No difference between setting 2-3 on AC speed.

[Creesic]

Hey guys, been a while. I'm happy to have been reunited with my car after being away for a couple of months.
Unfortunately, I've come back to Florida's deathly summer heat, so I've decided to fix a couple of issues with my AC.
I've got a huge (plugged) hole in my condenser, as there's dye all over the bottom right quadrant (yet it still holds pressure) and my blower only has three speeds, and I'm not sure why.

When the speed control is set to 0, nothing happens. Going that long way counterclockwise to the 1 setting also does nothing. 2 Makes the blower blow at a speed I believe 2 should, and 3 is exactly the same. There's no audible increase in speed, and it doesn't feel like it's blowing harder. 4 is nuts, and blows just like I think it should. What exactly is going on?

Is this the culprit?
546729

Or is it something else in the wiring somewhere else? Any information is appreciated :)

[PorscheH6]

Yeah, I had that problem once way back, I replaced the part in your hand with a working unit and all was well again.

[corcovado]

I have this problem too, 0 and 1 are out, but 3 and 4 work at different speeds, what is the P/N of the thing in the picture? I wasn't aware they sold the knobs separately from the main A/C unit (on a 540 at least).

[Creesic]

I have this problem too, 0 and 1 are out, but 3 and 4 work at different speeds, what is the P/N of the thing in the picture? I wasn't aware they sold the knobs separately from the main A/C unit (on a 540 at least).
It unscrews from the base.
I can list off all of the numbers I see on the plastic, but I wouldn't know for a part number.

The numbers here are:
E 34 64 11
8 351 122
063992

I see how it works now... looking into the fins on the side. I wonder if I can pull it apart...

[demetk]

I cut the fins off and was able to clean each contact with fine sandpaper.

[Creesic]

That made it work?

[nonturbodan]

My 95 was doing that with settings 3 and 4. The fan ran on 3 in either position. I flicked the switch a few times and it started working. Been good ever since.

[Creesic]

It's actually cool how this works. I've already cut it open, and now need to figure out how to get this thing back inside, but dang...
546735546736

[corcovado]

64118351122 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part?id=HE53-USA-07-1995-E34-BMW-540i&mg=64&sg=20&diagId=64_0566&q=64118351122)? $200 new damn.

Is there any way to open it up and clean it without causing permanent damage?

[Creesic]

64118351122 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part?id=HE53-USA-07-1995-E34-BMW-540i&mg=64&sg=20&diagId=64_0566&q=64118351122)? $200 new damn.

Is there any way to open it up and clean it without causing permanent damage?
Oh.


Oh...



Okay...


I gotta make sure this thing works...

[demetk]

It's actually cool how this works. I've already cut it open, and now need to figure out how to get this thing back inside, but dang...
546735546736

I didn't disassemble it, I just cut the ribs and slid some sandpaper between the contacts. They were a bit pitted and that made the speeds work again. YMMV.

Kind of weird to see how the the contacts work as you turn the knob. How does the variable speed setting before 1 work? Looks like there's a rheostat on the back of it.

[Creesic]

There is another add-on potentiometer on the back of the whole thing. Probably that.

[AZDinanE34]

This is some good info and helpful. Mine also has an issue where 1-fine, 2-same speed as 1, 3-fine, 4-fine.

[Creesic]

Well, I guess you just have to fidget with the thing a little to get it back inside correctly. It's all together now, but I'm gonna clean up those contact tomorrow and see what it does.

[corcovado]

Well, thanks for starting this thread and getting people to respond - encouraged me to tackle this job today since it's the weekend, happy to report that after taking the switch out and cleaning all the contacts, I have all 4 speeds back! Super awesome! Was getting tired of driving around with a hurricane blowing in my face.

Taking the panel out isn't that hard, even with an aftermarket stereo cage on top. Hardest part is the stupid cables, getting the holders to click back into place required a lot of fiddling. For the record I did not cut the plastic fins out, just wrapped a thin piece of sandpaper over a toothpick and stuck it between all 4 contacts about 15-20 times. Also cleaned the contacts on top, both first with 220 grit, then 800. $200 saved! (I guess you could also buy a used panel on eBay for $20, but who wants to do that).