Blower on E39 stopped working
 

The blower on my 97 528 has stopped working. There is air coming through
(low volume) but when I select the screen demister or select a high fan
speed nothing happens. Any suggestions? The fuses seem fine. Is this a
home repair job?

Thanks for any help.

Alan G

In article >,
AlanG > wrote:
> The blower on my 97 528 has stopped working. There is air coming through
> (low volume) but when I select the screen demister or select a high fan
> speed nothing happens. Any suggestions? The fuses seem fine. Is this a
> home repair job?

Assuming the display is still normal, the likely cause is the resistor
which controls the fan speed. It's a very common failure.

It's located between the heater and the bulkhead on the (UK) driver's
side. You need to remove the panel at the top of the driver's footwell,
and the carpet strip on the side of the transmission tunnel.

You can't see the unit - only the plug. Obtaining a new one before
starting will make identifying slightly easier. There's a clip you need to
depress before removing - a bit fiddly. An agile teenager (if you can find
one with the patience) might help. ;-)

IIRC, the part is called the final stage resistor and costs about 50 gbp.
Think it's a dealer only option, but worth trying Eurocarparts.

I've had three in my 528. The latest one has lasted best, so may be a
better design.

--
*Can fat people go skinny-dipping?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article >,
> wrote:
> I've had similar problems on a citroen, the resistor is infact four
> heavy coils of wire which can be switched in series according to the fan
> switch. At the output there's a heavy duty diode.

> In my case the resistor pack was about forty quid or so, I had a look at
> it and checked the diode; it was open circuit. I replaced the diode for
> about fifty pence. No problems since.

I'd assumed I'd be able to repair the BMW one too, in some way. No chance.

It's all potted in a strange shaped metal case. I've heard it called a
hedgehog by some.

--
*If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> AlanG > wrote:
>> The blower on my 97 528 has stopped working. There is air coming through
>> (low volume) but when I select the screen demister or select a high fan
>> speed nothing happens. Any suggestions? The fuses seem fine. Is this a
>> home repair job?
>
> Assuming the display is still normal, the likely cause is the resistor
> which controls the fan speed. It's a very common failure.
>
> It's located between the heater and the bulkhead on the (UK) driver's
> side. You need to remove the panel at the top of the driver's footwell,
> and the carpet strip on the side of the transmission tunnel.
>
> You can't see the unit - only the plug. Obtaining a new one before
> starting will make identifying slightly easier. There's a clip you need to
> depress before removing - a bit fiddly. An agile teenager (if you can find
> one with the patience) might help. ;-)

Thanks for the reply Dave. The display is working as normal. Why do you
think resistor rather than the fan unit? Is it because there is a low
volume of air coming through? Thanks. Alan

In article >,
AlanG > wrote:
> Thanks for the reply Dave. The display is working as normal. Why do
> you think resistor rather than the fan unit? Is it because there is a
> low volume of air coming through? Thanks. Alan

Because it's a *very* common problem. The symptoms range from the blower
changing speed by itself, sticking on full, not working at all, and any
combinations thereof. ;-)

--
*If all is not lost, where the hell is it?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> AlanG > wrote:
>> Thanks for the reply Dave. The display is working as normal. Why do
>> you think resistor rather than the fan unit? Is it because there is a
>> low volume of air coming through? Thanks. Alan
>
> Because it's a *very* common problem. The symptoms range from the blower
> changing speed by itself, sticking on full, not working at all, and any
> combinations thereof. ;-)

Yes! I recognise all these symptons. They occurred in the months prior to
the blower breaking down. Many thanks Dave.