E36 M3: A/C and Heat not blowing

[jdmrolla]

A/C stopped working today and I tested the Heat but no air coming through the vents at any speed. I can hear the A/c compressor when I put it on, but no air blowing though the vent. I tested the relay, but thats fine. I'm thinking its either the blower motor or the resistor. any thing else it could be?? How can I determine which one it is? like how can I test the resistor without having to drop money and then figure out that its the motor?

For those with experience, is the blower motor something that's relativity easy to replace? I know the location, but haven't actually looked into digging into it.

Thanks

[dworthy]

If you have the "AUTO" function, then I am willing to bet a shinny nickle that it is the FSR - Final Stage Resistor. It is located in the drivers footwell behind the lower foot vents.

[jdmrolla]

If you have the "AUTO" function, then I am willing to bet a shinny nickle that it is the FSR - Final Stage Resistor. It is located in the drivers footwell behind the lower foot vents.

THANKS!

UPDATE for those who may come across this in the future with the same problem. It was indeed the FSR(Final Stage Resistor). It's a bit of a pain to get to, but nothing you could not do yourself with a little time to save yourself money.

Local auto parts store had part in stock for $44, I'm sure you can get it cheaper online, but I didn't want to wait.

If you have a bently manual, it is useful, but I also found this DIY pretty good:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...-Resistor-pack

[bmwdirtracer]

This is indeed the most common failure -- BY FAR -- when the problem is "no blower". I'd like to make two additional points, for those who might read this thread:

1) Check the blower fuse first.
2) NEVER buy the FSR at the local auto parts place, or e-bay. It will always be Chinese, and you'll likely have to replace it again in a week, if it works at all. Then, if it doesn't work at all, you'll assume that you have a different problem! Buy an OEM part from a quality supplier, like RM European, or buy a genuine BMW part.

[jdmrolla]

2) NEVER buy the FSR at the local auto parts place, or e-bay. It will always be Chinese, and you'll likely have to replace it again in a week, if it works at all. Then, if it doesn't work at all, you'll assume that you have a different problem! Buy an OEM part from a quality supplier, like RM European, or buy a genuine BMW part.

I think they all might be Chinese now, correct me if I'm wrong, but the FSR I got was from BEHR, which from what I read is OEM and the old unit was also BEHR, but it said on the box that it was "made in China."

[bmwdirtracer]

First Febi, then Meyle, now Behr...... the world as we know it is no more.

[dworthy]

+1, time to only buy Bosch and Siemens, for they haven't sold out to China yet.....

[TwistedMetal]

Are all the 96-99 fsr wiring set ups the same?

[dworthy]

Yes, there is no real difference between the years. I wouldn't put a used one, since you don't know how long it will last.

[TwistedMetal]

Yes, there is no real difference between the years. I wouldn't put a used one, since you don't know how long it will last.

Im looking to check for power. I have a customer who pulled the relays/fuses with the car live.

[dworthy]

Now that maybe different, check the online ETM's.