Motor Resistor to swap the part myself and get on the road to fixing the problem.

Oh, and those larger relays/fuses in the fusebox? They are MAXI large format blade fuses. I pulled the one for the "Heated Blower" last night, the two fuses for Heater/Air Conditioner as well as disconnected the battery for 30 seconds just to do "everything I could" to try and fix the problem.

I can understand high technology items failing, but a hvac blower? Pain in the ass.

+1 I feel your pain. I love driving my Z4M, but damn, sometimes I just feel BMW over-engineers things

[elerner61]

Originally Posted by myfirstbeemer

I think Im falling under the Bring money with you catagory at the moment. Still cant locate fuse 61 and cant figure out why my fan wont come on.

Find an honest independent BMW mechanic. You'll eventually (like now) need him.

[Shipkiller]

This is for myfirstbeemer: