2001 525it Climate Control Issues

[jaredmac11]

This morning I pressed Auto for my climate control and the blower fans never settled down. Blew at half their speed even after turning off auto, manually turning down the fan to the first setting, even after pushing all the way to the left and turning the whole system off.

I got to my destination and turned off the car and the blower was still going at some speed.

Get back to my car this afternoon and it won't start. Something tells me it kept blowing?

Why is this happening and what can I do?

[djb2]

First step: make certain that you have jump start cables in the car.

Your FSU (Final Stage Resistor/Unit) has gone bad. Some go bad by not operating the fan. Others go bad by shorting and having the fan run continuously.

I've had a good few years with a $20 eBay part that I bought in August 2013 as a "temporary" replacement. Others think that buying the part from BMW is the safest choice.

It only takes a minute to remove the part if you are triple jointed and know exactly how to do it. Otherwise, lay on your back in the passenger footwell, reach up, and it will be just out of reach because your arm can't twist that way.

[jaredmac11]

Awesome! Unfortunately my wife loaned out the jumper cables without giving me a heads up...

Road side assistance enroute and I just picked up a part online.

[StephenVA]

Yep you have a dead FSU. PULL THE FUSE,!

[djb2]

The fuse is forward of the glove box. It's a royal PITA to remove. It makes more sense to pull the failed FSU, and you'll be halfway to the replacement.

[jaredmac11]

Pelican Parts had a Behr replacement for $30 and got the part out to me in, I think, a day. I was really impressed. All is well now.

Thumbs up for pelican parts. Went to them because they had the cheapest option but man was I thrilled that I had a working part in my hands in no time

[geargrinder]

If it acts up again soon look around on my recent posts about lubing the connector. ALthough "always on" failure means your connections were for sure good and the FSU (F$#*%ing Stupid Unit) was indeed dying inside... just mentioning it in case the new one acts funny as the weather gets colder...