HVAC Controler Went Dark

[Kansas99+323ic]

My HVAC controller went dark, then reactivated, then went dark again and looks like it is dead. First problem with the controller in 20-years of ownership. 1999 323ic (e36) 87,000 miles - original owner.
Any ideas?

[Kansas99+323ic]

UPDATE: Started car up again a few minutes ago and connected an OBDII reader - no codes. HVAC controller lit up again, then went out, then on again, then out again. I heard a change in sound under the hood each time there was a change in condition. Any ideas?

[shogun]

First of all check the plugs on the backside of the controller

[E36mode]

Probably the resistor problem everyone has with the digital HVAC controller. If you don't want to fix yours let me know. I have an extra one I can sell or trade that's already been fixed.

[shogun]

a capacitor has to be replaced . here the repair: BMW E36 Climate Control Repair
Is your E36 climate control display dark? Do buttons lighten up and darken randomly, with button illumination apparently unrelated to what the heater and A/C are actually doing at the moment? Does it turn off and reset itself randomly?
The original capacitor is 0.47 uF

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...rol-repair.htm

[Kansas99+323ic]

Update: I did the Pelicanparts repair. Everything works great now.

Here's my response to PelicanParts:

"Update: It was the capacitor. I bought a lot of 5 off eBay for $2.49 5 x 0.47uF 50V Multilayer Monolithic Ceramic Capacitor. Easy Fix. One comment - I pried off the old capacitor carefully without a soldering iron. It left holes to insert the new one and helped me figure out where the connections were on the other side of the board. THANKS!"